The Critical Pathways Fellowship 2026 is a unique opportunity for artists, activists, journalists, entrepreneurs, and academics to explore hidden systems and power structures driving ecological breakdown and inequality. Hosted by Utrecht University in collaboration with Towards a Circular Economy and Society, this fully funded fellowship supports innovative projects that make visible the invisible dimensions of sustainability and justice.
Utrecht University is a leading research institution in the Netherlands, committed to addressing global challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. The Critical Pathways community fosters critical inquiry and creative practice, welcoming diverse perspectives to imagine and build more equitable, circular futures.
Critical Pathways Fellowship Benefits
- Budget of up to €10,000 to cover travel, accommodation, living expenses, and visa costs
- Access to office and meeting spaces, university library, and ICT resources
- Integration into Utrecht’s academic and activist communities
- Opportunity to collaborate with leading scholars and external partners
Critical Pathways Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
- Open to anyone whose work challenges the status quo, reveals hidden truths, or reimagines sustainable and just futures
- Includes artists, filmmakers, writers, activists, organizers, community leaders, journalists, legal practitioners, policy advocates, conservationists, sustainability practitioners, entrepreneurs, and academics from any discipline
- No PhD or academic background required
- Work must align with the themes of Critical Pathways and Towards a Circular Economy and Society
How to Apply for Critical Pathways Fellowship?
- Fill out the application form (.docx)
- Prepare and submit your CV
- Send both documents to coordinator Tom Gerritsen at [email protected]
- Submit by the deadline: 27 April 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Critical Pathways Fellowship 2026 supports individuals exploring hidden social, ecological, and economic forces shaping sustainability challenges. With funding up to €10,000 and a 4–6 week residency, the program encourages innovative ideas that promote fairness, inclusion, and alternative approaches to global systems.
What is the Critical Pathways Fellowship 2026?
The Critical Pathways Fellowship 2026 is a 4-6 week fully funded program at Utrecht University that supports individuals from diverse backgrounds to explore hidden systems and power structures related to sustainability and justice. It offers up to €10,000 for travel, accommodation, and living expenses.
Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship?
The fellowship is open to anyone whose work challenges the status quo, reveals hidden truths, or reimagines sustainable futures. This includes artists, activists, journalists, entrepreneurs, and academics from any discipline. No PhD or academic background is required.
What benefits does the fellowship provide?
The fellowship provides a budget of up to €10,000 to cover travel, accommodation, living expenses, and visa costs. Fellows also gain access to university resources like office spaces, the library, and ICT, and are integrated into academic and activist communities.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 27 April 2026. Applicants must submit a completed application form and CV via email to [email protected] by this date.
How long does the fellowship last?
The fellowship lasts 4 to 6 weeks, with fellows expected to be in Utrecht during October-November 2026. Exact dates are flexible.
What is the theme for the 2026 fellowship?
The 2026 theme is ‘Making Visible the Invisible,’ focusing on uncovering overlooked consequences of production, consumption, and resource use, and experimenting with new ways of living sustainably and justly.
How are fellows selected?
A group of representatives from the Critical Pathways and Towards a Circular Economy and Society communities reviews applications. Selection is based on alignment with fellowship goals, originality, and potential impact. Applicants are notified within six weeks of the deadline.
What resources are available to fellows?
Fellows have access to office and meeting spaces, the university library, and ICT resources. They are also supported in connecting with university and external partners to enrich their work.
Can I apply if I don’t have an academic background?
Yes, the fellowship explicitly welcomes applicants without a PhD or academic background. It values diverse perspectives from artists, activists, journalists, entrepreneurs, and others driving change.
What should I include in my application?
Applicants must fill out the provided application form (.docx) and submit it along with their CV to [email protected]. The form should detail how their work aligns with the fellowship’s themes and goals.
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