The Arquia Foundation, in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando (RABASF), invites applications for an architecture research fellowship. This opportunity supports the development of an original project during a six-month residency in New York.
Eligibility
The fellowship is open to architects holding a valid degree enabling them to practice architecture in Spain. This includes degrees issued by a Spanish university or officially recognized/homologated foreign degrees, encompassing those obtained under Plan 96, Plan Bolonia 1, or Plan Bolonia.
Fellowship Residency in New York
The selected fellow will carry out their research project over six months in New York. They will have full autonomy to choose the centers and institutions with which they wish to collaborate, and will be responsible for managing all necessary contacts and procedures. Neither the Arquia Foundation nor RABASF guarantee access to chosen institutions or the obtainment of attendance or participation certificates; these arrangements are solely the responsibility of the fellow.
Application and Documentation
Applications must be submitted exclusively online through the Arquia Foundation’s website. The application process requires:
- Registering as a user on the Arquia Foundation website using an email address and password.
- Completing the participation form available on the call’s dedicated page.
- Attaching all required documentation in the specified formats. The application is formalized upon successful completion of the form and correct upload of all documents. Submissions via other channels will not be accepted.
Minimum required documentation:
- Completed online application form.
- Copy of the architecture degree or official recognition document in Spain (PDF).
- Copy of DNI or NIE (Spanish ID) (PDF).
- Research project dossier (maximum 20 pages), including: subject and scope of study, theoretical and conceptual framework, objectives, proposed methodology, and any other relevant aspects the candidate wishes to highlight.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) (PDF).
- Document certifying English language proficiency.
- A JPG image illustrating the proposal, accompanied by a brief descriptive text.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: April 9, 2026, 12:00 PM (noon) CET.
- Jury Meeting: Second half of May 2026.
- Publication of Results: June 2026 on the Arquia Foundation and RABASF websites.
- Fellowship Start Date: Between September 2026 and February 2027.
Financial Grant and Benefits
The Arquia Foundation will award the beneficiary a grant of 19,800 euros, paid in six monthly installments of 3,300 euros each, deposited into the fellow’s Arquia Banca bank account. The first payment will be made after the first month of the residency, and the final payment upon completion, once all final project documentation has been received by the Foundation. No advance payments will be made. The fellowship is personal, non-transferable, and cannot be changed, compensated, or assigned at the request of the beneficiary or third parties.
Additionally, the Foundation will reimburse or directly cover the cost of:
- One round-trip ticket to New York.
- Required visa fees and the SEVIS I-901 fee (or equivalent).
- Medical coverage as stipulated in the travel assistance policy contracted through ARQUIA BANCA MEDIACIÓN OPERADOR DE BANCA SEGUROS VINCULADO, S.A.
- Corresponding Social Security contributions.
Selection Process
After the application deadline, the Jury will individually review all submitted and validated applications, evaluating projects according to established criteria. Subsequently, the Jury will hold a deliberation session where, following discussion and joint analysis of the proposals, they will announce their decision, selecting:
- One winning proposal for the fellowship.
- One alternate proposal, which may be awarded the fellowship if the winner declines or is unable to accept.
- Up to three honorable mentions, without hierarchical order, recognizing the quality of outstanding proposals.
The Jury reserves the right to declare the fellowship void if no candidate meets the minimum required quality. All Jury decisions are final and unappealable. The award is conditional upon documented verification of the information provided in the application.
Jury Composition
The proposals will be evaluated by a jury comprised of:
- Ángela García de Paredes, full academician of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando.
- Montserrat Nogués i Teixidor, trustee of the Arquia Foundation.
- Débora Mesa Molina, architect and invited academic expert.
- Soledad Candela Alcover, director of the Arquia Foundation, who will serve as secretary with voice but without vote.
Evaluation Criteria
The Jury will assess applications based on the following criteria:
- Academic and Professional Curriculum: Considering the candidate’s capacity to develop the proposed project.
- Research Project Proposal: Evaluating its originality, relevance, and feasibility during the New York residency.
- English Language Proficiency: A TOEFL certificate less than two years old by the application deadline is recommended.
