Application open for 2026 Arts Council Writer in Residence Fellowship Scheme at University College Cork, The Arts Council and University College Cork (UCC) are inviting applications from mid-career and established writers for the Writer in Residence programme for 2027.
The residency is designed to give a selected writer a supportive and inspiring setting in which to focus on their creative practice. Along with providing a period of dedicated time for writing, the programme offers financial assistance to help the resident concentrate on developing their own work.
The residency also aims to enrich the wider university community. Through their presence and engagement, the Writer in Residence brings fresh perspectives, creativity, and energy to UCC, while providing students and faculty with the opportunity to interact directly with a professional practicing writer over an intensive and meaningful period.
The programme therefore offers a valuable combination of dedicated creative time, financial support, and interaction with the university’s academic and literary community.
If you’re interested in this prestigious fellowship program, we encourage you to read the article carefully and follow the application guidelines closely. Make sure to review all eligibility criteria and submit your application within the specified timeline.
Last Date of Application: 1st October 2026
Overview
Application open for 2026 Arts Council Writer in Residence Fellowship Scheme at University College Cork
The Arts Council Writer in Residence programme at University College Cork (UCC) is an opportunity for established and mid-career writers to dedicate meaningful time to their creative practice while becoming part of the university’s academic and cultural community.
The successful writer will be hosted by the School of English and Digital Humanities at UCC throughout 2027. The residency is structured to balance independent creative work with opportunities to interact with students, academics, staff, and the wider literary community.
Application open for 2026 Arts Council Writer in Residence Fellowship Scheme at University College Cork
Key Details
- Programme:2027 Writer in Residence Fellowship
- Host institution:University College Cork
- School:School of English and Digital Humanities
- Location:Cork, Ireland
- Residency period:January–December 2027
- Total funding:€30,000
- Arts Council contribution:€20,000
- UCC contribution:€10,000
- Eligible applicants:Mid-career and established writers
- Eligible literary areas:Prose fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, graphic novels, and children’s literature
- Workspace:Dedicated workspace at UCC
- Additional support:Administrative assistance
Purpose of the Writer in Residence Programme
The residency is intended to give writers the financial and professional support needed to advance their creative work while also enriching the literary culture at UCC.
The programme aims to:
- Provide financial assistance that allows writers to concentrate on their creative practice.
- Give the selected writer dedicated time to develop new or existing work.
- Connect students and university staff with an active professional writer.
- Contribute to the literary and cultural life of UCC.
- Encourage the exchange of ideas and creative knowledge between writers and the university community.
- Give students opportunities to learn directly from an experienced practitioner.
- Promote greater engagement with literature and creative practice across the university.
Application open for 2026 Arts Council Writer in Residence Fellowship Scheme at University College Cork
Who Will the Writer Engage With?
Throughout the residency, the selected writer will become part of UCC’s broader academic and cultural environment.
Engagement may include interaction with:
- Students
- Academic staff
- Other university staff
- Writers and literary organisations
- Members of the public through suitable events and activities
The engagement element is designed to encourage valuable exchange without requiring the Writer in Residence to take on the responsibilities of a conventional full-time teaching position.
Residency Structure
The 2027 residency is organised into two distinct stages, allowing the writer to first concentrate on their creative work before becoming more actively involved with the university community.
January to August 2027 – Creative Practice
During the first eight months, the Writer in Residence will primarily focus on their own literary practice.
This dedicated period may be used for writing, research, developing new material, revising existing work, or progressing other creative projects. The structure is intended to minimise teaching commitments during this phase and give the writer substantial time to concentrate on their work.
September to December 2027 – University Engagement
From September through December, the writer will take on a more active role within UCC.
Potential activities may include:
- Teaching sessions
- Creative writing workshops
- Student mentoring
- Public literary events
- Discussions and talks
- Other activities involving students and staff
The writer’s formal contact time will be limited to a maximum of four hours per week. They will not be expected to teach core curriculum, allowing the engagement to focus primarily on mentoring, enrichment, creativity, and cultural exchange.
Funding and Support
The successful Writer in Residence will receive a total financial award of €30,000 for the residency.
The funding will consist of:
- €20,000 from the Arts Council
- €10,000 from University College Cork
The total amount will be paid directly to the selected writer in two instalments.
In addition to the financial support, UCC will provide:
- A dedicated workspace
- Administrative assistance
- Access to the university’s academic and cultural environment
- Opportunities to engage with students, staff, and the wider literary community
Eligibility Criteria
The programme is intended for writers who have already established themselves professionally or are at the mid-career stage.
Applicants should:
- Be a mid-career or established writer.
- Be resident in the Republic of Ireland.
- Have a demonstrated record of publication.
- Have published work in at least one of the programme’s eligible literary fields.
- Be able to demonstrate an established body of creative work and a professional track record appropriate to their career stage.
Eligible areas include:
- Prose fiction
- Poetry
- Creative non-fiction
- Graphic novels
- Children’s fiction
- Children’s poetry
Who Cannot Apply?
The following applicants are excluded from the programme:
- Writers who completed an Arts Council/university residency in 2026.
- Writers whose practice is exclusively focused on playwriting.
- Writers who work exclusively as screenwriters.
- Applicants who do not satisfy the programme’s residency, publication, or career-stage requirements.
The fellowship is specifically intended for writers working within the eligible literary disciplines.
How the Fellowship Works
Step 1 – Confirm Your Eligibility
Before applying, candidates should ensure that they meet the core requirements, including Irish residency, career stage, publishing experience, and eligible literary practice.
Applicants should also confirm that they did not participate in an Arts Council/university residency during 2026.
Step 2 – Prepare Your Application
Candidates should provide materials that demonstrate their writing career, publication history, creative achievements, current practice, and suitability for the residency.
A strong application should clearly explain:
- Your experience as a writer
- Your publishing record
- Your current creative practice
- What you hope to achieve during the residency
- How the fellowship would contribute to your creative development
- How you could engage with and contribute to the UCC community
Step 3 – Explain Your Creative Plans
Applicants should outline how having dedicated time and access to the university environment could help them progress their work.
Candidates should present a clear and realistic creative direction while also showing that they understand and are prepared for the university engagement element of the programme.
Step 4 – Submit Your Application
Completed applications and supporting materials should be submitted according to the official programme instructions and within the specified application period.
Step 5 – Complete the 2027 Residency
The successful candidate will undertake the residency during the 2027 calendar year.
The first eight months will focus primarily on independent creative practice, followed by four months of structured engagement with students and staff at UCC.
Why Is the Residency Valuable?
The Writer in Residence programme offers a combination of financial assistance, dedicated creative space, and meaningful engagement with an academic community.
For the selected writer, the €30,000 award and dedicated workspace can provide valuable support while developing creative projects. At the same time, UCC benefits from having an experienced practicing writer contributing to its literary and cultural environment.
The two-stage structure creates a balance between uninterrupted creative development and opportunities to share knowledge, experience, and ideas with students and colleagues.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Arts Council encourages applications from writers who reflect the diversity of Irish society. The programme aims to support a broad range of voices and perspectives within Ireland’s literary and cultural landscape.
Applicants from varied backgrounds and with different creative experiences are encouraged to highlight the distinctive perspectives, ideas, and experiences they could contribute to the residency.
How to Apply?
Learn more about the Fellowship Program
FAQs – Arts Council and UCC Writer in Residence 2027
1. What is the Arts Council and UCC Writer in Residence programme?
The programme is a year-long residency designed to support mid-career and established writers by providing financial assistance, dedicated creative space, and opportunities to engage with students and staff at University College Cork.
2. How much funding does the Writer in Residence receive?
The selected writer will receive a total of €30,000, comprising €20,000 from the Arts Council and €10,000 from University College Cork. The funding will be paid in two instalments.
3. Who can apply for the 2027 Writer in Residence programme?
The opportunity is open to mid-career and established writers who live in the Republic of Ireland and have a demonstrated publishing record. Eligible literary areas include prose fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, graphic novels, children’s fiction, and children’s poetry.
4. What does the residency involve?
The residency has two main phases. From January to August 2027, the writer will primarily focus on their own creative practice. From September to December, they will engage with the UCC community through activities such as workshops, teaching, mentoring, discussions, and public events.
5. Do playwrights and screenwriters qualify for the fellowship?
No. Writers who work exclusively as playwrights or screenwriters are not eligible. The programme is intended for writers working in the specified literary fields, including fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, graphic novels, and children’s literature.
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