Since 1985, the Alfred Döblin Prize Foundation has awarded a scholarship for a residency at the Alfred Döblin House in Wewelsfleth (Schleswig-Holstein). Günter Grass gave the house to the federal state of Berlin specifically to support and promote writers. The Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion provides the scholarship funds for the Alfred Döblin Prize Foundation. The scholarship is subject to the availability of funds. The Akademie der Künste supervises the scholarship holders and manages the Alfred Döblin House.

Multi-storey brick house surrounded by meadows and trees — Back side of the Döblin House
© Marcus Jensen

The purpose of the Alfred Döblin Scholarship is to promote Berlin-based writers who have proven their ability in previous publications or demonstrated their literary aptitude in work samples (in German). The scholarships are usually awarded for a period of three months.

Each scholarship holder receives a monthly allowance of 2,000 Euros as well as accommodation in the Alfred Döblin House. There is a residence requirement for the duration of the scholarship. The Alfred Döblin House is a listed building and, unfortunately, not barrier-free.

Application

A three-member jury decides on the applications (complete application with synopsis and work samples). The jury is composed of one representative each from the Akademie der Künste, the PEN Centre Germany, and a person appointed by the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion.

The guidelines for awarding Alfred Döblin scholarships (in German) apply.

Applications are only accepted online via the Akademie der Künste’s application portal (in German).

The application deadline for 2026 scholarships ended on 30 September 2025.