The Jan Michalski Foundation Residency Program 2027 in Switzerland is now accepting applications from writers and literary creators from around the world. This international residency provides selected participants with dedicated time and space to work on their literary projects in a peaceful setting in Montricher, Switzerland, at the foot of the Swiss Jura Mountains.
The program welcomes applicants of all nationalities and ages, and beginners are also encouraged to apply. Writers, translators and other creators whose projects place literature at the center are eligible to be considered.
Selected residents stay in private residential cabins with views of Lake Geneva, the Alps or the Jura Mountains. The residency also provides financial and logistical support, allowing participants to concentrate on their writing without the distractions of everyday life.
Switzerland Residency Program 2027 Overview
- Host Country: Switzerland
- Host Organization: Jan Michalski Foundation
- Residency Location: Montricher, Switzerland
- Program Type: Literary Residency
- Degree Level: Not applicable
- Eligible Applicants: Writers and literary creators
- Eligible Nationalities: All nationalities
- Age Limit: No age restriction
- Funding: Fully funded support
- Accommodation: Private residential cabin
- Weekly Allowance: CHF 400
- Deadline: August 31, 2026
What Is the Jan Michalski Foundation Residency?
The Jan Michalski Foundation Residency is designed to give writers a dedicated environment in which they can begin, develop or complete a literary project.
The Foundation has seven residential cabins where selected residents can live and work independently. Six cabins offer views toward Lake Geneva and the Alps, while another overlooks the forested slopes of the Jura Mountains.
The residency is not limited to traditional fiction. The Foundation also supports projects connected to nature writing, including fiction and creative nonfiction that explore nature, sustainability and the relationship between people and the environment.
Who Can Apply?
The residency is open to a broad range of literary creators.
Applicants may include:
Fiction writers
Creative nonfiction writers
Poets
Translators
Literary writers
Nature writers
Writers developing a literary project
Writers working on interdisciplinary projects
Collaborative writing teams
The program also considers applicants from other disciplines when literature is at the heart of the proposed project.
Eligible Nationalities
The Jan Michalski Foundation Residency is open to applicants from all nationalities.
There is no requirement to be a citizen of Switzerland or another specific country. International writers can apply provided they meet the program's application requirements.
The residency also accepts literary projects written in all languages.
Age Requirement
There is no age limit for the Jan Michalski Residency.
Both younger and established writers can apply. Importantly, beginners are also welcome, making the opportunity accessible to emerging writers who are developing their first substantial literary project.
Benefits of the Switzerland Residency Program
Selected residents receive financial, accommodation and practical support during their stay.
The benefits include:
Return airfare
Private accommodation in a Foundation residential cabin
CHF 400 weekly allowance
Breakfast and lunch
Daytime access to the Foundation's library
Access to electric bicycles
Opportunities to participate in cultural activities
A quiet environment dedicated to literary creation
Opportunity to live and work in the Swiss Jura region
The combination of private accommodation, meals, an allowance and access to literary resources allows residents to dedicate significant time to their creative work.
Residency Duration
Applicants can request different lengths of residency depending on their project and availability.
The available options include:
2 weeks
1 month
2 months
3 months
Applicants should select a duration that realistically matches the needs of their proposed literary project.
Research and Writing Areas
The residency supports a variety of literary projects.
Potential areas include:
Fiction
Novelists and short-story writers can use the residency to develop new fiction projects or continue existing manuscripts.
Creative Nonfiction
Writers working on memoirs, essays or other forms of literary nonfiction can also apply.
Poetry
Poets can propose projects involving the creation, development or completion of a collection or other substantial poetic work.
Translation
Translators are given particular consideration and can use the residency to work on literary translation projects.
Nature Writing
The Foundation dedicates part of its residency programme to projects exploring:
Nature
Sustainability
Environmental issues
Human relationships with nature
The environment
Ecological themes
Eligibility Criteria
The Jan Michalski Foundation Residency has an inclusive eligibility structure.
Applicants should meet the following criteria:
Applicants from all nationalities can apply.
There is no age limit.
Beginners are welcome.
Writers and translators receive priority.
Applicants from other disciplines may be considered when literature is central to their project.
Applications can be submitted individually.
Collaborative projects can also be considered.
Projects can be written in any language.
Applicants should have a clear literary project suitable for development during the residency.
The residency is particularly suitable for writers who need uninterrupted time to start, continue or complete a substantial literary project.
Can Beginners Apply?
Yes.
Unlike some literary residencies that focus primarily on established authors, the Jan Michalski Foundation Residency also welcomes beginners.
Applicants do not necessarily need an extensive publication history to be considered. The proposed literary project and its suitability for the residency are important parts of the application.
Can You Apply as a Group?
Yes. Applications can be submitted for collaborative projects.
This makes the residency suitable not only for individual writers but also for people working jointly on literary projects or interdisciplinary projects where literature remains central.
How to Apply for the Switzerland Residency Program 2027
Applications must be submitted online through the Jan Michalski Foundation's official application process.
Before submitting an application, candidates should prepare their literary project information and supporting materials according to the Foundation's requirements.
A strong application should clearly communicate:
What literary project you want to develop
What stage the project is currently at
What you hope to accomplish during the residency
Why the residency environment would benefit your work
How much time you need to complete your proposed work
Applicants should also carefully review the Foundation's current application instructions before submission.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the Jan Michalski Switzerland Residency Program 2027 is:
August 31, 2026.
Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline and allow sufficient time to complete all required application materials.
Why Apply for the Jan Michalski Residency?
The residency offers more than financial assistance. It provides writers with an opportunity to step away from their normal environment and dedicate uninterrupted time to literary creation.
The peaceful surroundings of Montricher, private accommodation, access to the Foundation's library and opportunities for cultural engagement can provide an ideal environment for developing a manuscript or other literary project.
For emerging writers, the program can also provide valuable international exposure and the opportunity to become part of a community of writers and cultural creators.
Official Call: https://culture360.asef.org/opportunities/switzerland-residency-for-writers-and-translators-2026/
Final Thoughts
The Jan Michalski Switzerland Residency Program 2027 is an excellent opportunity for writers who need dedicated time and a supportive environment to develop a literary project. With applications open to all nationalities and ages, the program is accessible to both emerging and established literary creators.
The residency provides private accommodation, financial support, meals, library access and other facilities in the beautiful Swiss Jura region. Writers can request stays ranging from two weeks to three months, depending on their project.
If you are working on fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, translation, nature writing or another literary project, this residency can provide the time and environment needed to make meaningful progress. The application deadline is August 31, 2026.
