individual fellowship 2027

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

Individualized Support: ACC offers guidance to enhance proposed activities, expand access to arts and culture, and deepen cultural exchange experiences. Support may include logistical or research advice, introductions to alumni or professionals, invitations to local events, and visa assistance for U.S. travel. 

ACC offices are in New York, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan, so some services may be limited depending on the location of the fellowship. Proposals should be feasible even without extensive ACC support. 

Fellowship Travel Dates and Duration 

• All ACC fellowship travel must occur within the grant period: August 1, 2027 – December 31, 2028. 

• Individual Fellowships must have a duration of at least one month, but no more than six months. 

  • ACC believes that cultural exchange and immersion is enhanced when Individual Fellows spend a greater period of time (at least two months, preferably) exploring one place, rather than visiting multiple countries, territories, or regions for a shorter period. It is also important to consider logistical challenges and/or restrictions related to traveling to multiple countries, territories, or regions during a fellowship.

   

• Applicants pursuing a fellowship in the U.S. must plan to spend at least 30 consecutive days in the country.

• Fellowships in the U.S. cannot commence prior to October 1, 2027, due to the time needed to administer J-1 visas (see “Visa Requirements” section below). 

• Applicants pursuing a fellowship in Asia must propose at least 30 cumulative (total) days in the region.  

  • If a visa does not allow travel for more than 30 consecutive days, applicants may propose multiple trips totaling at least 30 days. Each trip must be at least 14 consecutive days, with no more than 14 days between trips.  

  • Applicants proposing multiple shorter trips to the same destination should explain how they will fully engage with the local culture despite these breaks. 

  • Applicants proposing a single brief trip (e.g., three weeks) as part of a multi-destination itinerary should provide a rationale for the short duration (e.g. three weeks in China after two months in Japan)

     

• ACC strongly discourages travel outside the proposed destinations during the fellowship, with the exception of medical and family emergencies (see also the “Visa Requirements” section below). Individual Fellows who have essential and unavoidable career-related travel needs must submit a “Change in Proposed Grant Activity” Form seeking ACC’s approval at least 60 days before the fellowship start date.