Emergence Art+Science Fellowships — a grant of up to €20,000 for artists and the Emergence 2027 festival
The opportunity to create a new artistic project, work in dialogue with researchers, and present the result at an international festival is at the core of the Emergence Art+Science Fellowships programme. Selected participants receive up to €20,000 in production funding, support from scientific partners, and nearly a year to develop their project before its premiere at Emergence 2027 in Amsterdam.
The programme is organised within the Emergence at All Scales (EAAS) research consortium, which brings together researchers in mathematics, physics, astronomy, chemistry, and related disciplines. The central theme is the emergence of complex systems and processes: from the origins of space and time to collective behaviour, social structures, and intelligent materials. Artists are invited to explore these questions through contemporary artistic practices and create projects that help broader audiences engage with complex scientific ideas.
What projects are supported
Applications are welcome from artists, collectives, and interdisciplinary teams.
Supported formats include:
— visual art;
— digital art;
— film and video;
— documentary projects;
— installations and sculpture;
— theatre and performance;
— music and sound art;
— interdisciplinary practices.
Particular interest is given to projects that can continue their exhibition, educational, or public life beyond the festival. Organisers are looking not only for finished artistic outcomes but also for new ways of connecting art, science, and society.
What participants receive
Selected projects may receive a budget of up to €20,000, which can be used for production, equipment, materials, space rental, travel, accommodation, and festival presentation costs.
In addition to funding, the programme provides:
— collaboration with EAAS researchers;
— curatorial support throughout project development;
— access to university spaces for meetings and work where possible;
— presentation of the completed project at Emergence 2027;
— potential inclusion in educational and public engagement programmes connected to the consortium.
For many artists, access to a research environment may be just as valuable as the funding itself. The programme is designed to foster long-term collaboration between artists and the scientific community.
What you need to prepare
Applications must include:
— a project proposal of up to three pages;
— a one-page project budget;
— a CV;
— a portfolio of previous work.
The proposal should explain the artistic concept, its connection to the theme of emergence, the intended audience, the project plan, and engagement with relevant research. Organisers also ask applicants to demonstrate how conversations with researchers have already influenced the development of the proposal.
Selection process
The jury evaluates artistic quality, the strength of the connection to EAAS research, the ability to translate complex scientific ideas into an accessible public experience, project feasibility, and the potential for the work to continue beyond the festival.
Following the initial review, shortlisted candidates will be invited to interviews during summer 2026. Final decisions are made jointly by consortium researchers, partner organisations, and the programme’s curatorial team.
Who the programme is especially suited for
The programme may be particularly relevant for:
— artists working at the intersection of art and science;
— creators of research-based and documentary projects;
— media artists;
— installation and exhibition makers;
— theatre, music, and performance collectives;
— interdisciplinary teams.
It is especially valuable for artists interested in working with scientific institutions, research topics, and international audiences. It also offers a rare opportunity to secure funding for experimental projects that may not fit within traditional arts programmes.
What to keep in mind
Organisers emphasise that they are not seeking illustrations of scientific research but independent artistic statements. Projects may respond to specific EAAS research areas or address the broader theme of emergence and complex systems.
The work must be ready for public presentation by May 2027. Participants should also be prepared for ongoing collaboration with researchers and programme partners, participation in meetings, and the presentation of interim results throughout the development process.
The deadline for applications is 30 June 2026.
