Open Call for gapLab 2026–29

Established in 2023, gapLab is the IAF’s strategic programme to support early career and graduate architects. Through an open, self-directed programme of peer learning, mentoring and creative and financial investment, members of gapLab are supported to take risks, make new work and build their skills and capacities to engage public audiences with architecture.

Successful applicants will become members of gapLab for a period of three years. This time period aligns with the delivery of the IAF’s first work plan under our strategy, Building Our Knowledge 2026-2032. New members of gapLab will join a growing national network of practitioners committed to advancing architecture through design, research, making, writing, education, public engagement and cultural practice.

Supporting those who work as individuals or collectives, members of gapLab receive opportunities for mentoring, collaboration, residencies, exhibitions, publications, public programming and professional development through the work of the Irish Architecture Foundation and its partners.

Applications are invited from early career architects and architecture graduates who are curious, ambitious and committed to developing new forms of architectural practice, specifically with a focus on meeting audiences with architecture.

Why this call, why now?

Since 2023, the IAF has evolved gapLab through a series of specific open calls (Residency in the Centre Culturel Irlandais, Paris; Bog Bothy workshop; Open House Dublin Writer in Residence, etc.) and through direct invitation of individuals and collectives whose work aligned with our mission to bring architecture to specific audiences. While the IAF may continue to have themed calls following this period of initial development, we feel it is important to have an open call, thus providing the opportunity for all architects and architecture graduates who meet the criteria to become part of this unique and exciting programme.

Who can apply?

Applications are invited from early career architects and architecture graduates who:

• Have completed a Part II qualification in a school of architecture on the island of Ireland (or equivalent internationally).

• Are within eight years of completing their Part II at the time of this application closing date.

• Can explain in a clear and compelling way why gapLab would benefit their work at this time.

• Can explain in a clear and compelling way what they see as their potential contribution to gapLab and their peer network therein.

• Can show evidence of work in architecture, across some or all, but not limited to, the following: building, design, art, landscape, ecology, research, public engagement, cultural production, exhibition making, installations, etc.

How to apply

It is a two-stage process.

Download and read the full gapLab Open Call document (pdf) for further details and FAQ.

For Stage 1 we ask individuals to send us some basic information about you and your work to date.

• A statement which begins with the sentence, I wish to be in gapLab because (300 words).

• A statement which begins with the sentence, My contribution to gapLab will be (150 words).

• A CV (1 A4 page, with open links to work).

For Stage 1, we ask collectives to send us some basic information about you and your work to date.

• A statement which begins with the sentence, We wish to be in gapLab because  (300 words).

• A statement which beings with the sentence, Our contribution to gapLab will be (150 words).

• A statement about why you have formed a collective and your shared aims (150 words).

• A CV (1 A4 page, with open links to work, one per collective).

Stage 1 applications should be emailed to opportunities@IAF.ie by 21 August 2026.

All documents above should be sent as PDF attachments and as individual files, not a single combined file. Incomplete applications will not be assessed.

In Stage 2, the IAF will invite up to 10 individuals or collectives for a 20-minute online conversation to assist in making a final decision.

Timelines

• Applications open:
10 July 2026

• Questions Close: 31 July 2026

• Applications Close: 21 August 2026

• Stage 1 Assessment: Week Commencing 24 August 2026

• Decisions Notified: Week Commencing 31 August 2026

• Online Conversations: Week Commencing 31 August 2026

• Public Announcement: September 2026
  

Photo: gapLab Session at IAF House, 2024. Photo by Myles Shelly.