City of Vienna - Subsidies for Literature - Scholarships for Viennese Dramatists of the City of Vienna

What you get

You will receive 1,500 EUR per month for 12 months, making a total of 18,000 euros, paid monthly from January to December. This is a working grant for the completion or development of a major writing project in the field of dramatic literature, such as a play, a film or television script, an opera libretto or a radio play. The funding comes from ‘Stadt Wien Kultur’, the City of Vienna’s Department of Culture, which awards up to 12 such grants each year.

Who can apply

• Where you live: Vienna has been your main place of residence for at least 3 years.
• Age: You are at least 18.
• Your background: You have completed a relevant degree or your CV demonstrates a professional career in the arts.
• Not in training: You are not currently enrolled in a degree programme, nor are you undertaking a PhD.
• Your project: A major dramatic work which has not yet been completed, written in German, and which has a clear connection to Vienna in terms of its content, setting or the institution behind it.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply. The key requirement is that you are resident in Vienna.
• Timing between grants: If you have already received this grant, at least 5 full calendar years must have elapsed before you can apply again.
• Not funded: Academic or research projects, commercial activities or teaching posts, as well as projects that have already been completed.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via the City of Vienna’s form, which is open every year from 1 to 30 June (until midnight). You may only apply once a year; there is no charge for applying. The Cultural Affairs Office will then review your project and make a decision at its own discretion.

How realistic are your chances?

This grant scheme is very narrowly defined. You must have lived in Vienna for at least 3 years, write in German and be able to demonstrate a project with a genuine connection to Vienna, meaning that the pool of eligible applicants is small. With up to 12 grants awarded each year, the prospects for a suitable author with a strong project clearly rooted in Vienna are quite good. The decision is at the discretion of the department, so a convincing, well-prepared application is key.