Organizer Information
The Jan van Eyck Academie is one of Europe’s leading post-academic institutes for research and development in contemporary art, design, theory, and interdisciplinary practice. Based in Maastricht, the Netherlands, the academy provides artists, designers, curators, writers, and researchers with the time, space, expertise, and infrastructure needed to advance experimental projects and critical inquiry.
A key component of the academy’s research ecosystem is the Future Materials programme, which promotes environmentally conscious artistic and design practices through research into sustainable, non-toxic, circular, and bio-based materials. Through initiatives such as the Future Materials Bank and Future Materials Lab, the academy supports the development and dissemination of innovative material knowledge while encouraging ecological responsibility across creative disciplines.
The fellowships are offered within Future Threads, a regional sustainability initiative supported by the Just Transition Fund (JTF) and co-funded by the European Union. The programme connects fellows with an extensive network of researchers, educational institutions, laboratories, companies, and innovators working on circular and sustainable material transitions.
Title & Description
Future Materials Fellowship & Fashion & Textile Material Fellowship 2027 – Jan van Eyck Academie
The Jan van Eyck Academie invites applications for two fully funded material research fellowships running from 15 January to 15 December 2027. The programme includes one Future Materials Fellowship and one Fashion & Textile Material Fellowship, each designed to support advanced research into sustainable, bio-based, and environmentally responsible material practices.
The fellowships are intended for artists, designers, researchers, and interdisciplinary practitioners who are already developing projects related to material innovation, ecological production methods, and circular design systems.
The Fashion & Textile Material Fellowship supports projects investigating sustainable and bio-based approaches to fashion and textile production. Applicants are encouraged to address environmental, cultural, social, and economic dimensions of material transitions while contributing to more sustainable fashion ecosystems.
The Future Materials Fellowship supports projects focused on innovative materials or material processes that can serve as alternatives to environmentally harmful or difficult-to-recycle materials commonly used in art and design. Research may explore alternatives to fossil-based polymers, epoxy resins, synthetic pigments, inks, plaster, and similar materials.
Throughout the eleven-month fellowship period, selected fellows will work within the Jan van Eyck community alongside artists, curators, designers, writers, and researchers from around the world. Fellows will have access to specialized labs, external research partners, and extensive professional networks dedicated to sustainable innovation and material experimentation.
The outcomes of the fellowships will be presented during the Jan van Eyck Open Studios 2027 and incorporated into the Future Materials Bank, contributing to a growing international archive of sustainable material research.
Categories
- Material Research
- Visual Arts
- Design
- Fashion
- Textile Art
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Environmental Art
- Sustainable Design
- Craft
- Research-Based Practice
- Innovation
- Art & Science
- Circular Design
- Bio-based Materials
Eligibility
Applicants from around the world may apply. Eligible applicants should:
- Be artists, designers, researchers, curators, makers, or interdisciplinary practitioners
- Have an existing research project related to sustainable materials, circular production, or ecological design
- Demonstrate a strong professional practice through previous work and research
- Be able to reside in Maastricht or within a 10 km radius during the fellowship period
- Submit all application materials in English
Not eligible:
- Alumni of the Jan van Eyck Academie
- Former full-time participants of Rijksakademie
- Former full-time participants of De Ateliers
There is no specified age limit.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected fellows will receive:
Financial Support
- Monthly stipend of €1,750
- Annual working budget of €2,250
- Approximately 80% of the stipend is exempt from income tax
Facilities & Resources
- Private studio
- Private studio apartment
- Access to Jan van Eyck Labs and technical facilities
- Support from in-house experts and visiting advisors
Research Opportunities
- Collaboration opportunities with:
- Textile Innovation Maastricht (TIM)
- CHILL at Brightlands Chemelot Campus
- Future Materials Lab
- Material Matters Lab
- Food Lab
- Printing & Publishing Lab
- Photography & Audiovisual Lab
- Jan van Eyck Library
Professional Development
- Participation in the academy’s public programme
- Access to a broad network of sustainability researchers and industry partners
- Presentation of outcomes during Jan van Eyck Open Studios 2027
- Inclusion in the Future Materials Bank archive
Application Fee
- Standard application fee: €50 EUR (excluding VAT)
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a single PDF file (maximum 10 MB) containing:
Required Documents
- Motivational letter (maximum 500 words)
- Project proposal (maximum 500 words)
- Documentation of previous work (maximum 15 pages, 1–2 images per page)
- Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)
Portfolio Requirements
- Work samples should be no older than five years
- Hyperlinks must be functional
- Password-protected materials must include access details
- Vimeo and video links should be properly configured for viewing
All application materials must be presented in English.
How to Apply?
Applicants must complete the appropriate online application form depending on the fellowship they wish to pursue.
Application Links
- Fashion & Textile Material Fellowship Application Form: https://janvaneyck.nl/en/apply
- Future Materials Fellowship Application Form: https://janvaneyck.nl/en/apply
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 24 June 2026
- Selection Results: Mid-September 2026
- Fellowship Period: 15 January 2027 – 15 December 2027
Location
Maastricht, Netherlands
Additional Details
- Fellows are required to accept the accommodation provided by the academy.
- Fellows are expected to live in Maastricht or within a 10 km radius during the programme.
- The programme encourages systemic approaches to sustainability, considering environmental, social, cultural, and economic dimensions.
- Projects should contribute to broader discussions around circular economies and ecological transitions.
- Fellows will become part of a multidisciplinary cohort of approximately 35 artists, designers, curators, writers, and researchers.
- Research outcomes will contribute to the Future Materials Bank, expanding publicly accessible knowledge on sustainable materials.
- The programme is supported by the Just Transition Fund and co-funded by the European Union through the Future Threads initiative.