Short Description
The ESSLINGER BAHNWÄRTER scholarship is for the areas of literature (2026) and visual arts (2027). Each scholarship lasts six months and consists of the provision of an artist’s apartment and a monthly maintenance allowance of 1,000 euros.
Literature Scholarship (2026)
Eligibility
The ESSLINGER BAHNWÄRTER scholarship for literature is aimed at German-speaking authors under the age of 40, regardless of their place of residence and nationality. They must have already published an independent literary work that they have not financed themselves in a German-language publishing house. Self-published publications, journalistic texts and publications in anthologies do not meet this requirement.
Patronage
The patronage of the ESSLINGER BAHNWÄRTER for Literature 2026 scholarship is taken over by the Swiss author Hildegard Elisabeth Keller. As a juror, she will select the scholarship holder and give the laudatory speech at the award ceremony.
The scholarship period for the ESSLINGER BAHNWÄRTER scholarship for literature is six months and must begin on 1 June 2026 at the latest. The city of Esslingen am Neckar provides the scholarship holder with an apartment or apartment, and he or she receives a monthly maintenance allowance of 1,000 euros. There is no residence obligation during the scholarship, but a stay of several weeks in the city is desired. The scholarship holders are to integrate themselves into the cultural life of Esslingen, for example by taking part in readings (Esslingen Literature Days lesart).
The scholarship holders should also deal with a current topic of their choice in literature, present their thoughts to the Esslingen audience and release the result for publication. The spectrum of topics can range from reflection on one’s own life contexts to identity-forming questions in the context of society as a whole. The actual question of being human – “what kind of world do I want to live in” – is to be reflected on from a wide variety of perspectives and a literary form is to be implemented. Reference can be made to the upcoming city anniversary of 1,250 years of Esslingen, which will be celebrated in 2027.
Visual Arts (2027)
of participation The ESSLINGER BAHNWÄRTER scholarship for fine arts is primarily aimed at artists and art historians, regardless of age or nationality and regardless of residence, who have proven curatorial experience. Proficiency in German or English is required.
A pre-selection of the scholarship holders for fine arts is made by a jury of experts. After the pre-selection, the applicants will be invited to Esslingen am Neckar for an interview about the proposed project. The jury will then decide on the awarding of the scholarship.
Procedure and content
The scholarship period for the ESSLINGER BAHNWÄRTER scholarship for visual arts is six months and must begin on 1 June 2027 at the latest. The city of Esslingen am Neckar provides the scholarship holder with an apartment and receives a monthly maintenance allowance of 1,000 euros. There is no residence obligation during the scholarship, but a stay of several weeks in the city is desired. The scholarship holders should integrate themselves into the cultural life of Esslingen, for example by taking part in cultural events (City in Flux, …).
The ESSLINGER BAHNWÄRTER scholarship for visual arts promotes curatorial processes and curatorial thinking. The aim at the end of the scholarship period is to realize an exhibition, an artistic or a discursive project within the program of the Gallery of the City of Esslingen am Neckar, be it in the Villa Merkel and/or in the Merkelpark. The projects realized within the framework of the scholarship focus on current social issues as well as aspects of contemporary art. Reference can be made to the upcoming city anniversary of 1,250 years of Esslingen, which will be celebrated in 2027. Implementing exhibitions and projects always means mediation; therefore, a discursively critical reflection of the content on display is also expected, ideally opening up new target groups.
Submission Requirements
- Cover letter (max. 1 page)
- Short curriculum vitae with biographical information, including scholarships, awards, and previous publications
- Questionnaire
- Exposé (max. two DIN A4 pages) for the work to be worked on during the fellowship
- Work sample (max. 10 DIN A4 pages) of the work to be worked on during the scholarship
- Examples of work about the previous literary work (max. 10 DIN A4 pages, not a whole book)
How to Apply
Please send your application to kulturamt@esslingen.de
Program Benefits & Awards
Each scholarship lasts six months and consists of the provision of an artist’s apartment and a monthly maintenance allowance of 1,000 euros.
Entry Fee
None
Location
Esslingen am Neckar, Germany
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 1 February 2026
Website Link: https://www.esslingen.de/bahnwaerter
