Artist’s Residence Dilsberg: Writer in Residence Program

About the Open Call

The Artist’s Residence Dilsberg offers a biennial Writer in Residence Program, with the next call for applications for a residency from April 13 to July 13, 2026. This program, which has previously hosted writers from UNESCO Cities of Literature like Edinburgh, Melbourne, and Jakarta, seeks its fourth writer in residence. It provides a Work Grant awarded by the Kulturstiftung Rhein-Neckar-Kreis e.V. in cooperation with Heidelberg UNESCO City of Literature. The residency takes place at the historic Commandant’s House Dilsberg, located within Dilsberg Fortress in Neckargemünd (approx. 14 km from Heidelberg). The Commandant’s House serves as a center for the promotion of art and culture, providing a creative work sphere for grant holders in art, music, and literature. The scholarship duration is 3 months with residence obligation. Candidates can apply individually or as a team of two artists, with two sleeping rooms available. The co-recipient is not strictly required to be from the literary field and can have expertise in areas such as translation, music, visual arts, performing arts, or film, demonstrating artistic or interdisciplinary cooperation. Both artists share a kitchenette and bathroom in the furnished apartment, which is not accessible for disabled persons.

What is Offered

Total value max. €3,750 per person, including a subsistence allowance of €1,350 per person (€15 per day) and a monthly allowance/pocket money of €750 per person. Additional benefits include a travel allowance (international flights, economy class) of up to €1,000 and a public transportation ticket for the Rhine-Neckar public transport network (VRN) limited to the duration of the stay. Residency duration is 3 months.

Requirements

Main grant holder must have a registered residence in a UNESCO City of Literature and have published at least one book (prose, essay, narration, poetry, etc.) by an official/independent publisher. Good to very good knowledge of German and/or English language is required. Willingness to participate in local literary life (Dilsberg or Heidelberg), such as talks with regional literary protagonists, is expected. Candidates may apply as a team of two artists (grant holder and co-fellow), with individual applications necessary for each. The co-recipient should have their own artistic expertise (not necessarily literary, could be translation, music, visual arts, performing arts, film, etc.), and both must demonstrate artistic or interdisciplinary cooperation and be personally well acquainted. The co-grantee is not required to be from a UNESCO City of Literature.

How to Apply

Applicants should fill out the application form(s) completely. Optionally, an excerpt from one of your books (1500 – 3000 words) in German or English and a letter of recommendation can be added. Applications must be sent by e-mail to unesco.creative.city@heidelberg.de by September 17, 2025. For questions, contact via email or phone (+49 6221 5833061 or +49 6221 5833064). The selection is made by the Heidelberg UNESCO City of Literature office and the Board of Trustees of the Rhein-Neckar-Kreis Cultural Foundation.