The Asian Cultural Council Grants for the 2027 cycle fund artists, scholars, arts professionals and arts organizations for international cultural exchange between Asia and the United States. Awards range from $15,000 for graduate students to $50,000 for organizations. Funded activity runs from 1 August 2027 to 31 December 2028.
Applications opened on 1 October 2026 and close on 10 November 2026 at 9:59 AM Eastern Time. Applicants choose one of four programmes: the Individual Fellowship, the New York Fellowship, the Graduate Fellowship or the Organization Grant. This guide explains the awards, eligibility, documents and steps so you can pick the right route.
Asian Cultural Council Grants Details
The Asian Cultural Council (ACC) supports open-ended research, study and exchange rather than finished productions. Fellowships fund time, travel and process across disciplines such as visual art, film, dance, music, theater, architecture, curation and museum studies.
The 2027 cycle has four award types with different amounts and durations. The table below summarizes the cycle, and each programme is covered in more detail in the sections that follow.
Programme | Asian Cultural Council 2027 Fellowships and Grants |
|---|---|
Provider | Asian Cultural Council (ACC) |
Exchange route | Asia and the United States |
Award types | Individual Fellowship, New York Fellowship, Graduate Fellowship, Organization Grant |
Award value | $15,000 to $50,000 depending on programme |
Funded period | 1 August 2027 to 31 December 2028 |
Applications open | 1 October 2026 |
Deadline | 10 November 2026, 9:59 AM Eastern Time |
Recommendation letters due | 16 November 2026 |
Notifications | Mid-May 2027 |
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Asian Cultural Council Grants Benefits
Each programme pays a fixed or capped amount tied to the type of exchange. Individuals can receive up to $35,000, while the six-month New York Fellowship is worth $38,000. Graduate students receive $15,000 for an academic year, and organizations can receive up to $50,000.
ACC also positions the awards as time to research without a requirement to deliver a final production. That makes them useful for early-stage exploration, residencies and study visits. The list below sets out the four award types.
If your work is research-led, compare this with the First Research Article Fellowship, which supports doctoral researchers.
Asian Cultural Council Grants Eligibility
Applicants must be citizens or legal permanent residents of an eligible country, territory or region, or organizations registered there. Eligible places are the United States and 25 Asian locations, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. ACC lists the full set on its programme page.
Most programmes expect five years of experience in an eligible discipline at the time of application, but the Graduate Fellowship does not. You may apply to only one programme per cycle. Review the conditions for your chosen route before you start.
Arts and humanities researchers considering doctoral study can compare the Sheffield AHRC DLA Scholarship, which funds PhD research in eligible arts and humanities areas in the UK. Eligibility there is entirely different, so read its conditions separately.
Requirements and Documents
The materials vary by programme, so confirm the checklist inside the application portal for your chosen route. ACC lists a biography, CV, personal statement, up to three work samples, a recommendation letter, two professional contacts and a budget as typical items. The Individual Fellowship and Organization Grant require ACC’s Excel budget template.
Your recommender uploads their letter after you submit the application. That letter must reach ACC by 16 November 2026, so ask your referee well before the main deadline. The list below gathers the documents to prepare.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted online through ACC’s GoApply portal, and each programme has its own application link. Start on the official ACC grant opportunities page, which lists the current guidelines and links.
Choose an individual account for the Individual, New York or Graduate Fellowship, and an organization account for the Organization Grant. Questions about eligibility can go to application@accny.org. The steps below follow the official process.
Application Deadline
The deadline is 10 November 2026 at 9:59 AM Eastern Time, which is earlier in the day than many readers expect. Convert it to your local time and aim to submit at least a day early. Recommendation letters follow on 16 November 2026 at 9:59 AM Eastern Time, and ACC will not review an application until its letter has arrived.
The review period runs from November 2026 to April 2027, and ACC expects to notify applicants in mid-May 2027. For another international fellowship with a later deadline, see the Yale World Fellows Program, which has separate rules and dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers cover common questions about the Asian Cultural Council Grants for the 2027 cycle. They follow the information published by the Asian Cultural Council.
Always check the official page before applying in case guidelines change.
How much do the Asian Cultural Council Grants pay?
Amounts depend on the programme: up to $35,000 (Individual Fellowship), $38,000 (New York Fellowship), $15,000 (Graduate Fellowship) and up to $50,000 (Organization Grant).
When is the Asian Cultural Council deadline?
Applications must be submitted by 10 November 2026 at 9:59 AM Eastern Time. Recommendation letters are due on 16 November 2026.
Who can apply?
Citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States or 25 eligible Asian countries, territories and regions, or organizations registered there. Most routes need five years of experience; the Graduate Fellowship does not.
Can I apply to more than one programme?
No. Applicants may apply to only one programme per cycle.
What period do the awards cover?
Funded activity runs from 1 August 2027 to 31 December 2028. Fellowships last one to six months, and the Graduate Fellowship covers one academic year.
When will applicants hear the result?
ACC lists a review period of November 2026 to April 2027, with notifications in mid-May 2027.
Conclusion
The Asian Cultural Council Grants offer between $15,000 and $50,000 for exchange between Asia and the United States across four programmes. They suit artists, scholars, arts professionals, graduate students and organizations with a clear plan for immersive cultural exchange.
Pick one programme, line up your referee and prepare your work samples early. Then submit through GoApply before 10 November 2026 at 9:59 AM Eastern Time.
