Deadline: 31-Aug-2026
The Jan Michalski Foundation Writing Residency Program offers writers, translators, and literary creators dedicated time and space to develop literary projects in a unique residential environment. Selected residents receive accommodation, travel support, a weekly allowance of CHF 400, meals, library access, and participation in cultural activities, with residency periods ranging from two weeks to three months.
Program Overview
The Jan Michalski Foundation Writing Residency Program is an international literary residency designed to support writers, translators, and other literary practitioners by providing uninterrupted time and an inspiring environment for creative work.
The residency is based on the belief that literary creation benefits from dedicated space, intellectual freedom, and opportunities for reflection. Through its unique residential setting and supportive infrastructure, the program enables participants to focus on developing literary projects without the distractions of everyday life.
While the residency primarily serves writers and translators, it also welcomes projects from other disciplines where literature plays a central role. The program encourages diversity of voices, languages, genres, and creative approaches while fostering cultural exchange among residents from around the world.
Focus Areas
The residency supports a wide range of literary and literature-centered projects, including:
- Fiction writing.
- Non-fiction writing.
- Poetry.
- Literary translation.
- Essays and literary criticism.
- Interdisciplinary projects centered on literature.
- Collaborative literary projects.
- Research related to literary creation.
- Experimental and innovative literary practices.
The program places particular emphasis on:
- Literary excellence and creativity.
- Cross-cultural literary exchange.
- Translation and international literary dialogue.
- Projects exploring contemporary social and cultural issues.
- Nature writing and environmental storytelling.
Special Focus on Nature Writing
The residency includes a dedicated focus on nature writing and literary projects that explore environmental themes.
Projects may address:
- Environmental awareness.
- Sustainability and ecological responsibility.
- Human relationships with nature.
- Biodiversity and conservation.
- Climate-related challenges.
- Connections between society and the natural environment.
- Socio-environmental relationships and ecological narratives.
This focus aims to encourage literary works that contribute to public understanding of environmental issues through storytelling, reflection, and creative expression.
Residency Benefits
Selected residents receive a comprehensive support package designed to facilitate productive creative work.
Benefits include:
- Fully funded accommodation.
- Travel expenses covered to and from the resident’s home location.
- Weekly allowance of CHF 400.
- Daily breakfast.
- Daily lunch.
- Access to the foundation’s library during daytime hours.
- Use of electric bicycles for local transportation.
- Participation in cultural and literary activities organized by the foundation.
- Access to a supportive international creative community.
The program removes many financial and logistical barriers, allowing participants to focus on their literary projects.
Accommodation and Residency Environment
Residents are housed in seven architecturally distinctive cabin-style residential modules designed to provide privacy, comfort, and an atmosphere conducive to creative work.
Key accommodation features include:
- Independent living spaces.
- Quiet and inspiring surroundings.
- Opportunities for concentration and reflection.
- Access to shared cultural and intellectual resources.
- Facilities that support both individual and collaborative work.
The foundation also offers accessible accommodation options for applicants with reduced mobility, ensuring broader participation and inclusivity.
Residency Duration
Residency periods vary according to project requirements and accommodation availability.
Available residency lengths include:
- Short-term stays beginning at two weeks.
- Extended residencies of up to three months.
The duration is determined based on project needs, program scheduling, and available residency spaces.
Funding Information
The residency provides substantial financial and practical support to participants.
Support includes:
- Covered round-trip travel expenses.
- Weekly stipend of CHF 400.
- Free accommodation throughout the residency period.
- Breakfast and lunch provided.
- Library access.
- Transportation support through electric bicycle access.
- Participation in foundation-sponsored cultural events.
This funding structure allows residents to dedicate their time fully to literary creation and project development.
Who is Eligible?
The program welcomes applicants from around the world and encourages participation from individuals at various stages of their creative careers.
Eligible applicants include:
- Writers.
- Literary translators.
- Authors working in any literary genre.
- Interdisciplinary creators whose work is centered on literature.
- Collaborative pairs working on a shared literary project.
- Emerging writers and beginners.
- Established literary professionals.
Applicants may be:
- Of any nationality.
- Of any age.
- At any stage of their literary career.
The program values the quality and relevance of proposed projects rather than professional status alone.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a complete online application.
Required materials generally include:
- Completed application form.
- Detailed project description.
- Writing samples.
- Supporting documentation requested by the foundation.
Important requirements include:
- Applications must be submitted in English or French.
- Writing samples may be submitted in any language.
- Only one application may be submitted per applicant each year.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applicants should ensure that all required documents are included before submission.
Who is Not Eligible?
The following restrictions apply:
- Previous residency recipients may not reapply.
- Applicants submitting more than one application in the same year are not eligible.
- Incomplete applications are automatically excluded from consideration.
Meeting basic eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection, as applications are evaluated competitively.
How to Apply
- Review the residency objectives and eligibility criteria.
- Develop a literary project or translation proposal.
- Prepare a clear description of the project’s goals and significance.
- Gather required writing samples.
- Complete the online application form.
- Submit all materials in English or French.
- Verify that all required documents are included before submission.
- Await review and selection decisions from the foundation.
Strong applications typically demonstrate originality, literary merit, feasibility, and a clear plan for utilizing the residency period.
Why This Residency Matters
Writers and translators often face challenges finding uninterrupted time, financial support, and suitable environments for creative work. Residencies provide opportunities for focused project development that can be difficult to achieve within everyday professional and personal responsibilities.
The Jan Michalski Foundation Writing Residency Program addresses these challenges by offering a fully supported environment that combines financial assistance, accommodation, intellectual resources, and creative freedom.
Its international scope encourages literary exchange across languages, cultures, and disciplines while helping participants advance projects that may contribute to contemporary literature, translation, and public discourse.
The program’s emphasis on environmental themes also highlights the growing role of literature in addressing global ecological and sustainability challenges.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting incomplete application materials.
- Failing to clearly explain project objectives.
- Providing writing samples that do not reflect the proposed project.
- Ignoring application language requirements.
- Submitting multiple applications within the same year.
- Proposing projects that do not have a strong literary component.
- Underestimating the importance of demonstrating how the residency will support project development.
- Missing required supporting documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Jan Michalski Foundation Writing Residency Program?
It is an international literary residency that provides writers, translators, and literary creators with dedicated time, accommodation, financial support, and resources to develop literary projects.
Who can apply for the residency?
Writers, translators, literary researchers, interdisciplinary creators, and collaborative pairs from any country and at any career stage may apply.
How long does the residency last?
Residency periods range from two weeks to three months, depending on project requirements and accommodation availability.
What financial support is provided?
Residents receive covered travel expenses, accommodation, breakfast and lunch, access to facilities, and a weekly allowance of CHF 400.
Can beginners apply?
Yes. The program is open to applicants at all career stages, including emerging writers and first-time applicants.
What languages are accepted for applications?
Applications must be submitted in English or French. Writing samples, however, may be submitted in any language.
Can previous residents apply again?
No. Individuals who have previously participated in the residency program are not eligible to reapply.
Conclusion
The Jan Michalski Foundation Writing Residency Program provides writers, translators, and literary creators with an exceptional opportunity to focus on literary work in a supportive and inspiring environment. Through fully funded accommodation, travel support, a CHF 400 weekly allowance, and access to valuable cultural and literary resources, the residency enables participants to advance meaningful literary projects. With its commitment to literary excellence, international exchange, and environmental storytelling, the program continues to support the development of impactful creative work from voices around the world.
For more information, visit Jan Michalski Foundation.
