AK Travels Limited

Summary

• Host Country: Switzerland
• Host Organisation: Jan Michalski Foundation
• Location: Montricher, Switzerland
• Programme: Residency for Writers and Translators
• Residency Period: From mid-January 2027 onward
• Duration: 2 weeks to 3 months
• Eligible Applicants: Writers, translators and other disciplines where literature is central
• Nationality Requirement: No nationality restriction
• Age Requirement: No age restriction
• Funding: Accommodation + travel costs + CHF 400 weekly allowance + breakfast and lunch
• Application Language: English or French
• Application Deadline: 31 August 2026, 5 p.m. Swiss time
• Selection Announcement: December 2026

About the Scholarship/Programme

The Jan Michalski Foundation Residency for Writers and Translators is an international literary residency programme located in Montricher at the foot of the Swiss Jura Mountains.

The Foundation provides writers and other literary practitioners with dedicated time and space to begin, continue or complete a writing project. The programme is open to different forms of writing and languages, while giving particular priority to literary writers and translators.

The residency takes place in a distinctive setting consisting of seven residential cabins. Six cabins overlook Lake Geneva and the Alps, while another faces the forested slopes of the Jura. Residents also have access to the Foundation’s library and may participate in cultural activities organised by the Foundation.

The programme is not restricted to established authors. The Foundation explicitly states that beginners are accepted, making the quality of the proposed literary project and the applicant’s motivation particularly important for those without an extensive professional background.

A percentage of the available residencies is dedicated to nature writing, including fiction and creative non-fiction exploring nature, sustainability, socio-environmental relationships and the impact of human activity on the natural world.

Scholarship Benefits

Successful residents receive substantial support during their stay.

Accommodation

Each resident is allocated one of the Foundation’s seven cabins for the approved residency period. The cabins provide an independent living and working environment.

For collaborative projects involving two people, each selected participant receives a separate cabin.

Travel Costs

The Foundation covers the resident’s travel costs to and from their home address.

Weekly Allowance

Residents receive a CHF 400 weekly allowance during their residency.

Meals

The Foundation provides breakfast and lunch. Residents can also purchase additional food from the local village shop.

Additional Facilities

Residents have access to:

• The Foundation’s library during the day.
• Electric bicycles.
• Cultural activities organised by the Foundation.
• A dedicated environment for literary creation and exchange.

The Foundation does not accommodate families, children or pets during the residency.

Who Can Apply?

The programme has unusually broad eligibility requirements.

Applicants:

• Can be of any nationality.
• Have no age restriction.
• Can be beginners.
• May apply individually or as part of a pair working on a common project.
• May be writers, translators or practitioners from another discipline where literature is at the heart of the project.

The Foundation specifically gives priority to literary writers and translators. Collaborative applications can involve, for example, a writer and translator, two writers, or a writer working with someone from another discipline.

There are two important restrictions: candidates may submit only one application per year, and former residents of the Foundation are not allowed to reapply.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Define Your Literary Project

Before applying, identify the specific writing or translation project you intend to develop during the residency.

The Foundation evaluates the literary quality of the project, so the proposal should clearly communicate what you intend to work on and why a residency is appropriate for that project.

Step 2: Choose the Appropriate Residency Length

Residencies may last from two weeks to one, two or three months.

The requested duration should correspond realistically with the scope of the proposed project. The Foundation reserves the right to offer a different period depending on availability.

Step 3: Prepare the Required Application

Applications are submitted online. The Foundation requires applicants to follow every step and provide all requested documents.

Applications may be submitted in English or French, while excerpts from current or previously published work may be submitted in any language.

Step 4: Submit the Complete Application

Submit the application online before the deadline.

Incomplete applications will not be considered, and the Foundation states that applications cannot be modified or supplemented with additional documents after submission.

Step 5: Wait for the Jury Decision

Applications are assessed by an expert panel chaired by Vera Michalski-Hoffmann.

The selection considers:

1. The literary quality of the proposed project.
2. The candidate’s professional background.
3. Whether the requested residency duration matches the project’s scope.

For beginners, the Foundation assesses the quality of the project and the motivation demonstrated in the application.

Important Deadline

The application window for the 2027 residencies opened on 2 June 2026.

The deadline is:

31 August 2026 at 5 p.m. Swiss time.

The Foundation plans to announce the selected candidates in December 2026, with the first residents expected to arrive from mid-January 2027.

Related Opportunities

• ARES International Training Scholarships 2027/2028 in Belgium | Fully Funded Bachelor’s, Master’s & Continuing Education
• Hong Kong International Writers’ Workshop 2027
• Clark University Presidential Scholarship 2027 in the USA | Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarship

Official Application Link

Final Note from AK Travels LTD

This opportunity is best understood as a fully supported literary residency, rather than a conventional university scholarship.

The most important point for applicants is that the Foundation does not impose an age or nationality restriction and explicitly accepts beginners. This means that the quality and clarity of the proposed literary project can be decisive, particularly for applicants who do not yet have an extensive publication record.

Applicants should also avoid treating the application as a general request to “visit Switzerland.” The Foundation evaluates the literary project itself, the applicant’s background and whether the requested length of stay is appropriate for the work proposed.

The strongest approach is therefore to present a clearly defined project, explain exactly what you intend to accomplish during the residency, select a realistic duration and provide writing samples that allow the jury to assess your literary ability.

At AK Travels LTD, we encourage applicants to submit a complete and carefully prepared application well before the 31 August 2026 deadline.

Website: http://www.aktravelsltd.com