The Award

The Mortier Next Generation Award is presented every two years. It is awarded to support projects by artists who are at the start of their career and show exceptional talent. The award is endowed with up to € 30.000. The total amount may be divided among a first, second and third prize.

Fellowship

The Mortier Next Generation Award includes a short-term fellowship of several months at the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin (Berlin Institute of Advanced Study), which, each academic year, offers residencies to an interdisciplinary group of scientists and artists. The design and organisation of the Mortier Fellowship reside with the Wissenschaftskolleg.

What we support

The Mortier Next Generation Award supports projects in keeping with the spirit of Gerard Mortier, great innovator and visionary of the theatre. His principles and his philosophy are expounded in these volumes:

 Gerard Mortier: Dramaturgie einer Leidenschaft (Bärenreiter/J.B. Metzler), French edition: Dramaturgie d’une passion (Bourgois)

Gerard Mortier: Das Theater, das uns verändert (Bärenreiter/J.B. Metzler), Spanish edition: In audatia veritas – Reflexiones sobre la ópera, el arte y la política (Confluencias).

Applicants are explicitly referred to these two books.

Only natural persons who have not yet reached the age of 35 are entitled to apply for the Mortier Next Generation Award.

Exceptions may be granted to individuals who have had to temporarily suspend their professional activities, for example to care for children (maternity leave, parental leave), to care for relatives, or due to serious illness. For such individuals, the age limit may be raised by the jury by up to two years.

Applications for the Mortier Next Generation Award 2027 can be submitted from June 30 until Friday, 30 October 2026 – exclusively via email: [email protected].

All applications are to include a description outlining the concept and feasibility of the planned project. The description should not exceed 6.000 characters. It is possible to attach photos, sketches, videos or similar materials (large files please via digital transfer). The decision on the award will be made by an independent jury in December 2026. 

Use of the Award money

The prize money of up to  € 30.000 is earmarked for the submitted project. The beneficiary must use the prize money exclusively for the development and realisation of the proposed project.

All taxes and duties relating to the project shall be borne by the award recipient.

Note: The use of the generic masculine form is intended solely to improve readability. It refers to and addresses all genders without distinction.