International residencies and capability building programmes play a significant role in encouraging cultural exchange between countries. To support Singapore writers’ participation at such platforms, the National Arts Council (NAC) works with various international partners to offer fully paid residency awards to Singapore writers across Singapore’s four major languages, English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. Our partners have included the Lu Xun Academy of Literature (China), the Toji Cultural Foundation (South Korea), the National Centre for Writing (UK), Sangam House (India), and the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program (USA).
Each residency offers unique opportunities for creative development, cultural exchange, and professional networking within established international literary communities. Our partnership with the University of Iowa's International Writing Program offers immersion in America's oldest multinational writing residency:
National Centre for Writing (NCW) – Singapore Residency Programme 2025
Open Call has concluded for the 2025 programme.
Residency Programme Dates:
| Programme | Details |
In-Person Programme |
A 1-month long, in-person residency at the National Centre for Writing, in Norwich (UK) in the month of:
|
| Virtual Programme (part-time) | A 6-month long, online, part-time residency with the National Centre for Writing (UK) for:
|
Applicants should decide which programme they would prefer; they may apply for only one programme.
Application Deadline: 4 March 2025 (Tuesday), 2359hrs
About the National Centre for Writing (UK): The National Centre for Writing (NCW), previously known as Writers’ Centre Norwich, has had a long history in working with writers and writing. As a major literary arts portfolio organisation in the UK, it is funded by the Arts Council England and has strong links with the British Centre for Literary Translation (BCLT). Based in Norwich, one of the UNESCO Cities of Literature, NCW aims to be a physical and virtual space for writers, literary translators and those working in the world of literature to meet, learn and collaborate. In addition to their literary programming for the reading public, NCW organises workshops, mentoring and other opportunities for writers and translators at different stages in their career, and participates in projects that range from international partnerships to literary festivals. More details here: www.nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk
Residency Funding:
| Programme | Funding Details |
| In-Person Programme | The selected participants will receive a stipend to cover meals and have their airfare, lodging, transport, insurance and hospitality costs (to participate in the activities required by the programme) covered while they attend the residency. |
| Virtual Programme (part-time) | The selected participants will receive a stipend to work on their proposed project(s) and participate in activities required by the programme. |
For more details about the programme, please refer to the Application Guidelines.
Application Procedure:
To apply, please submit the following via email to gladys_chua@nac.gov.sg by 4 March 2025 (Tuesday), 2359hrs:
- The completed Application Form.
- A covering letter, stating why you believe you would benefit from this mentorship.
- Your CV or resume.
| 2025 Dates | Milestones |
| 4 March 2025 (Tuesday), 2359hrs | Applications close |
| 31 March 2025 | Notification of results |
| June 2025 | Start of virtual residency |
| July 2025/October 2025 | Start of in-person residency |
| Year | Participants |
| 2019 Physical Residency | • JY Neon Yang (fiction writer) • Jeremy Tiang (Chinese-English literary translator) |
| 2020 | None, due to COVID |
| 2021 Virtual Residency; Jun-Dec 2021 | • Nuraliah Norasid (fiction writer) • Jennifer Anne Champion (poet) • Nazry Bahrawi (Malay-English literary translator) |
| 2022 Virtual Residency; Jun-Dec 2022 | • Akshita Nanda (fiction writer) • Crispin Rodrigues (poet) • Daryl Qilin Yam (fiction writer) |
| 2023 Physical Residency, Jun-Jul/Jul-Aug 2023; Virtual Residency, Jun-Dec 2023 | Participants of Physical Residency: • Meihan Boey (fiction writer) • Wayne Rée (fiction writer) Participants of Virtual Residency: • Nur-El-Hudaa Jaffar (English-Malay translator) • Sim Wai-chew (Chinese-English translator) • Tse Hao Guang (poet) |
| 2024 Physical Residency, July, September 2024, February 2025; Virtual Residency, Jun-Dec 2024 | Participants of Physical Residency: • Christina Ng (Chinese-English translator) • Gabriel Wu (poet-writer) • Lee Wen-yi (fiction writer) Participants of Virtual Residency: • Jerrold Yam (poet) • Joyce Chua (fiction writer) • Lisabelle Tay (poet-writer) • Marylyn Tan (poet) |
| 2025 Physical Residency, July, October 2025; Virtual Residency, Jun – Dec 2025 | Participants of Physical Residency: • Clara Chow • Choo Yi Feng • Sithuraj Ponraj Participants of Virtual Residency: • Esther Vincent Xueming • Inbha • Melanie Lee |
| Key Residencies | In-Person or Virtual | Country | Duration | Approximate Dates |
| National Centre for Writing Residency Programme | In-person | UK | 1 month | Typically in June or July |
| National Centre for Writing Virtual Residency Programme | Virtual | Anywhere | 7 months | From June to December |
| University of Iowa’s International Writing Program Fall Residency | In-person | USA | 3 months | From late August to mid-November |
| National Centre for Writing Emerging Translator Mentorships Programme | Virtual & In-person (optional) | Anywhere / UK | 6 months | From October to March |
| Sangam House | In-person | India | 1 month | Between November to January |