Academy fellows are comprised of established and emerging scholars, writers, and professionals who wish to engage in independent study. Berlin Prizes are awarded to historians, economists, filmmakers, art historians, journalists, legal scholars, linguists, musicologists, public policy experts, and writers, among others. The Academy does not accept applications from visual artists. The competition for the Guna S. Mundheim Fellowship in the visual arts is based solely on nomination. Each year a small number of candidates (ca. 12-15) are contacted individually by members of the Visual Arts Jury, whose names are disclosed only following the competition. Fellowships are restricted to candidates based permanently in the US. Limited periods spent outside the US, such as sabbatical, foreign assignment for American publications, etc., must be explained on the application. US citizenship is not required, and American expatriates are not eligible. Candidates in academic disciplines are expected to have completed a doctorate at the time of application. Applicants working in most other fields – such as journalism, filmmaking, or public policy – must have equivalent professional degrees. Although it is helpful to explain how a Berlin residency would contribute to further professional development, candidates need not be working on German topics.