The Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation, the Book Institute and Literarisches Colloquium Berlin are accepting applications for the Albrecht Lempp Fellowship for 2026
Its aim is to perfect the art of translation and writing in the spirit of literary and translation standards close to Albrecht Lempp, and to commemorate his contribution to Polish-German literary exchange.
The Albrecht Lempp Fellowship is intended for writers from Poland and Germany and for German translators of Polish literature and Polish translators of German-language literature.
Programme
The fellowship programme consists of two one-month stays in the neighbouring country each year:
1) One month at the guesthouse of Literarisches Colloquium Berlin for a Polish writer or translator. The founders cover travel and accommodation costs and pay a scholarship of EUR 1,200.
2) One month in Krakow, at the Book Institute’s Translators’ Collegium, for a German writer or translator. The founders cover travel and accommodation costs and pay a scholarship of EUR 1,200.
Deadlines and application rules
Writers and translators submit applications electronically via the online form. They present their professional achievements to date and a work plan in Polish or German:
https://albrecht-lempp-scholarship.fwpn.org.pl/pl/
The next application deadline is 15 February 2026. The founders will announce the results by the end of March 2026. Fellows will arrange the exact dates of their stay directly with the founders.
Jury
The fellows will be selected by a jury. The Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation, the Book Institute and Literarisches Colloquium Berlin each delegate one jury member.
Contact regarding the Albrecht Lempp Fellowship
Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation
Contact: Joanna Czudec, joanna.czudec@sdpz.org, tel. +48 22 338 62 65
Book Institute
Contact: Łucja Gawkowska, l.gawkowska@instytutksiazki.pl, tel. +48 22 551 59 14
Literarisches Colloquium Berlin
Contact: Jürgen Jakob Becker, becker@lcb.de, tel. +49 30 81699625
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Albrecht Lempp (1953-2012) was an outstanding promoter of Polish literature in Germany and its translator. He laid the foundations of the modern system for promoting Poland through literature. As a co-founder of the Book Institute, he received the Transatlantyk Award for his contributions in this field. For many years he served as director of the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation and made a great contribution to the development of Polish-German relations.
About the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation
The Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation supports good relations between Poles and Germans. Since 1991, FWPN has co-financed over 16,000 bilateral projects, thereby co-creating the foundations of Polish-German understanding. At the heart of FWPN’s activities lies the conviction that Poles and Germans, as equal partners, can work together for modern, open and socially just coexistence in the EU.
The Foundation initiates and implements projects – including study trips, fellowship programmes, publications and debates. Both through grants and through the projects it initiates, FWPN seeks to have an inspiring impact on Polish-German relations.
www.fwpn.org.pl
About the Book Institute
The Book Institute is a national cultural institution whose mission is to promote Polish literature abroad and to promote reading in Poland. The Institute offers, among other things, programmes for Polish authors, translators of Polish literature, foreign publishers and readers.
As part of the Translators’ Collegium established in 2006, the Book Institute organises study stays in Krakow for translators of Polish literature. The Book Institute cooperates with the most important Polish cultural institutions that organise literary events.
In 2016, the Book Institute opened the International Translators’ and Writers’ Collegium at its Krakow headquarters. It offers residential scholarships for translators from around the world, writers and researchers of Polish literature.