RFPs: Writing in Residency Grant Program (Switzerland)

The Writing in Residency Grant Program supports authors and translators connected to Switzerland by providing funded residency opportunities that offer dedicated time and space for literary writing and research. The programme covers travel and accommodation costs, offers childcare support of up to CHF 1,000 per month, and includes residencies across Southeast Europe and Art Omi in New York.

What is the Writing in Residency Grant Program?

The Writing in Residency Grant Program provides professional authors and translators with the opportunity to spend time in an international residency dedicated to developing, researching, or completing literary projects.

The programme enables writers to work in an inspiring environment while receiving financial support for travel and accommodation. It encourages creative development, international exchange, and literary collaboration while strengthening Switzerland’s literary community.

Program Overview

• Programme Name: Writing in Residency Grant Program
• Programme Type: Literary residency funding
• Eligible Applicants: Authors and translators
• Funding: Travel and accommodation costs (varies by residency)
• Additional Support: Up to CHF 1,000 per month for childcare assistance
• Project Focus: Literary writing, research, and creative development
• Country Connection: Projects must have a clear connection to Switzerland

Residency Opportunities

The programme offers two international residency options.

Writer in the Traduki Residency Program

Residencies are available in:

• Belgrade
• Bucharest
• Novo Mesto
• Pristina
• Sarajevo
• Skopje
• Sofia
• Split
• Tirana

Residency Duration:

• 2 to 6 weeks

These residencies promote literary exchange across Southeast Europe while providing dedicated writing time.

Art Omi Writers Residency

Location:

• Ghent, New York, USA

Residency Period:

• September to October

Duration:

• 4 weeks

Art Omi brings together writers from around the world to collaborate and develop new literary work in an international creative environment.

Funding

The programme provides:

• Travel expenses.
• Accommodation costs.
• Residency support.

Funding varies depending on the selected residency location.

Childcare Support

Authors with childcare responsibilities may receive:

• Up to CHF 1,000 per month

The additional funding may be used for:

• Childcare expenses.
• Travel costs for children.
• Travel costs for a caregiver where necessary.

Applicants requesting childcare support must submit a detailed budget.

Programme Objectives

The Writing in Residency Grant Program aims to:

• Support literary creation.
• Encourage literary research.
• Provide uninterrupted writing time.
• Promote international cultural exchange.
• Strengthen professional literary careers.
• Support translators and authors.
• Improve international literary collaboration.
• Encourage high-quality literary production.

The programme enables writers to focus entirely on creative development within a supportive environment.

Eligible Literary Projects

Residencies may support projects involving:

• Novels.
• Short stories.
• Poetry.
• Literary non-fiction.
• Literary translation.
• Dramatic writing.
• Spoken word projects.
• Literary research.
• Creative writing development.

Projects should demonstrate clear artistic value and professional ambition.

Who is Eligible?

Authors

Applicants must:

• Have published at least one literary work through a professional publishing house, or
• Have published in an editorially supervised digital publication.

Translators

Professional literary translators are eligible to apply.

Playwrights

Playwrights must have:

• At least one published literary work.
• At least one premiere performed at a recognised theatre or venue.

Spoken Word Artists

Applicants working in spoken word must provide evidence of:

• Professional performances.
• Cross-regional recognition.

Project Requirements

Eligible projects must:

• Have a clear connection to Switzerland.
• Be of nationwide importance.
• Receive appropriate co-funding from public or private sources.
• Guarantee fair working conditions.
• Be suitable for development during the residency.

Projects should demonstrate clear artistic purpose and professional relevance.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• Project description or outline.
• Letter of motivation.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Publication list.
• Writing sample of up to 20 pages, or
• A completed literary work representing their writing.

Applicants requesting childcare funding must also provide:

• A detailed childcare budget.

What Makes a Strong Application?

Successful applications generally include:

• A compelling literary project.
• Clear residency objectives.
• Strong artistic merit.
• Professional publication history.
• Well-written motivation letter.
• Realistic project timeline.
• Clear explanation of how the residency will benefit the project.
• High-quality writing samples.

Applications should demonstrate both literary excellence and thoughtful project planning.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to prepare your application.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure you meet the publication and professional experience requirements for your category.

Step 2: Choose a Residency

Select the residency that best supports your literary project.

Step 3: Prepare Your Project

Develop a clear outline explaining:

• Project concept.
• Research objectives.
• Writing goals.
• Planned activities during the residency.

Step 4: Prepare Supporting Documents

Compile:

• CV.
• Publication list.
• Motivation letter.
• Writing sample.
• Childcare budget (if applicable).

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Complete the application according to the programme guidelines before the deadline.

Why This Residency Matters

Professional writing often requires uninterrupted time, research opportunities, and creative inspiration.

The Writing in Residency Grant Program helps writers:

• Focus on new literary work.
• Conduct research.
• Build international professional networks.
• Develop stronger creative projects.
• Exchange ideas with international writers.
• Advance literary careers.
• Increase the visibility of Swiss literature.

The programme contributes to both literary excellence and international cultural exchange.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Submitting incomplete project descriptions.
• Providing weak motivation letters.
• Choosing writing samples that do not represent their best work.
• Failing to explain residency objectives.
• Omitting publication history.
• Ignoring co-funding requirements.
• Submitting incomplete childcare budgets when requesting additional support.

Strong, well-prepared applications are more competitive.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

To improve your application:

• Clearly explain your literary project’s significance.
• Demonstrate how the residency will advance your work.
• Submit your strongest writing sample.
• Write a focused motivation letter.
• Highlight professional achievements.
• Present a realistic writing plan.
• Explain the broader impact of your literary project.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Writing in Residency Grant Program?

Professional authors and translators connected to Switzerland may apply. Authors must have published at least one literary work, while playwrights and spoken word artists must meet additional professional requirements.

Which residency locations are available?

Applicants may apply for the Traduki Residency Programme in Southeast Europe or the Art Omi Writers Residency in Ghent, New York.

How long are the residencies?

Traduki residencies last 2 to 6 weeks, while the Art Omi residency lasts 4 weeks.

What expenses are covered?

The programme covers travel and accommodation costs, with funding varying by residency destination. Additional childcare support of up to CHF 1,000 per month may also be available.

What documents are required?

Applicants must submit a project outline, motivation letter, CV with publication list, and a writing sample of up to 20 pages or a completed literary work.

Is childcare support available?

Yes. Authors with childcare responsibilities may apply for up to CHF 1,000 per month to help cover childcare expenses or travel costs for children and caregivers.

What makes a competitive application?

Strong applications include an outstanding literary project, a clear writing plan, professional publication history, a compelling motivation letter, and high-quality writing samples that demonstrate literary excellence.

Conclusion

The Writing in Residency Grant Program provides authors and translators with valuable opportunities to develop literary projects through funded international residencies. By covering travel, accommodation, and childcare support where applicable, the programme enables writers connected to Switzerland to dedicate uninterrupted time to research, creative writing, and professional growth while building international literary networks and producing high-quality literary work.