Organizer Information

Experimental Foundation is a Berlin-based non-profit organization founded by architect Prof. Regine Leibinger. Since 2022, the Foundation has promoted sustainable architectural projects and practices that drive a transformative shift in the building sector. It supports emerging architects in developing, testing, and implementing experimental approaches that integrate Architecture, research, and design practice. The Experimental Fellowship program is run in partnership with revalu, a digital platform providing architects and construction teams with a collaborative workspace and a library of over 35,000 low-carbon construction products to enable informed material decision-making across Europe.

Title & Description

Experimental Fellowship – REVALU 2026–2027

The Experimental Fellowship is a practice-based research program designed for emerging architectural practitioners with applied industry experience. Running from May 2026 to April 2027, the Fellowship supports innovative, regenerative, and low-carbon Architecture projects through funding, mentorship, and access to collaborative digital tools. Participants focus on “Phase Zero” – the initial concept and design stage – where they assess existing conditions, monitor life cycles, and make informed material and process decisions. Fellows will contribute to advancing Sustainable Architecture practices, generating research-based deliverables, and sharing knowledge under a Creative Commons license. The program emphasizes experimentation, professional growth, and systemic approaches to building that can be applied across multiple project typologies.

Categories

Architecture, Design, Research, Interdisciplinary Arts, Sustainable Design, Digital

Eligibility

  • Open to emerging architectural practitioners based in the European region, including Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

  • Must collaborate with clients or project partners (developers, contractors, or public/private institutions) working on new construction or transformation projects.

  • Applicants should propose projects with regenerative, circular, and low-carbon potential.

  • Projects must be 9–12 months in duration, conducted between May 2026 and April 2027.

  • Fluency in English is required; institutional affiliation is optional.

  • First-time applicants are prioritized, but previous fellowship recipients may apply.

  • Applicants cannot be affiliated with the Experimental Foundation or revalu staff.

Program Benefits & Awards

  • Funding up to €60,000 per project, distributed monthly (€5,000/month) for research-related costs (excludes construction).

  • Costs covered may include: project time, specialist expertise (e.g., building physics, craftspeople), prototyping, testing, and certification.

  • Professional mentorship and support from the Experimental Foundation and revalu networks.

  • Access to Reval’s material library and collaborative digital workspace for research and decision-making.

  • Opportunities to translate research into actionable design solutions with high market and ecological impact.

  • Engagement with local and European networks of architects, clients, and experts.

Application Fee

None

Application Requirements

All submissions must be in English via the online application form:

  • Experience: 1-page CV per individual (PDF, A4) detailing professional and academic experience, including roles relevant to the proposed project.

  • Portfolio: Maximum 3 A3 pages (PDF, landscape) with up to 3 reference projects demonstrating implementation capacity. Research or academic projects supporting the proposal are allowed.

  • Fellowship Project Statement: 1 A4 page (150–250 words) outlining the problem, urgency, and intended outcomes; 1 A3 page (PDF, landscape) with concept, methodology, key actors, and visual material.

  • Timeline & Deliverables: Gantt Chart detailing milestones.

  • Budget Framework: Template to outline project costs.

  • Declaration of Ownership: Template confirming project ownership.

  • Optional: Letter of Intent from clients, contractors, or stakeholders.

How to Apply?

Online Application

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: 2 March 2026

  • Evaluation & Interviews: March 2026

  • Jury Selection: April 09, 2026

  • Announcement of Fellows: April 2026

  • Fellowship Period: May 2026 – April 2027 (9–12 months)

Location

Europe

Additional Details

  • The Fellowship prioritizes projects with transferable potential and demonstrable impact on regenerative architecture.

  • Selected fellows must publish outcomes under the program’s communication and licensing framework.

  • Eligible project types include residential, institutional, commercial, or mixed-use developments.

  • Projects integrated into academic curricula are not eligible.

  • The jury is composed of distinguished external experts from institutions such as ETH Zürich, TU Munich, and Weißensee Kunsthochschule Berlin.

Website Link: https://experimental-foundation.org/en/applications/