CFAs: Arts Council Writer in Residence at University College Dublin (Ireland)

Deadline: 01-Oct-2026

The Arts Council Writer in Residence Program at University College Dublin (UCD) offers a year-long opportunity for a mid-career or established writer resident in the Republic of Ireland to engage with the UCD community while developing their own creative practice. The residency is based at the UCD Mary Lavin Centre for Creative Writing and the School of English, Drama, and Film. The selected writer will receive a dedicated workspace, administrative support and a total award of €30,000. The programme combines engagement with students and staff during the first half of the residency with dedicated time for the writer’s own creative work during the second half.

About the UCD Writer in Residence Programme

The Writer in Residence programme is designed to create meaningful connections between an established writer and the university community. The residency provides the writer with opportunities to share their knowledge and experience through activities such as teaching, workshops, mentoring, public events and collaborations. At the same time, the programme recognises the importance of protecting time for the writer’s own creative development. Residency Structure The year-long residency is divided broadly into two stages. January to June 2027 During the first half of the residency, the selected writer will design and deliver a programme of engagement with the UCD community.

Activities may include:

- Teaching. - Creative writing workshops. - Mentoring students or emerging writers. - Public events. - Collaborations with university groups. - Other appropriate engagement activities. Contact time with staff and students is limited to four hours per week. The writer is not expected to deliver core university curriculum as part of the residency. July Onwards From July onwards, the writer will be supported to concentrate primarily on their own creative practice. This structure allows the residency to combine public and educational engagement with dedicated time for writing and creative development. What Does the Fellowship Provide? The total award is €30,000, which is paid directly to the selected writer in two instalments.

The fellowship also provides:

- A dedicated workspace at University College Dublin. - Administrative support from UCD. - Opportunities to engage with students and staff. - Opportunities for workshops, mentoring and public events. - Time and support to develop the writer’s own creative practice. The combination of financial support, university engagement and dedicated creative space makes the residency suitable for writers seeking both professional engagement and time to advance their work. Who Is Eligible to Apply? The programme is open to mid-career or established writers who are resident in the Republic of Ireland. Applicants must have a publishing track record in one or more of the following areas: - Prose fiction. - Poetry. - Creative non-fiction. - Graphic novels. - Children’s fiction. - Children’s poetry. Applicants must also meet the programme’s definition of a mid-career or established writer. This means applicants must have published at least one full collection, novel or picture book with an independent, recognised publisher. Who Is Not Eligible?

The following applicants are excluded:

- Writers who undertook an Arts Council/university residency in 2026. - Playwrights working exclusively in playwriting. - Screenwriters working exclusively in screenwriting. - Applicants who do not meet the required publishing track record. - Writers who are not resident in the Republic of Ireland. Applicants whose practice includes eligible literary forms should ensure that their application demonstrates a substantial publishing record in the relevant field. What Kind of Writer Is the Residency Looking For? The residency is intended for writers who can contribute meaningfully to the intellectual and creative life of the university while continuing to develop their own practice. A suitable applicant should be able to demonstrate: - A strong body of published work. - A professional track record as a writer. - Experience appropriate to a mid-career or established practitioner. - An ability to engage with students and university staff. - Ideas for workshops, mentoring, teaching or public engagement. - A clear commitment to developing their own creative practice. The residency is not simply a teaching position. It combines community engagement with protected time for creative work. How to Prepare a Strong Application Applicants should clearly demonstrate both their literary achievements and their ability to contribute to the UCD community.

A strong application should explain:

- The applicant’s writing background and publishing record. - Their major creative achievements. - Their experience engaging with readers, students or other communities. - Potential workshops, mentoring activities or public events. - Ideas for collaborating with university groups. - How their residency could contribute to the creative life of UCD. - Their plans for developing their own creative practice. Applicants should also make sure their publishing history clearly demonstrates that they meet the requirement of having published a full collection, novel or picture book with an independent, recognised publisher. Why the UCD Writer in Residence Opportunity Matters Writer-in-residence programmes can create valuable connections between professional writers and university communities. For UCD students and staff, the residency provides access to an experienced writer through workshops, mentoring, events and other creative activities. For the selected writer, the programme provides financial support, a dedicated workspace and an opportunity to spend part of the year engaging with a university community while having dedicated time later in the year for creative development. Key Facts About the Arts Council Writer in Residence Programme

- Host: University College Dublin.

- Residency location: UCD Mary Lavin