The NIAS Writer Residence Fellowship offers literary writers based in the Caribbean Parts of the Kingdom a fully funded five-month residency at the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study. This fellowship provides a personal stipend, travel reimbursement, and subsidised housing, allowing writers to pursue a writing project within an international academic community.
The fellowship is a collaboration between NIAS and the Dutch Foundation for Literature (Nederlands Letterenfonds), which supports high-quality literature in Dutch, Frisian, Papiamentu, Papiamento, and Dutch Sign Language. The programme aims to strengthen literary voices from the Caribbean and foster transdisciplinary exchange between writers and scholars.
NIAS Letterenfonds Fellowship Benefits
- Personal stipend of €3,500 per month
- Travel reimbursement of international return ticket
- Subsidised housing in Amsterdam
- Office at NIAS and access to research facilities
- Participation in weekly academic seminars and interdisciplinary dialogue
- Five-month residency (February–July 2027)
NIAS Letterenfonds Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
- Established literary writers based in the Caribbean Parts of the Kingdom (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten)
- Write in Papiamentu, Papiamento, English from the Islands, or Dutch
- Mid-career or senior stage writers with a literary track record
- Comfortable working in an academic and international environment
- Propose a literary project beyond initial conception phase
- Good command of English (working language at NIAS)
How to Apply for NIAS Letterenfonds Fellowship
- Visit the Dutch Foundation for Literature website for conditions and application form
- Submit application by 25 August 2026 (12:00 noon CET)
- For questions, contact Eva Prakken at [email protected] or Robert Raub at [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the NIAS Letterenfonds Fellowship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply.
What is the NIAS Letterenfonds Fellowship?
The NIAS Writer Residence Fellowship is a fully funded five-month residency for literary writers from the Caribbean Parts of the Kingdom. It offers a stipend, travel reimbursement, and subsidised housing at the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study.
Who can apply for this fellowship?
Established literary writers based in Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, or Sint Maarten who write in Papiamentu, Papiamento, English from the Islands, or Dutch. Applicants must be mid-career or senior writers with a literary track record.
What is the deadline for the 2026 fellowship?
The application deadline is 25 August 2026 at 12:00 noon CET. Applications must be submitted via the Dutch Foundation for Literature website.
What benefits does the fellowship provide?
Fellows receive a personal stipend of €3,500 per month, travel reimbursement for an international return ticket, subsidised housing in Amsterdam, an office at NIAS, and access to research facilities and academic seminars.
How long is the fellowship period?
The NIAS Letterenfonds Fellowship lasts five months, from February to July 2027. Fellows are expected to be present at NIAS four workdays a week during this period.
What language is used at NIAS?
English is the working language at NIAS. Applicants must have a good command of English to participate in seminars and exchanges with other fellows.
How are applications evaluated?
Applications are first reviewed for eligibility by the Dutch Foundation for Literature. An independent ranking committee assesses literary quality, project feasibility, and fit with NIAS. NIAS makes the final selection.
Can I apply if I am not from the Caribbean Parts of the Kingdom?
No, this edition specifically invites applications from writers based in the Caribbean Parts of the Kingdom (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten).
What kind of writing project is expected?
Applicants must propose a literary project that will benefit from a residency at NIAS. The project should be beyond its initial conception phase and sufficiently developed for productive use of the fellowship period.
Who can I contact for more information?
For questions, contact Eva Prakken at [email protected] (Dutch Foundation for Literature) or Robert Raub at [email protected] (NIAS).
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