Columbia University’s Institute for Ideas and Imagination is offering a US$75,000 stipend for an academic-year residency at Reid Hall in Paris. International artists and writers who are not permanently residing in the United States can apply through the creative arts category by 30 September 2026.
Key Details
Funding and Fellowship Benefits
The Institute lists the following support for the full academic-year fellowship:
- A US$75,000 fellowship stipend.
- A private office at the Institute in Reid Hall.
- Administrative and research support.
- Access to Columbia University libraries.
- Access to research facilities in Paris and elsewhere in Europe.
Who Can Apply?
The Institute accepts applicants in three categories:
- Columbia University faculty: Columbia tenured and tenure-track faculty, Barnard faculty and Teachers College faculty. Adjunct professors and lecturers are eligible only when their appointment extends beyond the fellowship year.
- Columbia University postdoctoral applicants: Candidates in any subject who completed and defended a Columbia PhD between September 2024 and 31 December 2026.
- Creative arts applicants: People working in fields including visual art, sound art, film, composition and writing who are not affiliated with Columbia University. Regardless of nationality, applicants in this category cannot be permanently residing in the United States.
Groups cannot apply. Only faculty applicants may request a single-semester fellowship; the international creative arts route is for the full academic year.
Required Application Materials
- Personal information, including address, citizenship, education and affiliation.
- Curriculum vitae (CV).
- A project description of 1,500 words.
- A sample of the applicant’s work.
- Three letters of recommendation.
The official page does not list a separate application fee.
How to Apply
- Choose the correct applicant category and confirm every eligibility condition.
- Open the Institute’s official online application portal.
- Create or access your portal account.
- Complete the personal, education, citizenship and affiliation fields.
- Upload the CV, 1,500-word project description and work sample.
- Arrange three recommendation letters through the application system.
- Review and submit the complete application no later than 30 September 2026.
Important Dates
| Milestone | Official information |
|---|---|
| Application status | Open for 2027–2028 |
| Application deadline | 30 September 2026 |
| Exact cutoff time and time zone | Not listed by the Institute |
| Residency period | September 2027 through May 2028 |
| Decision date | Not listed |
The official call does not state a cutoff time or time zone.
Selection Notes
The Institute plans a cohort of up to 15 Fellows, with approximately half drawn from Columbia faculty and postdoctoral scholars and the other half from artists and writers around the world. The official call does not publish an interview schedule, selection timetable, acceptance rate or scoring rubric.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the fellowship worth?
The official stipend is US$75,000 for the full academic year.
Can international applicants apply?
Yes. The creative arts category accepts non-Columbia artists and writers from around the world, provided they are not permanently residing in the United States.
Are researchers eligible?
Columbia faculty and eligible Columbia PhD graduates have dedicated categories. For applicants without a Columbia affiliation, the official public route is the creative arts category.
Is there an application fee?
No application fee is listed on the official fellowship page or application portal.
Is IELTS or TOEFL required?
The official fellowship page does not list a standardized English test or separate language certificate.
Are travel and accommodation covered?
The official page lists the US$75,000 stipend, office, support and research access, but does not separately state that travel or accommodation is covered.
What is the exact deadline time?
The published deadline is 30 September 2026. An exact cutoff time and time zone are not listed, so applicants should submit early.
Official Sources
Related Opportunities
Prepare Your Application
Develop the 1,500-word project description, choose a strong work sample and contact three recommenders before opening the official portal.
Apply NowVerification disclaimer: ScholarshipHubNow verified this guide against current Columbia University Institute for Ideas and Imagination sources on 12 September 2026. Details can change; confirm the latest conditions on the official call before submitting.
