The Processing Foundation Fellowship 2027 is an opportunity for artists, creative technologists, educators and engineers interested in developing open-source creative technology. Organised by the Processing Foundation, the programme supports projects that make technology more accessible through artistic experimentation, community participation and collaborative learning.
For the 2027 cycle, the Foundation is focusing on artificial intelligence education, accessible game development and open-source hardware. Selected fellows receive financial support, mentorship and opportunities to share their work with the wider creative technology community.
Processing Foundation Fellowship Overview
The Processing Foundation Fellowship is an eight-month programme designed to help early- and mid-career creatives develop open-source software, educational resources and technology projects that respond to real community needs.
Unlike a conventional academic fellowship, the programme emphasises building practical tools that other people can access, learn from, adapt and improve. Fellows work with community partners and receive guidance from the Processing Foundation team and other collaborators.
For 2027, the programme offers three specialised tracks which are Collective Intelligence, Gaming the System, and DIY Computing. Each track addresses a different challenge in creative technology and has its own location and experience requirements. Also, the fellowship runs from January 25 to September 26, 2027, followed by final presentations and documentation on October 2, 2027.
Processing Foundation Fellowship Benefits
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A $10,000 stipend for the eight-month fellowship.
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Mentorship from the Processing Foundation team and collaborators.
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Professional development opportunities.
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Participation in workshops and public programmes.
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Opportunities to present projects and publish documentation.
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Collaboration with other fellows and community partners.
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Access to the wider Processing community.
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Opportunity to join the Processing Foundation Fellowship Alumni Network.
Processing Foundation Fellowship Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should carefully review the requirements for their selected track.
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Collective Intelligence: Applicants based anywhere in the United States who have an interest in education and experience in software development, machine learning, or artificial intelligence.
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Gaming the System: Game makers, creative coders, and educators based in Los Angeles, California.
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DIY Computing: Early-career artists based in New York City with hardware-prototyping experience.
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DIY Computing applicants must not be enrolled in a full-time, part-time, or low-residency degree programme and must not be tenured faculty.
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Projects must build on one of the Processing Foundation’s specified open-source projects.
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Applicants must be able to develop a project that aligns with the Foundation’s mission and the requirements of their chosen track.
How to Apply for the Processing Foundation Fellowship 2027
Follow the steps below to apply;
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Visit the official Processing Foundation Fellowship page.
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Review the three available tracks and select the one that matches your experience and location.
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Submit a nomination form. Also, self-nominations are permitted.
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If selected for the next stage, prepare and submit a project proposal explaining your idea, its intended community impact, and its connection to the Foundation’s open-source projects.
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If shortlisted, participate in the video interview process.
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Await the final selection announcement from the Foundation.
Processing Foundation Fellowship 2027 Deadline
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Nominations opened: October 7, 2026.
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Nomination deadline: November 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
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Project proposal deadline for invited nominees: November 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
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Fellowship begins: January 25, 2027.
Moreover, only nominees invited to the proposal stage can submit the subsequent project proposal.
Official Website
Processing Foundation Fellowship 2027 – Official Application Information
FAQs
Is the Processing Foundation Fellowship fully funded?
The programme provides a $10,000 stipend for the eight-month fellowship. Applicants should consult the official terms for any additional expenses or costs not covered.
Can applicants from Nigeria apply?
The 2027 tracks specify US location requirements, so applicants living in Nigeria should not assume they qualify.
Can I nominate myself?
Yes, the Foundation explicitly permits self-nominations.
What kind of projects does the fellowship support?
Projects include creative AI education tools, accessible game-development resources, and open-source hardware or software environments.
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