Deadline: 16-Mar-2026
The European Commission Artist and Cultural Professional Residency Grant supports organisations across Creative Europe countries to host structured, funded residency projects for artists and cultural professionals. The programme promotes artistic mobility, creative collaboration, and societal impact, offering fixed grants of up to €55,000–€60,000 per project.
The European Commission Residency Grant Programme provides funding to legal entities that host artists and cultural professionals through structured, time-bound residency projects. The initiative strengthens cross-border cultural collaboration, professional development, and artistic experimentation aligned with European cultural policy priorities.
Programme Purpose and Strategic Goals
The programme is designed to:
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Promote artistic mobility and international exchange
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Support creative collaboration and professional development
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Enable host organisations to deliver high-quality cultural initiatives
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Advance societal transformation through culture, aligned with New European Bauhaus values
Residencies serve as platforms for experimentation, dialogue, and co-creation between artists, host organisations, and local communities.
Key Objectives of Residency Projects
Each residency project must pursue at least two of the following objectives:
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Exploration of new artistic ideas, concepts, or practices
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Professional networking and audience engagement
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Creation of new artistic or cultural works
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Contribution to social, environmental, or cultural transformation aligned with New European Bauhaus principles
Residency Structure and Duration
Residencies are categorised by length:
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Short-term: 21–35 days
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Medium-term: 36–60 days
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Long-term: 61–90 days
All residencies must be structured, clearly planned, and professionally supported by the host organisation.
Funding Overview
Funding is provided through a fixed-amount grant system, meaning payments are not based on actual expenses.
Maximum Grant Amount
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Up to €55,000 per residency project
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Up to €60,000 when accessibility-related support is included
Grant amounts are calculated based on:
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Residency duration
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Number of residents
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Applicable financial top-ups
What the Grant Covers
Hosting Allowance
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€50 per day, per resident
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Covers accommodation, equipment, mentoring, and implementation costs
Resident Daily Allowance
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€30 per day, per resident
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Covers food, local transport, and daily living expenses
Travel Allowance
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€400 for travel under 5,000 km
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€800 for travel of 5,000 km or more
Additional Financial Top-Ups
Eligible residents may receive extra support, including:
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Green mobility top-up: €400 for non-air travel over 600 km
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Overseas and outermost regions top-up: €175 per resident
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Visa top-up: €120 for residents requiring a visa
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Family top-up: €200 per child under 18
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The call is open to legal entities capable of hosting international residency projects.
Eligible Organisations
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Non-profit organisations and NGOs
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Public bodies and foundations
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Companies and cultural enterprises
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Self-employed professionals
Applicants must:
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Be registered and based in a Creative Europe country
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Operate in relevant cultural and creative sectors
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Have the capacity to host international artists and professionals
Eligible Sectors
Eligible Countries and Regions
Creative Europe countries include:
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All 27 EU Member States
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Albania, Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, and Ukraine
The programme also includes:
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EU Overseas Countries and Territories
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EU Outermost Regions such as Greenland, the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, and select Caribbean territories
How the Application Process Works
The application process follows two structured phases.
Phase 1: Project Proposal
Applicants submit:
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A detailed residency project description
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Legal and organisational documentation
Only shortlisted applicants proceed to Phase 2.
Phase 2: Resident Selection
Selected applicants:
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Choose participating artists and cultural professionals
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Submit final application details
Funding decisions are made based on project quality, objectives, and capacity.
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative:
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Strengthens Europe’s cultural ecosystem
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Encourages fair and well-funded artistic mobility
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Supports cultural innovation and experimentation
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Builds long-term collaboration between artists and institutions
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Ensures equitable access through fixed funding and top-ups
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Failing to meet at least two required residency objectives
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Submitting incomplete legal documentation
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Proposing unstructured or informal residency formats
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Overlooking audience engagement or societal impact
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Miscalculating residency duration or grant limits
Frequently Asked Questions
Who applies for the grant: artists or organisations?
Host organisations apply, not individual artists.
What is the maximum residency length?
Residencies may last up to 90 days.
Are costs reimbursed based on receipts?
No. Grants are fixed-amount payments.
Can newly established organisations apply?
Yes, provided they meet eligibility and capacity requirements.
Are accessibility costs supported?
Yes, with additional funding up to €60,000 total.
Can multiple residents be hosted?
Yes, funding scales based on the number of residents.
Is international participation required?
Yes, residencies are designed for international artistic mobility.
Conclusion
The European Commission Artist Residency Grant Programme offers a robust, well-structured funding opportunity for organisations to host impactful cultural residencies. By combining fixed financial support, mobility incentives, and clear objectives, the programme strengthens cross-border collaboration and delivers lasting cultural and societal value across Europe and beyond.
For more information, visit European Commission.
