Columbia Institute for Ideas and Imagination Fellowship 2027–2028

Applications open 30 September 2026

Programme details

The Columbia Institute for Ideas and Imagination brings together a small international cohort of up to 15 Fellows at Reid Hall in Paris. Roughly half of the cohort comes from Columbia University and the other half from the wider creative community, including artists and writers from around the world. The fellowship is designed to provide protected time, workspace, intellectual exchange, and research access for Fellows to develop ambitious independent projects.

From 1 September 2027 to 31 May 2028, Fellows work on their proposed projects while taking part in the Institute’s interdisciplinary community. The programme values sustained exchange between artists, writers, scholars, filmmakers, composers, and other creative thinkers. Fellows may also have opportunities to host workshops and conferences during the year.

This is an in-person residential fellowship in Paris, not a remote grant. Regular participation in the community is a core condition of the award. Fellows are expected to work from the Institute and keep other professional obligations to a minimum. Columbia states that the stipend may be prorated in cases of extensive absence.

Applicants may apply through one of three routes: Columbia University faculty, eligible recent Columbia PhD graduates, or the external Creative Arts category.
External Creative Arts applicants must not be affiliated with Columbia University.
External Creative Arts applicants may be of any nationality but cannot be residing permanently in the United States.
The Creative Arts category includes visual and sound arts, film, composing, writing, and other creative practices.
Columbia post-doctoral applicants must have completed their PhD and defended their dissertation at Columbia University between September 2024 and 31 December 2026.
The faculty category is open to eligible Columbia University, Barnard College, and Teachers College faculty; adjunct professors and lecturers are eligible only when their appointment extends beyond the fellowship year.
Applications must be submitted in English, which is also the working language of the Institute.
Applicants must apply as individuals; the Institute cannot accommodate group applications.
Selected Fellows must be based at the Institute in Paris and participate regularly in the residential community throughout the fellowship.
Fellows are expected to keep outside professional obligations, including teaching, speaking engagements, and research travel, to a minimum during the fellowship.

$75,000 fellowship stipend for the full September 2027–May 2028 academic year
Dedicated office at the Institute for Ideas and Imagination at Reid Hall in Paris
Administrative and research support throughout the fellowship
Access to Columbia University libraries and associated research facilities
Access to research resources in Paris and elsewhere in Europe
Nine months of protected time to develop an independent creative or intellectual project
Participation in a small interdisciplinary international community of artists, writers, and scholars
Opportunities to host workshops and conferences during the fellowship year

Important dates

30 Sep 2026
Application deadline
1 Sep 2027
Fellowship begins
31 May 2028
Fellowship ends

Required documents

Applicant information

Complete the online application with the requested personal information, including address, citizenship, education, and affiliation.
Curriculum vitae

Submit a current CV presenting your relevant academic, professional, or creative record.
Project description

A project description of up to 1,500 words explaining the work you intend to pursue during the fellowship.
Work sample

Submit a representative sample of your work. The public fellowship page does not state one universal format or length for all creative disciplines; follow any format-specific instructions shown inside the application portal.
Three letters of recommendation

Three new recommendation letters are required. The Institute does not accept dossier letters in place of new letters prepared for the fellowship application.

Columbia Institute for Ideas and Imagination Fellowship 2027–2028

Programme details

Eligibility requirements

Benefits

Important dates

Required documents