Open Call: Writers and Literary Translators’ Residencies Program

Deadline: 15-Oct-2026

Château de Lavigny offers four-week residencies for published writers and literary translators from around the world. The programme provides selected residents with a dedicated period for creative work, professional exchange, and participation in an international literary community. Several fellowship options are available, including fellowships offering stipends and accommodation, accommodation-only support, and Pro Helvetia Swiss Arts Council fellowships that can also cover travel expenses for eligible literary translators.

About the Château de Lavigny Residencies

The Château de Lavigny residencies provide published writers and literary translators with an opportunity to focus on their creative work while engaging with an international community of writers and translators. The residency programme welcomes literary professionals working across different forms, including fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, literary translation, plays, and screenplays. Residency sessions take place from May to October each year, with each session lasting four weeks. What Support Is Available? Several fellowship options are available through the residency programme. Support varies depending on the fellowship and may include: - A stipend and lodging through the Ledig-Rowohlt Grant Fellowship. - Lodging through the Château de Lavigny Grant Fellowship. - Stipend, lodging, and travel expenses through Pro Helvetia Swiss Arts Council Fellowships for eligible translators working on Swiss projects. - Additional support from Swiss cantons, foundations, or foreign institutions, depending on the fellowship. Because support packages vary, applicants should check the specific fellowship conditions applicable to their application. Ledig-Rowohlt Grant Fellowship The Ledig-Rowohlt Grant Fellowship provides selected residents with both a stipend and lodging. This fellowship allows published writers and literary professionals to spend four weeks at Château de Lavigny while focusing on their creative work and participating in the international residency community. Château de Lavigny Grant Fellowship The Château de Lavigny Grant Fellowship provides lodging for selected residents. The fellowship gives writers and literary translators the opportunity to live and work at the Château while taking part in the programme’s communal and literary activities. Pro Helvetia Swiss Arts Council Fellowships Pro Helvetia Swiss Arts Council fellowships are available for literary translators working on eligible Swiss projects.

The support can include:

- Stipend. - Lodging. - Travel expenses. Literary translators applying for this fellowship must have a signed contract for the translation of a Swiss author. Other Fellowship Opportunities Additional fellowships may be supported by: - Swiss cantons. - Foundations. - Foreign institutions. The level and type of support can vary between these opportunities. Applicants should therefore review the requirements and funding conditions of the particular fellowship they are applying for. Who Can Apply? The residencies are open to published writers and literary translators from around the world.

Applicants may work in:

- Fiction. - Creative nonfiction. - Poetry. - Literary translation. - Plays. - Screenplays. Applicants must meet the programme’s publication or production requirements to be considered. Publication Requirements Applicants must have published at least one book. The book must have been published through a publisher and must not be self-published. For playwrights and scriptwriters, applicants must have had their work published or produced. This requirement is intended to ensure that the residency is aimed at established published or produced literary professionals. Requirements for Literary Translators Literary translators applying for the Pro Helvetia fellowship have an additional requirement. They must have a signed contract for the translation of a Swiss author. This requirement applies specifically to translators seeking the Pro Helvetia Swiss Arts Council fellowship. Residency Period and Duration Residency sessions are held between May and October each year.

Each session lasts:

- Four weeks. - Up to six residents per session. The limited number of residents allows participants to work independently while also having opportunities for meaningful interaction with other members of the international cohort. Accommodation at Château de Lavigny Residents are provided with private rooms in the Château during their residency. The accommodation forms part of the fellowship arrangements, although the exact level of financial support depends on the fellowship received. Residents can use the residency period to concentrate on their creative projects while living alongside other writers and literary translators. International Creative Community A key part of the residency is the opportunity to engage with an international creative community. Residents interact through activities such as: - Communal aperitifs. - Weekly dinners. - Informal discussions and exchanges. - A public reading event held during each session. These activities encourage residents to exchange ideas, experiences, and perspectives across different literary traditions and countries. Language Requirements Residents are expected to be fluent in English or French. Language proficiency is important because residents come from an international range of backgrounds and are expected to participate meaningfully in conversations, communal activities, and the public reading event. Public Reading Event Each residency session includes a public reading event. Residents are expected to participate in this event, providing an opportunity to share their literary work with an audience and engage with the wider community. Accessibility The Château is not easily accessible for people with mobility issues. Applicants with mobility requirements should take this accessibility limitation into consideration before applying. How to Prep