Johann-Heinrich-Merck-Preis (German: Johann-Heinrich-Merck-Preis für literarische Kritik und Essay) is a literary prize of Hesse awarded by the Deutsche Akademie für Sprache und Dichtung since 1964. Since 2013 the prize winner receives â¬20,000. The award is donated by the Merck Group in memory of the German author and critic Johann Heinrich Merck (1741âÂÂ1791).