CEU Artist & Writer in Residence Fellowship

The Artist in Residence Fellowship is offered by the Institute for Advanced Study at Central European University in Budapest as part of CEU’s Global Invisible University framework.

For the 2027–28 academic year, IAS CEU offers one Writer in Residence Fellowship and one Visual/New Media Artist in Residence Fellowship.

The programme is designed for both established and emerging creative practitioners who want dedicated time to develop new artistic or literary work while participating in an interdisciplinary intellectual community.

Writers may work in areas including poetry, prose, drama, screenwriting and playwriting. Visual and new media artists may work across areas including painting, film, digital art, computer-based work and interactive media.

Applicants are expected to propose a clear project or work plan that can be developed during the residency. The programme particularly values work that engages meaningfully with the intellectual aims of CEU’s Global Invisible University, including questions around artistic and academic freedom, society, politics, knowledge and civic life.

Artists and writers in residence are expected to work independently while also engaging with IAS CEU’s academic community. This includes participation in Fellows’ seminars and presenting their artistic or literary work during the residency.

The fellowship is based in Budapest, where IAS CEU operates alongside other CEU research institutes and academic initiatives. Fellows may also benefit from connections with CEU’s wider academic and cultural network.

• Applicants should be writers or visual/new media artists.
• Applicants must hold a relevant university degree.
• Applicants should have a strong portfolio of artistic projects or written work.
• Applicants should demonstrate the potential to develop and deepen their creative practice.
• Applicants should have a clear plan of work for the fellowship period.
• Applicants should be able to work independently.
• Applicants should be prepared to participate in the intellectual life of IAS CEU.
• Applicants must be fluent in English.
• Applicants should be able to reside in Budapest for the agreed fellowship period.
• International applicants are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants requiring a visa for Hungary may have their eligibility assessed individually.
• Previous IAS CEU fellows may be subject to restrictions on reapplying.

• €2,000 net monthly allowance.
• Funded residential fellowship in Budapest.
• Accommodation at the Raoul Wallenberg Guesthouse.
• Office or studio space at IAS CEU, subject to availability.
• Limited equipment and technical support.
• Access to CEU’s interdisciplinary academic environment.
• Opportunity to participate in IAS Fellows’ seminars.
• Dedicated time to develop a new artistic or literary project.
• Opportunity to present creative work to the IAS CEU community.
• Networking with scholars, writers, artists and researchers.
• Access to relevant CEU academic and research resources.
• Potential technical support through the CEU Media Hub.

The application package normally includes:

• Cover letter.
• Project abstract.
• Project plan or work plan.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• List of published works and/or portfolio.
• Relevant artistic or literary work information.
• Additional video material where relevant for visual or media-based projects.

For writers:

• Work plan of up to approximately 1,500 words.

For visual, media or new media artists:

• Project plan describing a concrete project to be developed during the residency.
• Information about any technical support required.
• Project plan of up to approximately 1,500 words, excluding references.

The cover letter should explain why the fellowship would benefit the proposed project and engage with the relationship between artistic and academic freedom and its wider implications.

The project abstract should normally be no longer than approximately 200 words.

The CV should normally be no longer than five pages and should include published works and/or relevant portfolio information.

The current call indicates that applicants should demonstrate:

• Strong artistic or literary work.
• A solid portfolio or writing record.
• A clear and realistic work plan.
• Potential to deepen and develop their creative practice.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to engage with the IAS CEU community.
• Relevance of the proposed work to the aims of the Global Invisible University.
• Fluent English.
• Suitability for a residential interdisciplinary fellowship.

• Receive dedicated time to develop a major creative project.
• Live and work in Budapest.
• Join an international interdisciplinary community.
• Engage with scholars and researchers at IAS CEU.
• Develop new artistic or literary work.
• Strengthen an international creative portfolio.
• Participate in intellectual discussions and seminars.
• Present your work to an academic and creative community.
• Build connections across art, writing and academia.
• Explore questions linking artistic practice with society and academic freedom.