The Brown Institute for Media Innovation at Columbia Journalism School is pleased to announce the third annual Marco Castro Cosio Media Art and Technology Fellowship competition, named in honor of the late Marco Castro Cosio. This award provides fiscal sponsorship of $10,000 and a residency at the Brown Institute at Columbia. The fellowship is designed for emerging creators and researchers dedicated to impactful, interdisciplinary work. We encourage applications that embody Marco’s commitment to using technology, media, and the arts to address pressing societal challenges, foster collaboration across disciplines, and create meaningful connections between communities and ideas.
This award celebrates Marco’s legacy of creativity — he brought purpose and fresh perspectives to every one of his projects. Professionally, Marco held positions in museums, educational institutions and eventually the sustainability arm of a major, global corporation. In each setting, he fostered deep connections between individuals from very different disciplines to study critical and complex questions. His background in digital media and his exploration of intersectionality and intentionality made him a trusted advisor and an inspiring collaborator.
While this residency is remote, fellows based in New York City or those who would like to conduct a portion of their work in the city will be provided access to the Brown Institute space in Pulitzer Hall on Columbia University campus. The $10,000 award may be used to cover any expenses associated with the project. These may include travel, living expenses, equipment costs, and other project fees. Please note that applicants must be eligible to receive funding from a U.S.-based institution. In addition, the Brown Institute cannot offer visa support or sponsorship for this opportunity.
Application information
Application Timeline for 2027
- Applications open on November 10, 2026
- Applications due on January 8, 2027
- Announcement of the winner on January 22, 2027
Fellowship Details
- Duration: Up to 1 Year
- Fiscal Sponsorship: One-time disbursement of $10,000 in general support
- Location: Remote but provided optional residency at the Brown Institute at Columbia to work alongside staff, grantees and fellows of the Institute.
Application Requirements
Applications are due January 8, 2027. Required materials include:
- Résumé/CV: A one-page résumé/CV detailing relevant experience
- Project Proposal: A brief, one-page proposal outlining a project idea for the residency
- References: Names and contact information for two professional references
- Portfolio or Work Samples: Examples of recent, relevant work (up to 3 projects)
Previous Fellowship Winners
The award for 2026 went to Eunbyeol Lee. Eunbyeol proposed an exploration of the oceans as archives, as memories — tracing histories shaped by the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism, migration, and climate change.
A curator and researcher, Eunbyeol has spent the year developing Flow and Remains, a research-based art exhibition that began with a question: What does the ocean remember? It focuses on Gorée Island in Senegal, Havana Bay in Cuba, and Jeju Island in South Korea, and treats the ocean not simply as a geographical space, but as a living archive. One that carries, transforms, conceals, and occasionally returns what has been left behind, becoming part of how we understand the passage of time and the persistence of memory.
“The Marco Castro Cosío Fellowship has given me the opportunity to bring my exploration into dialogue with artists, researchers from different disciplines, and, of course, audiences,” said Eunbyeol.
She’s now forming a group of artists working in moving image, sound, sculpture, and installation to mount a month-long exhibition in 2027. “Marco’s work reminds me that the value of bringing art and technology together lies in what they allow us to discover about one another and the world we share,” said Eunbyeol.
If you have questions or want to learn more about her work, find her on instagram @eunbyeol.e or write to us at browninstitute@columbia.edu.
The fellowship for 2025, our inaugural award, went to Lorena (Lolo) Ostia. Lolo proposed an exploration of shared histories between Mexico and Peru, working with biomaterials and ancestral knowledge systems.
Almost two years later, the fellowship continues to have a meaningful impact on Lolo’s practice. Her research has continued to evolve and her artistic practice is recognized. A film developed through the fellowship received First Place at the Pangue Video Art Festival, with subsequent screenings in New York City and Mexico.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities that have emerge from being the inaugural recipient of the Marco Castro Cosio Fellowship. It is remarkable to witness how Marco’s generosity can transcend physical existence, continuing to open doors, nurture ideas, and create possibilities for others in honor of his legacy,” Lolo said. “The exploration, artworks and overall experience of my time in Peru and Mexico have been transformative as they aligned my creative expression with valuable research.”
Lolo is currently an Artist-in-Residence at Materials for the Arts in New York City, where she is preparing for an exhibition opening in January 2027. Some of the process can be found on her instagram @loloostia.
Learn more about the Marco Castro Cosio Fellowship and apply for 2027.