Located at Nomad Eco-Retreat, the Serai Residency is a 3 week retreat for artists, writers, educators, and changemakers across the Global South.
2 November - 15 December, 2025
Applications for the 2025 cycle are now closed. Results will be announced by 15 September, 2025.
Across South and West Asia, the concept of a Serai goes back centuries. Constructed as gestures of hospitality for travellers, a serai is many things to many people: a rest house, place for pause, a place for gathering and sharing, a warm meal and time to replenish, a quiet moment in an ongoing journey.
The Serai Residency seeks to offer this mix of rest, companionship, and nurture to artists, writers, educators, and changemakers from across the Global South. We seek to be a place where folks can gather in community, share their journeys, deepen their work, and find new friendships; just as much, we strive to offer a sanctuary where folks can be alone if they choose, can daydream, can experience wonder and rest and deep communion with nature.
Ultimately, we seek to offer a place of pause and connection, with all the possibilities therein, and then to support our guests as they dig deep into their work of building a just and joyful world.
SERAI OPEN HOUSE
On 20th July, 2025, we hosted a Zoom Open House with Serai co-founders and 2024 fellows, where we answered questions and shared out vision as well as the everydayness of life at Serai.
In case you missed it, the recording is now live. Let us know if you have other questions!
The Offering
Each fellow will have a private cottage with a comfortable bed, desk, window seat, wood-burning stove, and private bathroom. All meals will be provided in our shared dining area, and fellows will also have access to a small library and co-working space.
Outside of meal times, fellows will be free to spend the majority of their day as they see fit— working on their projects in their cottages, going for walks into the Deodar forest, gathering with other fellows under an apple tree, or whatever they believe will most support their work and well-being during the time they are with us. We will meet every evening for meals and sharing work.
Once a week, we will gather informally around a campfire with snacks, drinks, and anyone from the nearby towns and villages who would like to meet our fellows. All fellows will also be be asked to spend one afternoon during their residency on a workshop, talk, or other public sharing of their work.
There is no cost to the fellows for the Residency. The fellowship also offers limited travel support, based on financial need.
Applications for the 2025 cycle are now closed.
Results will be announced by 15 September, 2025.
Thematic Fellowships
In addition to our regular open applications, this year, we are partnering with Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies to offer 3 thematic fellowships to Indian citizens working in the specific areas listed below. These positions include full travel funding from anywhere in India, and the application process is the same as for the open positions.
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Climate and Environment
Open to researchers, educators, grassroots workers, writers, artists, and other professionals working on environmental conservation and climate justice. While we of course welcome work directly impacting conservation and climate-related activism, we are also open to work that engages meaningfully with livelihood generation, sustainable agriculture, and building community resilience in the face of climate change. We particularly welcome work from practitioners in the Himalayan region, but we are open to projects from across the country.
Mental health and Well-being:
Open to individuals working on mental and community health. We are particularly interested in supporting innovative approaches to the idea of mental health, especially approaches rooted in local communities and traditions across India. We welcome approaches to mental health that are not merely individual but interested in the intersections of individual with communities and larger socio-political contexts. Applicants may be traditional mental health practitioners, but they may also be educators, artists, writers, art-therapists, or grassroots community workers engaging with the themes of mental health and well-being.
Re-Examining Indian Masculinity
Open to men, women, and non-binary individuals who are working towards greater gender equity in India, specifically from the lens of re-examining traditional masculinities and building alternatives based in justice, respect, and equity. We particularly welcome applications from individuals working with young boys and men, including queer and trans-men, whether as educators, researchers, artists, mental health professionals, or youth development workers, with a larger vision to transform gendered violence in our society.
Alternative Approaches to Justice
Open to individuals working in alternative and non-punitive approaches to justice, particularly in the area of restorative justice. We are interested in exploring the many possible forms that this work might take, from peace-building circles in post-conflict areas, to new approaches to accountability within educational institutions and work places, to harm reduction and conflict transformation in grassroots movements, and more. The fellowship is open to lawyers, grassroots workers, educators, mental health professionals, researchers, artists, and youth development workers, amongst others.
Technology and Society
As new technologies make existing ones obsolete on a very regular basis, and as the world struggles to keep up with the possibilities and dangers of artificial intelligence, we welcome applications from potential fellows working at the intersection of technology and social justice. The fellowship is open to scientists, engineers, development workers, educators, activists, and anyone else working on a project that uses the potential of technology to further community wellbeing, social justice, or environmental conservation.
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About the Founders
Aditi Rao is the author of two full length books of poetry, and her writing has received national and international recognition, including the Akademie Schloss Solitude Fellowship, the Hedgebrook Residency, the Sangam House Writers’ Residency, the Srinivas Rayaprol Prize for Poetry, and others. Aditi has also worked extensively in the youth development and social change sectors, including with Pravah and the Gandhi Fellowship in India, SEDEPAC and UNITONA in Mexico, and The Possibility Project and Student Press Initiative in the USA. She has also been guest faculty at the Conflict Transformation Across Cultures (CONTACT) South-Asia program, run by the School for International Training in Vermont, and the Teacher Research Fellowships offered by the Regional Resource Centre for Elementary Education at Delhi University. Aditi is now excited to bring together her 2 decades of experience in the arts, education, and social change into this new residency space focussed on the Global South.
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Vivek Vellanki is an educator, researcher, and artist, with a background in curriculum studies and arts-based research methodologies. Vivek is an Assistant Professor in Counseling and Educational Psychology and Curriculum & Instruction at Indiana University, Bloomington. His scholarly and artistic works explore how photography is adopted as method, theory, and practice within the field of education. His most recent collaborative work, The Passport Photo Project, examines the contradictions between state-imposed restrictions on migrant identity and the plurality of their lives. He has worked with teachers and youth in India and the U.S. in exploring the role of the arts and the possibilities for envisioning the classroom as a site for exploration, play, and imagining socially just futures. Vivek was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for Research on Race and Ethnicity in Society here at IU and earned his Ph.D. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Teacher Education from Michigan State University.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
APPLICATION RELATED
Do you accept applications in languages other than English?
Once selected, you can work in any language but the application jury will only be able to read in English. So, if your work or portfolio is in any other language, we request you to please submit a translation of the same as a part of your application
Can I still apply if I am in the early stages of my practice and don’t yet have published / exhibited work?
Yes, you can.
What kind of work sample can I submit?
This is a unique, interdisciplinary residency that is looking to bring together artists, writers, educators, and social changemakers. We understand that not all the work that you do in these various fields can be standardized, and we're open to a wide variety of materials that might cut across these contexts. Therefore, while we cannot provide you with an exhaustive list of what you can submit as work samples, here are some examples: if you are an artist or a writer, a sizable sample of your work is good; if you work with young people or in a community, we would love to see your curriculum plans or your student work; if you work in social change, you might send us papers, briefs, case studies, or whatever other materials that you may feel are necessary in showcasing your work to the jury. In case you feel like your work falls outside all of these categories, and you are still unsure about what to submit, feel free to write to us at team@serairesidency.com, and we will do our best to help you figure it out!
If I work with a collaborator, do we both need to apply separately?
Yes. Our jury would prefer to award the residency to an individual rather than to a project, so we encourage you to both apply separately; however, we cannot guarantee that both collaborators will be accepted.
If you absolutely cannot work separately, and/or there is a very important reason to collaborate, then you may apply jointly and let us know the reason in your application. Do keep in mind, though, that if we accept such an application, you will be required to share accommodation and other budgets for the residency.
Why is the residency only open to participants from the “Global South,” and which countries does that include?
At Serai, we believe that a rich South-South dialogue, unmediated by Europe or North America, has the potential for transformative collaborations and new ways of knowing and being. This guideline is less about excluding folks from certain parts of the world and more about actively nurturing a long overdue conversation amongst postcolonial and other so called “developing” countries.
Typically, the Global South is understood broadly to comprise Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia excluding Israel, Japan, and South Korea, and Oceania excluding Australia and New Zealand. We are, however, also open to first nations peoples from other parts of the world as well: If you think you qualify for the residency, please apply (and, if needed, please feel free to explain more in your application).
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I am originally from the Global South, but I now live and work in the Global North. Can I still apply?
If you are still a citizen of a Global South country, you can still apply. However, all else being equal, the jury will give preference to an application who still lives and works in the Global South, primarily because of the dearth of opportunities for residencies in these parts of the world.
Do you require references?
No. We do not need to know who you know. Your work is our guide for the selection process.
Who is the jury?
The jury comprises 8 wonderful folks from different areas of expertise and different communities across India, and they all share our passion for building a just and joyful world. In the interest of a free and fair selection process, however, we will be keeping them anonymous for now.
Can I get feedback on my application?
As much as we would love to talk to you about your applications individually, considering the volume of applications and the depth and precision with which the jury members will go through each one, it will be impossible for us to respond with individual feedback
LOGISTICAL
What are the dates for the residency?
All fellows would be required to be in residence either from 2 to 22 November or from 24 November to 15 December, 2025: You will be asked to indicate a scheduling preference on your application. If it is only possible for you to make it ​ for a shorter duration, please indicate the same on your application, and we will let you know on the off chance that a a spot opens up for the same.
What are the accommodations and food like?
You will be staying in a comfortable mud cottage with an ensuite modern washroom. The hut contains a bed, a desk, two window seats, and a wood-burning stove. There is an electric kettle in the room for tea and coffee, and all meals are served in the shared community dining area. There is good mobile connectivity everywhere but Wifi is only in the dining hall. Food is mostly homestyle Indian food cooked on the premises, with occasional treats from other cuisines.
Please note that we are in the middle of a mountain village, and the electricity voltage and water supply can vary; we will do our best to keep you comfortable, but we do need you to know we are not a hotel with full power back up and other such amenities.
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Are there any costs I need to bear?
Serai will cover your accommodation, meals, and group activities. The thematic fellowships funded by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies include travel costs, and there is a limited amount of travel support, based on financial need, available to other fellows. You will also have access to a printer, projector, and a small fund for supplies. All other personal costs will be borne by the fellows themselves.
What kind of weather can I expect?
The residency will take place at the beginning of winter at Nomad Eco-Retreat. Days are usually bright and sunny, averaging at about 15-18 degrees celsius, and nights can get cold at about 4-5 degrees celsius. There will be a fire in the common areas every evening, and our staff can also build a fire in the stoves in your cottage if you would like. There will also be electric blankets and hot water bottles to keep you even cosier at night.
It is very unlikely to snow during your time with us, but you will be treated to stunning views of the snow peaks in the distance.
Can you accommodate medical needs, allergies, or disabilities?
Absolutely. Nomad Eco-Retreat works hard to be an inclusive and accessible space, and we would love to work with you regardless of illness or disability. Our common dining area, shared washroom, and two of our mud huts are fully wheelchair accessible, although the mountainous landscape means that a wheelchair user could need assistance navigating some of the slopes and ramps around the site (our staff is happy to assist you with this).
We also pride ourselves on catering to a diversity of dietary needs, and we will be able to accommodate gluten free, vegan, nightshade-free or other medically required diets if we are given adequate prior notice. Please note, however, that we only have one kitchen, so we will not be able to ensure zero cross-contamination of ingredients; in case you have a severe food allergy, please write to us beforehand so that we can realistically let you know if we will be able to support your time with us.
Do bear in mind that we are in a somewhat remote location in the mountains, and specialized medical care may not always be available. If you have specific concerns or questions regarding this, please email us.
What happens if I need to reschedule my residency or leave early due to an emergency?
At this moment, rescheduling will not be possible. We ask you to inform us at the earliest possible date in case you need to cancel, in which case your residency will be awarded to someone on our waiting list instead.
In case you are already at the residency and need to leave early due to an emergency, we shall make every effort to get you back home at the earliest. However, any additional expenses incurred as a result of such travel will have to be borne by the fellow in question.
Is there an application fee?
No. We wanted to keep the application as accessible and inclusive as possible, so there is no application fee.
How and when are notifications sent?
The notifications will be sent via email in the second half of September, 2025
Can I opt out of having my participation and information on public forums?
We would love to be able to celebrate all of our fellows publicly, but we understand that there may be safety considerations for some of you in terms of not having your location in the public domain. You can let us know if you would rather we do not publish any information about your stay with us, either indefinitely or until after your departure.
Can I bring family members or pets?
The residency is meant to be a deep dive into solo-time to focus on your work and community-time with other residents; visitors and companions are therefore strongly discouraged. However, if there are extenuating circumstances which make it impossible for you to attend unless you can bring another person or pet along, such as if you need a caregiver or a support animal due to a disability, or are a single parent to a young child, please let us know in your application. We will do our best to accommodate you.
PROGRAM RELATED
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How will the working day be structured?
There is no set pattern for the day, you are welcome to spend it as you would like – work in your hut, read in a hammock, go for a walk, or spend time in our shared community spaces. All meals will be shared in the dining hall, and we encourage all residents to gather around the fire in the evenings to share the day’s work and connect with one another. There will also be a few community events, such as a live music night or a field trip, but none of these are mandated, only encouraged.
Will I be required to share my work?
You will be expected to do 1-2 workshops/ public talks regarding your work and one online post on the official platform of the residency. We may also do an informal interview with you about your creative process, which we would include as part of creative documentation. Other than these, no other sharing is required, although we of course encourage cohorts to share their work and processes with one another.
Are there any deliverables at the end of my time there?
Apart from attending the residency and sharing your work as mentioned above, there are no further obligations: while you are encouraged to share, you are not required to submit anything at any point.
Can you clarify what ‘no further obligation’ means?
The Serai Residency is committed to empowering all participants to develop/sustain their own creative process with regards to their work. There are no restrictions on how you use the time at the residency: for example, you are not required to come out of the residency with finished work, or to report back to us on how your time was spent. Also, everything you create at Serai will belong to you. If you do publish, exhibit, or otherwise publicly share your work, we request you to please acknowledge the residency.
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