The Kleist Prize is a yearly German literature award. It was first given in 1912, to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Heinrich von Kleist, who died the year before. During the Weimar Republic, this prize was the most important literary honor in Germany. However, it was stopped in 1933.

In 1985, the prize was given again for the first time in more than fifty years. From 1994 to 2000, it was awarded every two years. Since 2026, the prize includes €30,000 in money; before that, the amount was €20,000.

Winners

The Kleist Prize winners are listed by the Kleist-Archiv Sembdner and Kleist Gesellschaft.