OPEN CALL:Artist Residency Program Technical University of Braunschweig

The Science and Art Lab at TU Braunschweig, in cooperation with the BrightBrain research consortium, invites international artists to apply for an Artist in Residence program as part of the Ecoversity initiative.

The residency aims to connect artistic and scientific perspectives. Artists are invited to propose their own research-based projects related to microphotonics, biomedicine, technology, and neurodegenerative diseases. We welcome artistic approaches that engage with scientific topics in diverse ways and encourage dialogue between art and research.

An international jury will select one artist for the residency.

Science and Art Lab
The Science and Art Lab connects cutting-edge research with artistic practices across different media. It encourages dialogue between science, art, and the public and supports experimental formats, new perspectives, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Activities may include talks, exhibitions, screenings, and other public events.

BrightBrain
BrightBrain is an interdisciplinary research cluster at TU Braunschweig that combines expertise from life sciences and engineering to advance biomedical research. Its initial focus is on neurodegenerative diseases.

The residency involves collaboration with several research institutions:

BRICS—Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology
BRICS is an interdisciplinary research center focused on understanding health and disease through systems biology. It collaborates with TU Braunschweig, the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, the Leibniz Institute DSMZ, and the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt. Its research includes infection biology, drug development, and biotechnological processes.

LENA—Laboratory for Emerging Nanometrology
LENA develops nanophotonic and nanoelectronic systems for nanoscale analysis. Using technologies such as GaN-based photonic components, researchers create highly precise measurement methods with applications in fields like bioanalysis.

PVZ—Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering
PVZ develops pharmaceutical and process engineering methods for producing effective and affordable medicines. The center focuses on innovations that enable personalized medicine, particularly for diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

Residency program
The BrightBrain Artist Residency will take place in autumn/winter 2026 at TU Braunschweig. Scientists will open their laboratories and provide access to research materials, technical equipment, and expertise.

The residency focuses primarily on exchange and collaborative exploration between art and science rather than the production of a finished artwork.

Keywords: Biomedicine, technology, neurodegenerative diseases, brain process visualization, bioanalytical methods, personalized diagnostics.

Highlights
–Artist fee: 2400 EUR per month (gross)
–Travel costs and accommodation covered
–Production budget: up to 3500 EUR (gross)
–Access to laboratories and advanced technologies
–Collaboration with a research team of about 150 members
–Contact with the University of Fine Arts Braunschweig (HBK)
–Public visibility through TU Braunschweig and partner institutions

Duration
–Three months in autumn/winter 2026
–Flexible scheduling within this period may be possible by arrangement.

Eligibility
Applicants should:
–Show interest in biomedicine, technology, and innovation in their artistic work
–Be comfortable working in interdisciplinary environments
–Be interested in neurobiology or microelectronics
–Be motivated to collaborate with experts from science, culture, and education
–Be willing to participate in two public events (e.g., talk or presentation)
–Be able to communicate in English

TU Braunschweig is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, cultural background, or socio-economic status.

Application requirements
Submit a single PDF (max. 25 MB) including:

–Artist Statement (max. 250 words)
–Statement of Purpose (max. 200 words) describing the proposed project and its relation to neurobiology, bioanalytics, or related topics
–Proposed production budget (max. one page, up to 3500 EUR)
–CV / Artist Bio with contact details (max. one page)
–Portfolio or link to a website

Send the PDF with your name and the subject “BrightBrain residency” to:
artist-residency@tu-braunschweig.de.

If files exceed 25 MB, please upload them via the TU Braunschweig Nextcloud link.

Timeline
Application deadline: May 25, 2026 / Jury decision: end of June 2026 / Residency start: from September 2026 (exact date flexible).

For questions, please feel free to contact: Jule Hillgaertner and Henrike Wenzel artist-residency@tu-braunschweig.de