Berlin Writer's Residency

Who can apply

To apply you must be:

• a New Zealand citizen or Permanent resident
• an established writer of literature

Read what we mean by an established artist.

Who cannot apply

Previous recipients of the Residency are not eligible to apply.

Before you apply

Get application advice 

Talk to a Literature Practice Adviser about applying to this fund. 

You can talk to them about this fund, your application and your art. 

Read the Terms and Conditions of Funding, so you know how the funding works. 

Get accessibility support 

Talk to a Literature Practice Adviser about your access needs.

If our systems are not accessible for you, we will help you find an accessible way to apply. 

Read more about how we can support your access needs when applying for funding.  

What can be funded

The Residency supports an established writer to complete, or substantially complete, a body of writing during the residency.  

Projects and activities must directly benefit the New Zealand writers and the literature sector.

Creative New Zealand provides an apartment in Friedrichshain in former East Berlin and a stipend of NZD $45,000. The stipend supports travel to Berlin, living, and material costs for 11 months.

Recipients must have health insurance. The cost of this and any additional expenses must be met by the recipient. 

How to apply

Start your application in the CNZ Portal

Application forms are available when the funding round is open. You can submit one application per funding round.
Submissions close at 1.00 PM on the closing date (New Zealand standard time).

Register or sign into the CNZ Portal.

Get help using the CNZ Portal.

Prepare answers to the application questions

• What do you want to do during this residency, and why is being based in Berlin significant to you?
• How will this build on previous work, and why is it important that you do this now?
• How will this allow you to take risks, develop new ideas, and contribute to the growth of your arts practice?
• How do you think this will evolve your creative practice, artform, or your community?

Prepare support material

Add your literary CV, samples of work, letters of support, timeline, or other material to support your application.

You do not need to include a budget in your application.

Read more about support material and which file formats can be attached to your application.

How your application is assessed

Assessment criteria

Your proposal:

• encourages you to take creative risks and develop new ideas
• supports your creative thinking, experimentation and growth in your arts practice
• supports your development by helping you achieve your artistic goals
• is timely and crucial for you to do at this stage in your career

Who assesses your application

Your application is assessed by a panel of Literature peer assessors.

Decision making

The assessment panel make funding recommendations to Creative New Zealand’s Senior leadership team who make the final funding decisions.

Who to talk to