Asian Cultural Council 2027 Grant

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

2027 ACC Fellowships and Grants 

The Asian Cultural Council (ACC) is pleased to announce the open call for the 2027 Grant Cycle. Applications will be accepted from October 1 through November 10, 2026, with letters of recommendation due November 16.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the guidelines below before beginning an application. These guidelines cover ACC’s mission and grantmaking priorities, as well as detailed information on available grant types, eligibility requirements, application procedures, and frequently asked questions. 

Overview of ACC's Grantmaking

ACC’s Mission 

ACC advances international dialogue, understanding, and respect through cultural exchange activities in Asia and the United States to create a more harmonious and peaceful world.  

What We Support 

ACC supports artists, scholars, arts professionals, and organizations through fellowships and grants that advance cultural exchange between the U.S. and Asia, and within Asia. Through these immersive experiences, participants step outside their daily life, engage deeply with new cultural contexts, expand their perspectives and creative practice, and develop relationships with peers across borders. After their fellowship or grant, participants join ACC’s global alumni network, continuing to build connections and contribute to cross-cultural understanding through their work. 

Since 1963, ACC has awarded more than $100 million USD to support nearly 6,000 exchanges across 16 disciplines, involving grantees from 26 countries and regions. 

ACC offers four types of grants to support its mission: 

• New York Fellowship: Over a six-month period, a diverse cohort of artists, scholars, and arts professionals from Asia live in the United States and engage with a new cultural landscape, using this immersive experience to broaden their perspectives and inform the development of their artistic practices. This rare and extended pause from daily work—shared with peers across disciplines—offers space for reflection, exploration, and meaningful exchange, free from the pressure to produce or present work. 
• Individual Fellowship: With a flexible, often shorter timeframe of one to six months, artists, scholars, and arts professionals from Asia and the U.S. pursue research, self-directed exploration and cultural exchange experiences in a new or less familiar environment, fostering peer-to-peer dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing. The individual fellowship can be a joint fellowship of up to three participants.
• Graduate Fellowship: Supports graduate students from Asia pursuing U.S.-based degree programs that are unavailable or underrepresented in their home region. While this fellowship is academic by nature, studying in a less familiar environment, fellows are exposed to new ideas beyond the classroom.  
• Organization Grant: Enables arts and culture organizations in Asia and the U.S. to pursue activities that advance their understanding of a topic or area practice, foster meaningful cultural exchange for their staff, communities, and collaborators. 

Application and Selection Timeline

The 2027 Grants Cycle will follow the schedule outlined below. 

• Call for Applications Opens: October 1, 2026, at 9:59 AM U.S. Eastern Time (ET) 
• Applications Due: November 10, at 9:59 AM U.S. Eastern Time (ET) 
• Letters of Recommendation Due: November 16, at 9:59 AM U.S. Eastern Time (ET) 
• Review and Selection Process: November 2026 - April 2027 
• Notifications to Applicants: Mid-May 2027 
• Grant Period (When ACC-funded travel and activities must take place): August 1, 2027 – December 31, 2028

Overview of General Eligibility Requirements, Selection Criteria, and Selection Process 

All applicants must meet the general eligibility criteria below. Each fellowship or grant program also has additional requirements, which are outlined in the program-specific guidelines under “Fellowship and Grant Opportunities.”

Eligibility  

ACC welcomes applications from artists, scholars, arts professionals, and organizations proposing immersive cultural experiences aligned with our mission. 

Eligible applications must meet the following requirements: 

• Eligible Activities: ACC fellowship and grant funding is strictly limited to supporting activities related to cultural exchange and immersive experiences. ACC does not fund production or promotional activities, including activities intended to directly or indirectly produce, exhibit, or perform a specific, predetermined work product. Examples of ineligible “production grants” include, but are not limited to: filming a documentary, conducting research for a planned work product (e.g. books, films, plays, etc.), organizing an exhibition, or conducting a concert series.   
• Timing of Fellowship and Grant Activities: All ACC-funded activities must take place within the grant period: August 1, 2027 – December 31, 2028.  
• Eligible Destinations: ACC fellowships and grant activities must take place in the eligible countries, territories, and regions listed below. The New York and Graduate Fellowships may only take place in the U.S. For details on eligible destinations and restrictions, refer to the specific program guidelines. 

           Eligible Countries, Territories, and Regions: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China (Mainland), East Timor, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macau SAR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, U.S., and Vietnam. 

• Citizenship, Permanent Resident Status, and Organization Registration: Applicants must be citizens or legal permanent residents of at least one of the countries, territories, or regions listed above, or be an organization registered in one of those locations. Permanent resident status refers to a government-issued legal status that allows you to live in a country, territory, or region indefinitely. It does not include temporary, renewable work visas or student/scholar visas.
• Experience and Eligible Disciplines: Applicants must be an arts or cultural organization, or an artist, scholar, or arts professional. Applicants must have at least five years of experience in one of the eligible disciplines at the time of application and must propose activities within an eligible discipline. 

           Note: Graduate Fellowship applicants are not required to have five years of  professional experience.  

           Eligible Disciplines: Architecture (Design, History, and Theory), Archaeology, Art History, Arts Administration, Arts Criticism, Conservation, Crafts, Curation, Dance, Ethnomusicology, Film,* Literature, Museum Studies, Music, Theater, and Visual Art. 

                 * Note: Applicants who primarily work in or study video art or photography may apply under visual art. 

• ACC Alumni: ACC welcomes applications from alumni; however:  
• • Alumni who have received an ACC grant in the last two calendar years are not eligible.
  • Alumni of the ACC New York Fellowship program cannot apply for another New York Fellowship.   
  • Alumni who previously received a six-month fellowship or similarly large grant are unlikely to receive another grant of comparable size. 
• Budget: Eligible expenses may include travel, accommodation, daily expenses, museum and event tickets, interpreters, and other costs that enable these exchanges. Funding cannot be used to: 
• • Produce or promote specific, pre-planned projects, including performances, films, exhibitions, or publications. For example, grants cannot cover research for a book, filming for a documentary, or training for a future performance.  
  • Conduct promotional activities, including public relations, marketing or promotional travel (e.g. a book tour). 
  • Funding cannot be used exclusively to travel to an event.  
  • Purchase production capital or equipment. However, funding can include reasonable rental fees for necessary equipment or meeting/workshop spaces used during the grant activities. 
  • Participate in full-time residency program. 

Selection Criteria 

Applications are assessed using the following criteria:  

1. Alignment with ACC’s mission: Demonstrates strong alignment with ACC’s mission to advance mutual understanding through cultural exchange. Clearly explains how the fellowship experience will broaden the applicant’s horizons, support creative growth, and foster valuable international connections.  
2. Time in the applicant’s career: Provides a clear rationale for why the proposed cultural exchange experience is important at this time.  
3. Quality of proposal: Presents clear and feasible activities and objectives with the potential to impact the applicant, their work, and/or relevant communities.  
4. Artistic or professional merit: Demonstrates high-level qualifications, excellence and originality in past work, and proposes meaningful contributions to the applicant’s field or artistic discipline.  
5. Ability to communicate in the destination: Shows sufficient language proficiency or plans to address language barriers (e.g. budgeting for interpreters) to carry out the project. Demonstrates confidence in navigating cultural differences during the fellowship. Fellows traveling to the U.S. on an ACC-sponsored J-1 visa must demonstrate the ability to communicate in English as required by U.S. government regulations (see New York Fellowship and Individual Fellowship Guidelines). 

Selection Process 

ACC staff first review applications to confirm eligibility. Applications that do not meet the criteria, including those considered production grants, will not move forward. Eligible applications are then reviewed by experts across disciplines—including ACC alumni—who serve as panelists/jurors. Short-listed candidates are invited for a virtual interview. Final selections are approved by ACC’s Global Board of Trustees. 

Fellowship and Grant Opportunities

ACC offers four fellowship and grant programs to support immersive cultural exchange. Review the guidelines below for details and use the "How to Apply" section to begin. Applicants may apply to only one program per cycle.

New York Fellowship

Over a six-month period, a diverse cohort of artists, scholars, and arts professionals from Asia live in the United States and engage with a new cultural landscape, using this immersive experience to broaden their perspectives and inform the development of their artistic practices. This rare pause from daily life and work—shared with peers across disciplines—offers space for reflection, exploration, and meaningful exchange, free from the pressure to produce or present work. 

What does the New York Fellowship offer? 

Freedom to Explore: Fellows immerse themselves in New York City and U.S. cultural life—attending performances, exhibitions, workshops, and discussions—to inform their practice and broaden their perspectives. 

Peer-Learning and Exchange: Fellows join a diverse cohort from across Asia, sharing artistic perspectives, learning from one another, and building lasting connections. 

ACC Activities and Events: ACC organizes group activities that may include visits to arts and cultural institutions and attending performances and gatherings with local ACC alumni and artists in New York City. 

Individualized Programmatic and Logistical Support: ACC staff provide guidance on living in New York, achieving grant objectives, and connecting fellows with alumni and resources to support their fellowship activities. 

Subject to availability, New York Fellows may live at the International House (I-House), with fees deducted from the ACC grant (see “Grant Amounts and Payments” section). Fellows may also arrange their own housing, however, ACC cannot assist or assume responsibility for independent arrangements. 

Additional Eligibility Requirements for the New York Fellowship 

In addition to the general eligibility requirements, New York Fellowship applicants must: 

• Be a citizen or legal permanent resident of an ACC-eligible country, territory, or region. (U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents are not eligible).  
• Be at least 21 years old by the start of the fellowship.   
• Not pursue paid work, university coursework, or teaching (in-person or online) during the fellowship. ACC asks grantees to take temporary leave from studies and work during the fellowship.  
• Be confident using English to communicate and navigate daily tasks independently, as required for the J-1 visa. 
• Not have previously received a New York Fellowship. 

Fellowship Period 

Fellows must commit to the full six-month New York Fellowship during one of the two cohort periods below. Applicants can indicate a preference, but ACC makes the final assignment of cohorts: 

• January 1, 2028 – June 30, 2028  
• July 1, 2028 – December 31, 2028 

Fellows must arrive in the U.S. by the first week of the program and stay until the last week of the program period. 

Fellowship Travel 

Fellows may travel within the U.S., but international travel is discouraged except for emergencies or short (under 10-day) career-related trips approved by ACC at least 60 days prior to the program start date (see “Visa Requirements”). 

Visa Requirements 

New York Fellows must enter the U.S. on a J-1 visa sponsored by ACC—no exceptions. The J-1 is a non-immigrant visa for exchange program participants, and both ACC and fellows must follow U.S. regulations, including:  

• Visa process: ACC begins the J-1 sponsorship process six months before the fellowship. Fellows must provide information, review documents, and communicate with ACC staff. While ACC sponsors the visa, fellows are responsible for submitting the DS-160 application, paying the visa processing fee, and scheduling and attending visa interviews.  
• Work restrictions: Fellows cannot do paid work while in the U.S. on the J-1 visa, including work performed for an employer or client outside the U.S. or work performed during the fellowship but paid later. Fellows also cannot perform or participate in ticketed, paid events (e.g., performances, lectures, workshops, or appearances where admission is charged), even if the fellow is not paid. Fellows with full-time jobs should arrange sabbaticals or leave with their employer.  
• Travel requirements: Any travel outside the U.S. requires ACC’s prior written approval, authorization of international travel in the fellow’s DS-2019, and an “International Travel Liability Waiver” acknowledging that ACC is not responsible for incidents abroad. Essential work-related international travel must be approved at least 60 days before the fellowship start date. ACC reviews all international travel requests at its discretion. 

Grant Amount and Payments 

New York Fellows receive a $38,000 USD grant for the six-month fellowship, including a $3,000 USD advance for travel-related expenses (e.g. $185 USD DS-160 visa application fee, airfare, etc.) ACC covers certain pre-arrival costs that are deducted from the grant, including a $220 USD Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee, mandatory travel health insurance ($675-800 USD), and I-House housing, if desired (estimated at $19,400-$20,600 USD for six months). Fellows can expect $10,000–$31,100 USD after their arrival in the U.S., depending on their insurance rate and housing selection. 

Individual Fellowship

With a flexible, often shorter timeframe of one to six months, the Individual Fellowship gives artists, scholars, and arts professionals from Asia and the U.S. the opportunity to pursue research, self-directed exploration and cultural immersion experiences in a new or less familiar environment, fostering peer-to-peer dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing. 

An Individual Fellowship is not a residency to produce new work, a fund to attend or participate in a single conference or event (i.e. not a travel grant), or an individual’s public relations tour. Rather, Individual Fellows explore questions and activities that enable and promote cultural immersion. These experiences and relationships lead to invaluable creative inspiration, collaborative opportunities, and a more global and nuanced perspective. 

What does the Individual Fellowship offer? 

Freedom to Explore: This fellowship supports travel to countries, territories, or regions that are new or less familiar to applicants, enabling them to pursue self-designed research and cultural exchange activities. 

Examples of past Individual Fellow activities include: 

• Interviewing or meeting professionals and other stakeholders who can provide relevant expertise  
• Visiting institutions (e.g., studios, museums, galleries, theaters, libraries) or attending events (e.g., exhibitions, performances, lectures, film screenings) aligned with their research and exchange goals 
• Participating in workshops, symposia, or discussions that advance the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and practices and connects fellows with new communities  
• Conducting archival research