Deadline: 02-Apr-2026
The International Residency Initiatives Scheme provides funding of up to €50,000 to Irish arts organisations delivering residency programmes with international partners. The scheme promotes transnational artistic exchange, professional development, and collaboration across all artforms. Funding covers travel, accommodation, artists’ fees, programme administration, marketing, research, and audience engagement activities.
Overview of the Scheme
The International Residency Initiatives Scheme supports arts organisations in creating or strengthening international residency programmes that foster collaboration, exchange, and professional growth. It encourages projects that promote transnational artistic partnerships and provide artists with opportunities to expand their practice, engage with new creative environments, and build professional networks across borders.
Programme Focus Areas
Key priorities include:
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Supporting residency programmes with clear artistic aims and feasible cooperation frameworks
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Providing high-quality support and professional opportunities for artists and arts practitioners
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Encouraging reciprocal engagement and balanced investment between partner organisations
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Ensuring coherence between proposed artistic activities and available resources
Eligible Activities and Costs
The scheme supports a wide range of residency-related activities, including:
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Artists’ mobility, including travel, accommodation, and subsistence
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Artists’ fees and administrative expenses for programme delivery
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Branding, marketing, and promotion of funded initiatives
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Artistic research, critical exchange, publications, and translations
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Professional training and development opportunities
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Audience engagement activities such as talks, participatory events, or classes
Funding and Duration
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Maximum grant per project: €50,000
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Flexible funding to accommodate the specific needs of each residency initiative, artistic discipline, and creative objective
Who is Eligible
Eligible organisations must:
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Be based in the Republic of Ireland
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Demonstrate active involvement of at least one international partner organisation
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Submit only one application as lead applicant per year (may participate in other initiatives led by other Irish organisations without duplication)
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Work across all artforms and arts practices
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
The scheme aligns with the Arts Council’s commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, ensuring equal access and opportunities regardless of gender, sexual orientation, civil or family status, religion, age, disability, race, Traveller community membership, or socio-economic background.
Why It Matters
International residencies enhance artistic practice, professional growth, and cross-border collaboration, providing artists and arts organisations with opportunities to innovate, exchange ideas, and engage audiences in meaningful ways. By supporting transnational partnerships, the scheme strengthens Ireland’s arts ecosystem while fostering global cultural dialogue.
Common Tips and Mistakes to Avoid
Tips for Applicants: Clearly define artistic aims, ensure feasible collaboration frameworks, and highlight professional development opportunities for participating artists. Common Mistakes: Applying without an international partner, duplicating activities across applications, or lacking clarity in project aims and outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who can apply? Arts organisations based in the Republic of Ireland with at least one international partner organisation.
2. What is the maximum grant? €50,000 per residency initiative.
3. Are individual artists eligible? No, only organisations can apply.
4. What costs are covered? Travel, accommodation, artists’ fees, administrative costs, marketing, research, professional training, and audience engagement.
5. Can an organisation submit multiple applications? Only one as the lead applicant per year; participation in other initiatives is allowed without duplication.
6. Does the scheme support all artforms? Yes, it is open to all artistic disciplines and practices.
7. How does the scheme ensure inclusion? Funding and access are provided equitably regardless of gender, race, disability, socio-economic background, or other protected characteristics.
Conclusion
The International Residency Initiatives Scheme strengthens global artistic collaboration and professional development by funding Irish arts organisations to deliver impactful residency programmes with international partners. The initiative fosters exchange, builds networks, and enhances artistic practice, contributing to a vibrant and inclusive cultural ecosystem.
For more information, visit The Arts Council.
