Food Lab Fellowship 2027 in the Netherlands | Funded Artistic Residency at the Jan van Eyck Academie

If you are a food artist or designer exploring the complex relationships between food, culture, ecology, and global systems — the applications are now open for the Food Lab Fellowship 2027. Hosted by the Jan van Eyck Academie in collaboration with Maastricht University, this unique, fully immersive residency invites creative practitioners to critically investigate food systems while engaging with a vibrant interdisciplinary community in the Netherlands.

🎓 Fellowship Summary

• Location: Maastricht (with research access in Venlo, Netherlands)

• Host Institution: Jan van Eyck Academie

• Partner Institution:  Maastricht University (System Earth Science – SES)

• Programme Type: Artistic Residency / Fellowship

• Duration: 15 January – 15 December 2027 (11 months)

• Target Group: Food artists, designers, and artistic researchers

• Focus Areas: Food systems, sustainability, ecology, agro-systems, food culture, regenerative practices

• Award Value: €1,750 monthly stipend + €2,250 annual working budget

• Additional Support: Transport support up to €750 (Venlo travel), studio access, research facilities

• Application Deadline: 4 June 2026

• Results Announcement: Early July 2026

• Eligible To: International applicants (individuals only)

📚 Fellowship Overview

The Food Lab Fellowship 2027 is designed for artistic practitioners working at the intersection of food, society, and the environment. The programme encourages applicants to critically explore how food travels across cultures, histories, and ecosystems, while proposing innovative and sustainable approaches to food production and consumption.

The selected Fellow will join a dynamic community of 36–40 artists, designers, curators, and researchers. The residency fosters interdisciplinary exchange and supports experimental, research-driven artistic practices.

The fellowship is embedded within the European cooperation project , which promotes new institutional models focused on sustainability, inclusivity, and artistic innovation across Europe.

🧩 Structure, Facilities, and Activities

The fellowship combines artistic research with scientific collaboration and hands-on experimentation:

• Jan van Eyck Food Lab: A dedicated platform for exploring food-related artistic research, focusing on themes such as food security, sustainable agriculture, food politics, and regenerative systems.

• Interdisciplinary Labs & Resources: Fellows can access multiple labs including Future Materials, Nature Research, Photography & Audiovisual, and Printing & Publishing, as well as a specialized library.

• Scientific Collaboration (SES – Maastricht University): Through the System Earth Science department, fellows gain access to:

  • Experimental food gardens and greenhouses

  • Research on biodiversity, soil systems, and planetary health

  • Tools for studying sustainable and circular food systems

• Regional Network Engagement: Opportunities to collaborate with local farmers, food innovators, and bio-based research initiatives in the Venlo region.

• Public Engagement: Fellows are expected to contribute through workshops, presentations, or collaborations and showcase their work during the Open Studios event in October 2027.

🎁 Fellowship Benefits

• Monthly stipend of €1,750 (80% tax-exempt)

• Annual working budget of €2,250

• Private studio space

• Access to extensive lab facilities and expert guidance

• Collaboration with scientific researchers and students

• Travel support up to €750 for research visits to Venlo

• Participation in a European-funded cultural project

• Exposure through exhibitions and public programmes

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be food artists, designers, or artistic practitioners with a strong research-based practice

• Demonstrate engagement with food-related themes such as sustainability, culture, or ecology

• Submit either a new or ongoing project to be developed during the residency

• Be available to reside in Maastricht (or within a 10 km radius) during the fellowship period

• Apply as an individual (no group applications allowed)

Not Eligible:

• Alumni of the Jan van Eyck Academie

• Former full-time participants of Rijksakademie or De Ateliers

Application Procedure

Applicants must submit a single PDF file (maximum 10 MB) including:

• Motivational letter (max. 500 words)

• Project proposal (max. 500 words)

• Portfolio (maximum 15 pages, recent work within the last 5 years)

• Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)

Additional requirements:

• All materials must be in English

• Ensure all portfolio links (Vimeo, YouTube, etc.) are functional and accessible

• Application fee: €50 (waived for eligible countries and Palestinian artists)

Required Documents

• Motivation letter

• Project proposal

• Portfolio of previous work

• Updated CV

Important Notes

• The fellow must arrange their own accommodation (guidance is provided)

• The programme requires active participation in collaborative and public activities

• The fellowship emphasizes sustainability, experimentation, and interdisciplinary research

• Results of the fellowship will be documented within the Institution(ing)s project

Final Thoughts

The Food Lab Fellowship 2027 offers a rare opportunity for artists and designers to deeply engage with pressing global food challenges through creative research and scientific collaboration. With access to cutting-edge facilities, a strong European network, and a supportive artistic environment, this programme is ideal for those seeking to redefine how we understand and interact with food systems in a rapidly changing world.

Meta Description

Food Lab Fellowship 2027 in the Netherlands offers artists and designers €1,750/month, studio access, and research opportunities at Jan van Eyck Academie. Apply by 4 June 2026.