New Fellows Selected for 2026–2028

Fellowships granted to 63 artists and scientists from 23 countries

Akademie Schloss Solitude is pleased to announce the names of the 63 fellows selected by an international jury for the 2026–2028 fellowship period.

 

Application Process

For the first time, the selection process for the twentieth Solitude fellowship generation was conducted in two stages. This change was introduced in response to the exceptionally high number of applications received in previous open calls.

During the first stage—the preliminary application — 4,700 artists and researchers applied for a fellowship at Akademie Schloss Solitude. Applicants submitted basic information about themselves, their artistic or professional practice, and their motivation through an online application form.

In disciplines with particularly high numbers of applications, an anonymized lottery was conducted after the first stage to ensure an equal opportunity pre-selection for the second stage. The selected applicants were then invited to submit a complete application, including work samples, within a specified deadline. A total of 2,091 complete applications were received for this second stage.

Germany accounted for by far the largest group of applicants, followed by the United States, India, and the United Kingdom. Other countries with particularly strong representation included Iran and Nigeria, reflecting significant participation from both Europe and the Global South.

 
Selection Process & Jury

The international jury comprised 14 distinguished members. Following a multi-day selection process, the jury reviewed the 2,091 complete applications submitted in the second stage and, in accordance with the Akademie Schloss Solitude’s selection guidelines, chose a total of 63 artists and researchers from 23 countries, including seven collectives consisting of two members each.

This selection process determines the recipients of the Akademie Schloss Solitude Fellowship through the end of 2028.

 
Selected Fellows

The 63 selected fellows come from 23 countries. The largest groups are from Germany (16) and the United States (15), followed by China, Colombia, and the United Kingdom with three fellows each, and Australia and Iran with two fellows each. One fellow was selected from each of the remaining countries. As is typical for internationally active artists and researchers, many of the selected fellows no longer live in the country where they were born or raised.

The first fellows of the new generation will arrive in October 2026. Additional arrival dates are scheduled for January, April, and October 2027, as well as January and April 2028.

The next open call for the Solitude Fellowship is planned for autumn 2027. The exact date will be announced in due course.