Currently 7 active writing and translation grants, fellowships and residencies open to applicants in Switzerland. Hand-curated and updated weekly. Almost every entry is funded; a few notable unpaid open calls and festival submissions are included as clearly flagged exceptions. Browse the list below, or use the interactive desk for filtering and shortlisting.
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Residency for writers and translators at the Jan Michalski Foundation in Montricher, Switzerland, set in seven distinctive 'cabin' modules hanging from an openwork canopy, offering conditions to start, continue or finish a writing project. Around forty authors from around the world (emerging to established) are hosted each year. Open to all kinds of writing and all languages, with priority given to literary writers and translators; other disciplines are welcome as long as literature is at the heart of the project. Residencies are for individuals or pairs working on a common project (e.g. a writer and a translator). A percentage of residencies are dedicated to nature writing. WHAT IS PROVIDED: a private cabin for independent living (a separate cabin per person for pairs; one accessible cabin for reduced mobility), travel costs to and from home, a weekly allowance of CHF 400, breakfast and lunch, electric bikes, and daytime library access. ELIGIBILITY: no age or nationality restrictions; beginners accepted; one application per year; former residents may not reapply (families, children and pets cannot be accommodated). Stays cannot be split into multiple periods. Selection is by a panel chaired by Vera Michalski-Hoffmann, assessing the literary quality of the project, the candidate's background, and whether the stay length matches the project scope. APPLICATION: online in English or French (work excerpts may be in any language); the 2027 form is open 2 June to 31 August 2026; selected candidates announced December 2026.
Pro Helvetia's comic creation grant supports the development of comic projects intended for publication, including digital formats. Applicants must have published at least one independent work with a professional publisher or the equivalent in magazines. ELIGIBILITY: requires a connection to Switzerland (Swiss citizenship, or permanent residency with regular artistic activity in Switzerland); not open to practitioners without a Swiss connection. AMOUNT: maximum CHF 25,000. Submission deadline 1 September (23:59 CEST). Apply via the Pro Helvetia portal.
Frankfurter Seilschaften is a Pro Helvetia mentoring initiative pairing emerging Swiss literary practitioners with established authors during the Frankfurt Book Fair. To be eligible as an emerging author, applicants must have completed their artistic training or presented their work publicly for the first time within the last five years; the call also includes professional writers who identify as FINTA. ELIGIBILITY: requires a connection to Switzerland (Swiss citizenship, or permanent residency with regular artistic activity in Switzerland); not open to practitioners without a Swiss connection. WHAT IS OFFERED: hotel and travel expenses, per diems, and trade fair passes. Submission deadline 1 September (23:59 CEST). Apply via the Pro Helvetia portal.
Pro Helvetia's literary creation grant supports the development of literary projects intended for publication, including fiction, children's and youth literature, poetry, drama, and spoken word. Applicants must have prior published work, a premiere, or professional performances. ELIGIBILITY: requires a connection to Switzerland (Swiss citizenship, or permanent residency with regular artistic activity in Switzerland); not open to practitioners without a Swiss connection. AMOUNT: up to CHF 25,000 for writing, CHF 18,000 for theatre texts, or CHF 15,000 for performative literary projects. Deadlines twice a year: 1 March (23:59 CET) and 1 September (23:59 CEST). Apply via the Pro Helvetia portal.
Pro Helvetia's Writing in Residency programme provides residency opportunities (for example Traduki in Southeast Europe or Art Omi) for authors and translators to develop or research projects. Applicants must have prior professionally published work. ELIGIBILITY: requires a connection to Switzerland (Swiss citizenship, or permanent residency with regular artistic activity in Switzerland); not open to practitioners without a Swiss connection. WHAT IS OFFERED: travel and accommodation costs (varying by destination), plus childcare support of up to CHF 1,000 per month for applicants with caregiving responsibilities. Submission deadline 1 September (23:59 CEST). Apply via the Pro Helvetia portal.
Pro Helvetia's international promotion grant (Switzerland-based institutions variant) funds the international promotion of contemporary Swiss literature through book fairs, group publisher appearances, and literary festivals. Open to event organizers, publishing houses, professional associations, and digital platforms based in Switzerland with regular artistic activity there. ELIGIBILITY: requires a connection to Switzerland (Swiss citizenship, or permanent residency with regular artistic activity in Switzerland); not open to practitioners without a Swiss connection. AMOUNT: maximum CHF 25,000. Deadlines twice a year: 1 March (23:59 CET) and 1 September (23:59 CEST). Apply via the Pro Helvetia portal.
Translators' residency at Uebersetzerhaus Looren in Wernetshausen near Zurich. Looren offers a free residency for literary translators with a current contract, including six competitive CHF 4,000 stipend grants per year tied to one-month residencies. The Pro Helvetia residency programme (separately funded) has a 2026-10-15 deadline for 2027 stays. The James Joyce Scholarship and Looren Residency 2027 closes 2026-10-31. General free residencies are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. ELIGIBILITY: literary translators with substantial published work and a current translation contract; any language combination is welcome. Apply via the application page on looren.net. No application fee.