Open Call:

Venice Biennale Fellowship 2027

DOMA Initiatives invites applications for the Venice Biennale Fellowship 2027, a collaboration between DOMA and the British Council.

ID 22300340 | Venice © Portulaca | Dreamstime.com

This prestigious programme offers a unique opportunity to represent DOMA Initiatives and Malaysia during the 62nd International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia in Venice, Italy, between May and November 2027 as exhibition ambassadors at the British Pavilion, which will be a UK-Malaysia collaboration marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between the countries.

For the 2027 cycle, DOMA is offering one (1) Fellowship spot.

About the Venice Fellowships Programme

The Venice Fellowships Programme (Venice Fellowships Programme | British Council) provides early career professionals in architecture and the creative fields with an unparalleled platform to gain international exposure, engage with global architectural and creative discourse, and broaden their research and design practices.

What is Venice Bienalle and the British Pavillion? UK-Malaysia collaboration at the 20th Venice Architecture Biennale | British Council

Full details are available to download from the Venice Fellowship Programme Guidance Notes. VFP27_Guidance Notes_Fellows

Fellows will spend a dedicated one-month placement in Venice:

50% of the time: Serving as Exhibition Ambassadors at the British Pavilion—stewarding the exhibition, interacting with international visitors, and supporting daily gallery operations.
50% of the time: Conducting independent research or developing a creative/architectural project inspired by Venice, the Pavilion, and the themes of the Biennale. Previous Fellows’ project examples can be found in the Yearbooks.

Prior to departing for Venice, successful fellows will undergo 15 hours of compulsory online pre-fellowship training and collaborative workshops organized by the British Council (March–April 2027).

Funding & Support

Each selected Fellow will receive a fellowship grant of £ 5,050 to assist with travel, accommodation in Venice, visa processing, and daily living expenses during their one-month stay.

Eligibility Criteria

Must be an active Early-Career professional in architecture or related creative fields.
Should display a portfolio focusing on integrating research or creative practice with the themes of La Biennale di Venezia.

General Requirements for All Applicants

Must meet all British Council eligibility criteria set out in the Venice Fellowship Programme Guidance Notes VFP27_Guidance Notes_Fellows.
Possess strong spoken and written English communication skills.
Demonstrate a high level of maturity, adaptability, and commitment to act as an ambassador for DOMA Initiatives and Malaysia.

How to Apply

Review Guidance: Read the official British Council Venice Fellowship Programme Guidance Notes 2027.
Prepare Application: Complete the official Application Form VFP27_Application Form.
Submission Package: Submit your completed Application Form, CV, and Portfolio/Research Proposal to the Selection Committee via email at veronican@sunway.edu.my.

Application Deadline: 12:00 PM (MYT), 27 November 2026

Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered due to strict British Council selection schedules.

Selection Process & Key Dates

Application Deadline 27 November 2026

Panel Shortlisting & Interviews 30 Nov – 3 Dec [exact dates to be confirmed]

Nomination to British Council Malaysia 4 Dec 2026

Final Selection Announcement January 2027

Online Pre-Fellowship Training March – April 2027

Fellowship Placements in Venice May – November 2027

A DOMA Initiative panel will interview shortlisted candidates (2 to 5 applicants per spot) before submitting nominations to the British Council for final approval.

Post-Fellowship Expectations

Upon returning to Malaysia, Fellows are required to contribute to the creative platforms of DOMA Initiatives by:

Conducting a sharing session, workshop, or exhibition showcasing their Venice research/project.

Information Sessions & Enquiries

Briefing Session by DOMA team: 20 October 7 pm [Registration Required: kindly register here: Registration for Venice Biennale Fellowship 2027 Briefing (DOMA Initiatives) – Fill out form

British Council Q&A Session (Online): 29 October 4:00 pm [Registration Required; kindly register here: Teams link]

Contacts:

DOMA Initiatives Coordinator: [Veronica Ng, veronican@sunway.edu.my]