Upcoming Opportunities
TARTU UNESCO CITY OF LITERATURE RESIDENCY PROGRAM FOR WRITERS AND TRANSLATORS
Tartu is the second largest town of Estonia, but is widely considered its intellectual capital – vitally significant in developing the educational system, culture, science and literature in the Estonian language. In 2015, Tartu was designated a UNESCO City of Literature, which has further enhanced the vibrant literary scene. Tartu City of Literature residency program aims to increase international exchange and communication, contribute to the mobility of writers and translators, offer a creative and inspiring environment, and provide writers with an opportunity to introduce their work to Estonian readers. The programme is open to all writers and translators (translating from Estonian to other languages) from across the world who meet the criteria described below. The residency program is coordinated by the Estonian Literary Society in cooperation with Tartu Literature House Foundation and in partnership with various other literary institutions.
The spring residency period includes the week of the Tartu International Literary Festival Prima Vista, held from May 11–16. This year’s festival, titled True and False, focuses on the borderlands between human beings and technology, nature and culture, and reality and imagination. It explores how artificial intelligence and artificial environments shape human identity and creativity, how literature helps preserve human experience, the role of imagination in the formation of identity, and what cultural authenticity means in a contemporary context. While all writers and translators are encouraged to apply, particular interest will be given to applicants who can establish a meaningful connection with the festival’s theme. Traditionally, at least one public event with the resident is organised as part of the festival programme. This call is for a 2-month residency period, April-May 2026. One applicant will be selected. The deadline for applications is February 23rd. The results will be announced at the beginning of March.
More information at: https://bit.ly/TartuResidencySpring2026
2026 René Leynaud creative Residency
The Programme
A one-month writing residency to be completed in Vénissieux, located in the metropolitan area of Lyon (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France), in October–November 2026.
In order to facilitate the promotion and dissemination of a work that they consider “necessary in today’s troubled times” and to support contemporary French-language poetry in all its forms, the Espace Pandora association and the Municipal Library of Lyon, with the support of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regional Cultural Affairs Directorate, are organizing the René Leynaud creative residency.
The Theme
the residency is aimed at encouraging the emergence of poetry and contemporary writing, promoting the spirit of resistance—understood in all its dimensions and components,
The author’s literary and artistic project is the main focus of the René Leynaud residency.
Applicants must defend a certain view of the world today, faithful to the spirit of the poet René Leynaud, namely a spirit of resistance—past, present, or future.
What is Offerred
The author will be provided with favorable conditions for creating. She/he will be hosted in an apartment provided by the Municipality and will be offered a writing grant of 2.000€.
What is Expected
The author will divide his time between creative work (70%) and public meetings. She/he agrees to participate in an evening event or in meetings organized in consultation with the host institution. These events may not exceed 30% of the residency period.
The author is expected to develop French-language poetry projects with a view to publication.
This residency is open to authors who have published between one and three works of contemporary French-language literature in short form (poetry, poetic prose, fragments), at least one of which must have been published in its first edition during the calendar year preceding the application and published by a publisher.
The following are not eligible for participation: self-published works, works published at the author’s expense, reissues, anthologies, or collective works.
Documents for application
Ø A statement of intent explaining your creative project in relation to the spirit of the residency
Ø A bio-bibliography
Ø At least one copy of a title published by a publisher during the calendar year preceding the application and reflecting the spirit of René Leynaud (resistance in all its forms).
Ø If possible, a PDF version of the work, which will not be distributed outside the jury.
Residency calendar
January 12, 2026: publication of the call for applications
February 28, 2026: deadline for submitting applications
March–April 2026: review of applications and selection of the candidate
October–November 2026: residency period defined with the selected author.
Contact
Ongoing Opportunities
Barcelona
Faber, Residència d’Arts, Ciències i Humanitats de Catalunya a Olot
Faber offers working stays and exchanges for creative people, researchers and professionals in different areas, for scientists, writers, researchers, writers, artists, humanists, musicians, etc. Our residents have the best working conditions and an environment to accompany their projects. In Faber, there are eight spacious rooms, designed to provide comfortable working conditions. There are also several common areas where the residents will be able to exchange their experiences with each other, with the public and with institutions. The Residency is a space open to people from all over the world. Faber will take care of the residents’ stay, providing accommodation, half-board (breakfast and dinner) and a fully-equipped kitchen in case the residents would like to prepare their own lunch. Faber does not cover any travel costs. There is no per diem.
The Faber Residency is open to all disciplines related to arts, sciences, and humanities. It is offered six times per year, for four-week periods. Faber organizes several thematic residencies throughout the year where professionals from the Arts, Sciences or Humanities can come to spend a few days working on their projects and sharing experiences with the rest of the residents. During the stay, the residents collaborate in activities directed to students, professionals or public in general; activities in accordance with a project that will take into account previous demands and needs. Check the website for dates.
Organized by Ajuntament d’Olot (Olot City Hall) and Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan Government)
Jiwar Creació i Societat
Jiwar has a special interest in receiving non-occidental writers and artists, as well as artists in danger or requesting political asylum because of dangerous situations in their countries of origin. Live and work in a comfortable space. Artists need to provide their own economical resources or grants, which Jiwar can help to obtain by writing letters of support or welcoming. During the stay of the artist, Jiwar offers to accompany the creative process and is able to organize once a month presentation of the work in progress. No meals or per diem are included.
Organized by Mireia Estrada Gelabert
Reykjavik
The Writers’ Residence in Gunnarshús
Open to visiting writers or translators, this program offers a flat in Gunnarshús – the Writers’ House in Reykjavík rented for a minimal fee, for a period of 1-8 weeks.
Organized by Writers’ Union of Iceland
The Writers Residence in Gröndalshús
Gröndalshús is the charming former home of writer, illustrator and scholar Benedikt Gröndal (1826-1907). This writer’s home in the heart of the old town in Reykjavík has been renovated and opened as a cultural house and residency in 2017, run by the Reykjavík City of Literature.
The ground floor houses a residency flat for visiting writers, artists, scholars and translators of Icelandic literature who want to work in Reykjavik. It can be rented for a period of 2 – 8 weeks. The fee is 42.000 ISK pr. week which is well under the market prize of lodging in Reykjavík. The flat is fully furnished, with free wifi and is situated in the heart of the city within walking distance from all major cultural institutions, restaurants and other attractions. An additional charge of ISK 3.500 pr. week is charged for each additional guest.
For availability and further information, please write to bokmenntaborgin@reykjavik.is.
Iceland Writers Retreat
The Iceland Writers Retreat is an annual opportunity for writers to participate in a series of workshops and panels led by an esteemed team of international writers. Between intimate workshops and lectures they’ll offer the chance to tour the spectacular Golden Circle, sit in the cozy cafes of Reykjavik, soak in geothermal hot springs, listen to new Icelandic music, meet contemporary Icelandic writers, and learn about the country’s rich literary tradition. Dedicated blocks of time throughout the retreat allow participants to focus on their writing.
Dunedin
The Robert Burns Fellowship
The Fellowship provides an office in the English Department and not less than the minimum salary of a full-time university lecturer, for one year. It is open to writers of poetry, drama, fiction, biography, autobiography, essays or literary criticism who are normally resident in New Zealand, and who, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, have established by their published work, or otherwise, that their writing would benefit from their holding the Fellowship.
Application open March-June
Organized by Division of Humanities, University of Otago
The University of Otago College of Education/Creative New Zealand Children’s Writer in Residence
Remuneration of $28,000 is jointly funded by the University and Creative New Zealand and includes an office in the College. The 6-month residency is offered in association with the Robert Lord Writers’ Cottage Trust which provides rent-free accommodation to writers in the historic Titan Street cottage bequeathed by the late playwright Robert Lord. The Residency is open to established children’s writers who are normally resident in New Zealand.
Organized by Division of Humanities, University of Otago
The University Book Shop and Robert Lord Writers’ Cottage Trust Summer Writer in Residence
The Residency is offered in association with the Robert Lord Writers’ Cottage Trust which provides rent-free accommodation to writers in the historic Titan Street cottage bequeathed by the late playwright Robert Lord. The 6-week residency offers a stipend, and an office and administration base at the University Book Shop. The recipient will be an emerging writer in any genre who, in the opinion of the University Book Shop Summer Writer in Residence Advisory Group, has established, by their published work or otherwise, that their writing would benefit from the Residency.
Organized by The University Book Shop and Robert Lord Writers’ Cottage Trust
The Caselberg Trust Creative Connections Residency
The Caselberg Trust, Dunedin, New Zealand, invites writers, composers, visual and performing artists to complete their creative projects in a harbourside cottage, situated on the Otago Peninsula, a well known haven of creativity and inspiration for many artists. Residencies can be funded or self-funded/sponsored.
The Caselberg Trust’s ‘Creative Connections’ Residency support projects that reach out and make links across a variety of creative media, professional disciplines, and communities relevant to the planned project. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their ability to engage in a creative project and processes, to collaborate effectively with creative media, and with communities relevant to their identified project. The residency is 3 months.
Organized by The Caselberg Trust
Krakow
Visegrad Fund
The Fund is an international donor organization, established in 2000 by the governments of the Visegrad Group countries—Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia to promote regional cooperation in the Visegrad region (V4) as well as between the V4 region and other countries, especially in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions. The Fund does so by awarding €8 million through grants, scholarships and artist residencies provided annually by equal contributions of all the V4 countries. Other donor countries (Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States) have provided another €10 million through various grant schemes run by the Fund since 2012.
Edinburgh
Fellowships Programme for International Visitors
The University of Edinburgh’s Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) was established in 1969 to promote interdisciplinary research in the arts, humanities and social sciences. It provides an international, interdisciplinary and autonomous space for discussion and debate. Since its foundation more than 1000 scholars from 66 countries have held Institute fellowships; and up to 28 Fellows are in residence at any one time. Housed in a secluded 18th-century courtyard overlooking the Meadows, the Institute is adjacent to most centres of University activity.
Organized by The University of Edinburgh’s Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH)
Obidos
Obidos Literary Residency Program
The Obidos Literary Residency Program allows each author to stay between two weeks and up to two months. The Municipality provides a space for accommodation and the creation of the candidate project. The involvement of the author-resident in the community is increased, although the main objective of his/her stay is writing.
The objective is to welcome authors from all over the world, allowing them to immerse themselves in an environment of refuge, suitable for relaxing and creating works, as well as contact, in a privileged way, with Óbidos, its history, and identity. Proposals will be selected according to their cultural interest, consistency with the candidate’s path, and feasibility of the project. Applications are accepted all year.
