Heidelberg UNESCO City of Literature Writer in Residence 2026

Kulturstiftung Rhein-Neckar-Kreis e.V., in cooperation with Heidelberg UNESCO City of Literature, is calling for applications for the biennial residency programme from 13 April to 13 July 2026. The resident will stay in the Commandant’s House Dilsberg, at Dilsberg Fortress, in Neckargemünd (approximately 14 km from Heidelberg).

Candidates have the possibility to apply as team of two artists (grant holder and co-fellow) as two sleeping rooms are available (individual application is necessary). The co-recipient should also have his/her own artistic expertise, which has not necessarily to be in the literary field (could be translation for instance, but also such as music, visual arts, performing arts, film, etc.).

Both artistic personalities have to demonstrate an artistic or interdisciplinary cooperation and should be personally well acquainted to each other. It is not essential that the co-grantee is from a UNESCO City of Literature. The co-grantee will be provided with the same financial resources as the grant holder.

Application requirements

• Registered residence in a UNESCO City of literature (main grant holder)
• Publication of at least one book (prose, essay, narration, poetry, etc.) by an official/independent publisher (main grant holder)
• Good to very good knowledge of German and/or English
• Willingness to participate in local literary life (Dilsberg or Heidelberg) e.g. talks with protagonist of the regional literary scene arranged by the grant donors

Benefits

• Total value max. 3,750 EUR per person: subsistence allowance of 1,350 EUR per person (15 EUR per day) and monthly allowance/pocket money of 750 EUR per person
• Travel allowance (international flights, economy class) of up to 1,000 EUR
• Public transportation ticket for the Rhine-Neckar public transport network (VRN) limited to the duration of the stay
• Accommodation 

Heidelberg UNESCO City of Literature Residence 2026 application guidelines 

Deadline: 17 September 2025