Applications have opened for the 2026 Nederlands Letterenfonds Fellowship, a prestigious international programme designed to support established literary writers from the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands through a fully supported five-month residency at the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study (NIAS).
The fellowship offers selected participants the opportunity to pursue an individual writing or research project while becoming part of an international academic and creative community from February to July 2027.
Fellows will have access to office space, library resources, academic activities and outreach programmes throughout the residency.
Successful applicants will receive a personal stipend of €3,500 per month, subsidised accommodation, reimbursement for an international return flight and access to a multidisciplinary network of researchers, scholars and creative professionals.
The programme is specifically intended for established literary writers who are based in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, including Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten, and who wish to dedicate uninterrupted time to developing a major writing project.
Organisers say the fellowship aims to create an inspiring environment where writers can focus on their work while exchanging ideas with experts from diverse academic disciplines, encouraging new perspectives and creative collaborations.
Applications opened on July 6, 2026, and interested writers must submit their applications no later than August 25, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Central European Time (CET).
Candidates are encouraged to prepare their proposals early to ensure they meet all eligibility and documentation requirements.
The fellowship is jointly supported by the Dutch Foundation for Literature (Nederlands Letterenfonds) and NIAS, both of which have a long history of supporting literary excellence, cultural exchange and interdisciplinary research.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate a strong literary track record and present a compelling writing or research proposal that can benefit from the residency's collaborative environment.
Selection will be based on the quality of the applicant's work, the proposed project and its potential contribution to literature and cultural dialogue.
This fellowship presents a valuable opportunity for established Caribbean writers to advance their literary careers, expand their international networks and complete significant creative projects while receiving financial and institutional support in the Netherlands.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
August 25, 2026 (12:00 p.m. CET)
APPLY HERE
https://nias.knaw.nl/fellowships/writer-residence-fellowship/