RFPs: Arts Council Writer in Residence Programme at University College Cork (Ireland)

Deadline: 01-Oct-2026

The Arts Council and University College Cork (UCC) are inviting applications from mid-career and established writers for the 2027 Writer in Residence Fellowship. The fellowship offers a €30,000 award, dedicated workspace, and administrative support, while giving the selected writer time to develop their creative practice and engage with the UCC community. 2027 Writer in Residence Fellowship – Overview The Arts Council Writer in Residence programme at University College Cork (UCC) is designed to support established and mid-career writers while strengthening the university’s literary and cultural environment. The selected Writer in Residence will be based in the School of English and Digital Humanities at UCC throughout 2027. The residency combines dedicated time for the writer’s own creative work with opportunities to engage with students and staff through teaching, workshops, mentoring, and public events. The programme is intended to provide financial support and a supportive academic environment where writers can develop their work while contributing to the cultural life of the university. 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 to December 2027

- Funding: €30,000

- Arts Council Contribution: €20,000

- University Contribution: €10,000

- Eligible Applicants: Mid-career and established writers

- Eligible Writing Areas: Prose fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, graphic novels, and children’s literature

- Workspace: Dedicated workspace provided by UCC

- Additional Support: Administrative support

- Residency Structure: Creative practice followed by university engagement

What Is the 2027 Writer in Residence Fellowship Designed to Achieve?

The fellowship aims to:

- Provide financial support for writers to focus on their creative practice. - Create opportunities for writers to develop new work. - Bring practicing writers into direct contact with university students and staff. - Strengthen the literary and cultural environment at UCC. - Encourage knowledge-sharing between writers and the university community. - Provide students with opportunities to learn from an experienced practicing writer. - Increase cultural engagement across the university. Who Will the Writer in Residence Work With? During the residency, the selected writer will become part of the cultural and academic environment of UCC. The writer will have opportunities to interact with: - Students - Academic staff - University staff - Writers and literary communities - Members of the wider public through appropriate events The engagement component is designed to encourage meaningful interaction without turning the residency into a conventional full-time teaching position. Residency Structure The 2027 residency is divided into two main phases. January to August 2027 – Creative Practice From January through August, the Writer in Residence will primarily focus on their own creative practice. This period provides the writer with dedicated time to develop, write, research, or otherwise advance their creative work. The arrangement is intended to give the selected writer space away from extensive teaching obligations so they can concentrate on their literary work. September to December 2027 – Engagement With UCC From September through December, the writer will become more actively involved with students and staff.

Possible activities include:

- Teaching - Workshops - Mentoring - Public events - Literary discussions - Other appropriate activities involving students and staff Contact time will be limited to a maximum of four hours per week. The writer will not be required to deliver core curriculum, allowing the engagement to remain focused on enrichment, mentoring, creativity, and cultural exchange. Funding Available The selected Writer in Residence will receive a total award of €30,000. The funding is provided through two contributions: - €20,000 from the Arts Council - €10,000 from University College Cork The €30,000 award will be paid directly to the selected writer in two instalments. In addition to the financial award, UCC will provide: - A dedicated workspace - Administrative support - A university environment for creative and cultural engagement Who Is Eligible? Applicants must meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.

Eligible applicants should:

- Be a mid-career or established writer. - Be resident in the Republic of Ireland. - Have a demonstrated publishing track record. - Have published work in one or more eligible literary areas.

Eligible areas include:

- Prose fiction - Poetry - Creative non-fiction - Graphic novels - Children’s fiction - Children’s poetry Applicants should be able to demonstrate an established body of literary work and a professional track record appropriate to a mid-career or established writer. Who Is Not Eligible? The following applicants are not eligible: - Writers who undertook an Arts Council/university residency in 2026. - Writers who work exclusively as playwrights. - Writers who work exclusively as screenwriters. - Applicants who do not meet the residency and publishing requirements. The programme is specifically aimed at writers whose practice aligns with the eligible literary fields. How the Fellowship Works Step 1 – Check Eligibility Applicants should first confirm that they: - Live in the Republic of Ireland. - Are mid-career or established writers. - Have an appropriate publishing record. - Work in one or more eligible literary disciplines. - Have not undertaken an Arts Council/university residency during 2026. Step 2 – Prepare Your Application Applicants should prepare materials demonstrating their literary career, publishing history, creative practice, and suitability for the residency. A strong application should clearly communicate: - The applicant’s writing experience. - Previous publications. - C