Asian Cultural Council New York Fellowship 2026

📖 About the Fellowship

The Asian Cultural Council New York Fellowship is a six-month program designed to provide artists, scholars, and arts professionals from Asia with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich cultural life of New York City and the United States. Participants will develop their artistic practices and perspectives through cultural immersion experiences.

Key Details

• Date Published: October 7, 2025
• Application Deadline: November 19, 2025
• Category: Fellowship, Fully Funded
• Opportunity Location: United States
• Eligible Locations: Asia

🎁 Benefits

Participants of the New York Fellowship will receive the following benefits:

• Grant Amount: $35,000 USD to support the six-month fellowship. An advance payment of $3,000 USD will be provided to cover travel-related expenses.
• Freedom to Explore: Fellows can visit arts and cultural institutions, attend performances, exhibitions, workshops, and conduct research.
• Peer-Learning and Exchange: Fellows will join a cohort of artists, scholars, and arts professionals from diverse backgrounds, fostering lifelong bonds.
• Activities and Events: ACC organizes group activities, including visits to cultural institutions, performances, and discussions with local artists. Fellows also receive curated bi-monthly event bulletins.
• Individualized Support: Fellows can schedule office hours with ACC staff for brainstorming, feedback, and networking opportunities.
• Housing Options:
  • International House (I-House): Fellows may reside at I-House, a residential learning community in New York City, with access to amenities such as a fitness center, dining hall, and event programming. Housing fees will be deducted directly from the ACC grant.
  • Independent Housing: Fellows may opt for independent housing arrangements, but ACC does not provide assistance with housing searches or agreements.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Citizenship: Must be citizens or legal permanent residents of one of ACC’s eligible countries, territories, or regions.
   • Note: Applicants cannot be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents.
2. Experience: Must demonstrate at least five years of experience in one of ACC’s eligible disciplines.
3. Age: Must be over 21 years old by the fellowship start date.
4. University Coursework: Fellows cannot pursue university coursework or teaching during the fellowship.
5. English Proficiency: Must be confident in speaking English to participate in conversations and form relationships.
6. Previous Recipients: Applicants cannot be previous recipients of the New York Fellowship.

📅 Fellowship Period

Applicants must commit to one of the following cohort periods:

• January 1, 2027 – June 30, 2027
• July 1, 2027 – December 31, 2027

Fellows must arrive in the U.S. no later than the first week of the program start date and depart no earlier than the last week of the program period.

✈️ Fellowship Travel

• Fellows may visit other cities and regions in the U.S. but international travel is strongly discouraged during the fellowship, except for emergencies or approved career engagements.
• Travel requests must be submitted 60 days prior to the fellowship start date.

🛂 Visa Requirements

• Fellows must come to the U.S. on a J-1 visa sponsored by ACC.
• Fellows are not allowed to conduct paid work activities while in the U.S. on their J-1 visa.
• ACC will assist with visa preparations starting four months prior to the fellowship start date.

📝 Application Process

Deadlines

• Application Submission: November 19, 2025, by 9:59 AM EST.
• Letters of Recommendation: November 26, 2025, by 9:59 AM EST.

Required Materials

Applicants must provide the following:

• Passport/biographical data information
• Contact information
• Social media accounts and/or website
• Work samples (audio, video, image, or text-based)
• CV/resume
• Biography
• Personal statement describing work or research
• Name and contact information for one recommender
• Names and contact information for two references

Work Samples

Applicants must submit up to three work samples that best exemplify their work. These may include:

• Audio/Video: Up to three clips, each no longer than three minutes.
• Image-Based: PDFs with up to two pages of images per work sample.
• Text/Literary: PDFs containing no more than five pages per work sample.
• Multimedia: A combination of images, text, and/or links to audio/video clips.

Recommendation Letter

• Recommenders must upload their letters by November 26, 2025.
• Applications will not be reviewed until the recommendation letter is uploaded.

🌐 Application Portal

• View details of the Asian Cultural Council New York Fellowship here.
• Apply for the fellowship via GoApply here.

📩 Contact Information

For questions or assistance, applicants can contact the relevant ACC representative office.

This fellowship offers a transformative experience for artists, scholars, and arts professionals to explore, learn, and grow in one of the world's most vibrant cultural landscapes. Don't miss this opportunity to advance your artistic journey!

• New York Fellows receive grants of $35,000 USD to support their six-month fellowship.
• An advance payment of $3,000 USD will be made to all New York Fellows, after signing their grant agreement, to pay for travel-related expenses.
• Freedom to Explore: A valuable and rare pause in the day-to-day activities of an artist, scholar, or arts professional.
• Peer-Learning and Exchange: Join a cohort of fellow artists, scholars, and arts professionals.
• Activities and Events: Participate in diverse activities during their six-month program.
• Individualized Support: Meet with ACC staff to brainstorm and receive feedback on their fellowship research and activities.
• International House: Opportunity to reside at the International House during their fellowship.