RESEARCH RESIDENCY
2026 OPEN CALL
APRIL-NOVEMBER
Applications for April-November 2026 Research Residency open on the 5th November. Application deadline is the 8th December 2025 and artists will be notified by the middle of December 2025.
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+ 1: 7th April - 2nd June (coinciding with PADA 57)
+ 2: 7th April - 4th May (first month of PADA 57)
+ 3: 6th May - 2nd June (second month of PADA 57)
+ 4: 9th June - 6th July (first month of PADA 58)
+ 5: 4th November - 30th November (second month of PADA 60)
There will be a preference for applications that fully align with the International Residency (i.e. we may prioritise an applicant that chooses April - May rather those that choose April or May alone).
Make sure you read and familiarise yourself with the program and the residency guidelines before applying.
The Research Residency is designed to appeal to those who want to spend time with the community at PADA but don’t need a studio space. Aimed at writers, curators, researchers or desk based artists, this residency will provide accommodation and a work space at PADA studios.
Candidates are welcome to apply for periods of 1 or 2 months. The provisional residency periods are as following:
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Application is done via an Open Call.
This is what you will need to apply and begin your preparations:
Personal details and contacts
Preferred periods
CV
Cover letter introducing yourself and your motivation (max. 300 words)
A PDF with relevant work info, including information on your practice (artist statement or show bio; portfolio) and on the research you want to undertake in PADA. It can include images, text and links (max. 10 pages, 10MB)
A few sentences about how your project will minimise its impact on the environment
Applications are done via an Open Call. The current application is for residencies in Autumn/Winter 2025/26. The cost is €550 for 1 month or €1000 for 2 months. PADA is not-for-profit association and currently receives very limited financial support. We encourage selected artists to apply for personal funding to cover all costs involved.
The residency includes
Programme of Activities and Support
We believe dialogue is important for a rich studio practice, and the residency programme has been developed with this in mind. By organising monthly activities, artists have the opportunity to engage with each other and develop new contacts.
PADA provides structured opportunities for artistic development through a programme of tours, presentations, critiques, and mentoring:
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Artists are taken to the Industrial Museum, where a local historian will do a brief introduction to the history of Companhia União Fabril (CUF). Artists that would like to work with the archives, can make further meetings.
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PADA provides a 2h walking tour to the restricted areas of the industrial park (old Sotinco Paint Factory and the North side of the Industrial Park) to introduce artists to the contemporary reality of the area.
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The curator of the residency prepares and conducts a tour to some galleries, artist-run spaces, artists’ studios and other exhibitions venues or projects in Lisbon. This is aimed to expand the artists network within Lisbon and showcase some of the Portuguese art scene.
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At the start of the residency, artists give a short, informal 10-minute introduction to their practice. These sessions are led by the residency curator and PADA’s founder, who also outline the programme ahead.
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Artists receive two in-depth studio visits with the curator—early and mid-residency—to discuss goals, ideas, and progress. These meetings support critical reflection and professional exchange.
Facilities
36 m2 studio
Accommodation in a private double bedroom
Access to all PADA Studios facilities, including gallery and workshop
Access to the restricted areas of the Industrial Park
Selection criteria
• Quality of work and commitment
• Applications that take into consideration PADA´s unique location and facilities
• Unique perspective and approach
• Interest and willingness to work and live in a community of artists
• Clarity and focus of proposal
After applying
Artists will be informed by mid December about the success of the application.
After receiving the invitation the artist will be asked to pay a 50% deposit to hold their place in the program within 14 days and two-part agreement between the prospective resident and PADA will be signed. A copy of that agreement can be requested in advance should you have any questions.
Cancellations have to be announced with as much notice as possible. The deposit is not refundable in case of short cancellation.
We encourage artists to apply for individual funding to cover the residency costs. Make sure to inform us as soon as possible when applying for funding. We help all successful applicants with letters of support.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
