Open call: Residency for Writers in Amsterdam

The Spui residency is where John Green wrote his famous novel The Fault in Our Stars', where Polish author and Nobel Prize laureate Olga Tokarczuk worked on her novel Flights, and where South African author Etienne van Heerden completed his 30 Nights in Amsterdam. The residency is situated in the lively historic and literary heart of Amsterdam, and in its academic center, with the University of Amsterdam library across the street and the famous Athenaeum Bookshop as downstairs neighbour. Read more about the residency here.  

The guest author uses their time in Amsterdam for their own work and research, but they are also involved in the city’s literary and cultural life. Candidates may be asked to give public performances, guest lectures or readings for students and to write articles for newspapers or magazines. The residency period lasts around four to six weeks and the author receives a residency grant. Separate travel or living costs are not provided.  

The Dutch Foundation for Literature invites approximately seven authors yearly, two of which are often invited in collaboration with Poetry International and International Literature Festival Utrecht.  

Only authors whose work has been translated into Dutch, by a Dutch publishing house, can apply. Novelists, poets, children book writers and are eligible for the programme. Even though the programme is mainly intended for European authors, it does not exclude authors from outside Europe. 

The selection is influenced by the way in which the writer in residence might play their part in Amsterdam or the Netherlands. During their stay, most guest writers promote the translation of one of their books or to attend a literary festival as well Keep in mind that most writers selected for the programme have a specific reason for coming to Amsterdam. Preference is given to authors whose Dutch translation will be published during the same year.

If you are a foreign author interested in the Amsterdam Residency Programme please read the conditions carefully. 

If you represent a (foreign) organization (e.g. publishing house or cultural institute) it is also possible to recommend an author to our programme. Please write us an e-mail explaining why you think the author is a suitable candidate and we will respond in due time. Please note that authors that have not found a Dutch publisher yet, do not meet our requirements. 

If you are an author and have plans for 2025 with a Dutch publishing house, literary translator or other parties in the Netherlands, please note this in your application. If possible, add their recommendation.  

A residency takes place by invitation or in collaboration with Dutch publishing houses or literary organizations.  

If you think you meet the programme’s requirements, send an e-mail with a CV, bibliography and one-page description of your residency plan to residencies@letterenfonds.nl. You can apply for a stay in 2025 until September 1st 2024.   

Please note: unfortunately, the residency is not suitable for people with accessibility needs, as the apartment is not adapted for special needs and not equipped with an elevator.