Asian Cultural Council New York Fellowship 2028

The Asian Cultural Council New York Fellowship 2028 is a six-month international cultural exchange programme designed for established artists, scholars and arts professionals from eligible Asian countries and regions.

Organised by the Asian Cultural Council, the fellowship supports meaningful cultural exchange between Asia and the United States. It allows participants to explore New York's artistic communities, develop new perspectives and establish international professional relationships.

Unlike conventional academic scholarships, this fellowship does not require participants to enrol in a university degree programme. Instead, fellows pursue self-directed cultural exploration, research, professional learning and exchange.

During the programme, participants may visit museums, galleries, theatres and cultural institutions, attend workshops and discussions, engage with artists and cultural professionals, and participate in group activities organised by ACC.

Fellows also become part of an international cohort representing different creative disciplines and cultural backgrounds.

The New York Fellowship is not a traditional arts residency. Its primary purpose is cultural immersion and learning rather than producing exhibitions, films, performances or other predetermined works.

Successful applicants must participate for the full six-month period, with ACC assigning them to either the January–June or July–December 2028 cohort.

Applicants must meet the following official requirements.

Nationality and Residency

• Be a citizen or legal permanent resident of an ACC-eligible Asian country, territory or region.

• US citizens and US permanent residents are not eligible for the New York Fellowship.

• Temporary student visas and renewable work visas do not count as legal permanent residence.

Age and Experience

• Be at least 21 years old by the fellowship start date.
• Have at least five years of experience in an eligible artistic or cultural discipline.
• Be an artist, scholar or arts professional working within one of ACC's eligible disciplines.

Previous Scholarships

• Must not have previously received an ACC New York Fellowship.
• Must not have received an ACC grant within the previous two calendar years.
• May apply for only one ACC fellowship or grant type during the current application cycle.

Successful New York Fellows receive substantial financial, logistical and professional support.

Financial Grant

• US$38,000 total grant for the six-month fellowship.

• US$3,000 advance included within the grant for travel-related expenses, such as flights and visa processing.

• Remaining grant payments provided according to ACC's arrangements and applicable deductions.

Travel and Visa Support

• ACC-sponsored J-1 exchange visitor visa.

• Visa-related administrative guidance.

• SEVIS fee of US$220 paid by ACC and deducted from the grant.

• Assistance with pre-arrival arrangements and fellowship logistics.

Accommodation and Insurance

• Mandatory travel health insurance arranged by ACC, with costs deducted from the grant.

• Optional accommodation at International House in New York, subject to availability.

• Guidance on settling into New York and managing fellowship arrangements.

Professional Development

• Access to cultural institutions, exhibitions, discussions and professional activities.

• Opportunities to connect with artists, scholars and cultural professionals.

• Group activities and peer learning with fellows from across Asia.

• Introductions to relevant ACC alumni, cultural organisations and resources.

• Membership in ACC's international alumni community.

Important Funding Clarification

The US$38,000 is the total fellowship grant, not an additional living stipend on top of separately covered accommodation and travel.

ACC estimates that fellows may receive approximately US$10,000–US$31,100 after arrival, depending on insurance expenses and housing arrangements. This remaining amount excludes the separate advance and costs already deducted.

Optional six-month International House accommodation is estimated at US$19,400–US$20,600, deducted from the grant. Mandatory travel insurance is estimated at US$675–US$800.

The fellowship is therefore best described as a US$38,000 funded fellowship, rather than guaranteeing that every personal expense is covered.

ACC identifies the following application materials for New York Fellowship applicants:

• Biographical data and contact information.

• Updated CV or résumé.

• Professional biography.

• Personal or artist statement.

• Three relevant work samples.

• One letter of recommendation.

• Contact details of two additional professional references.

• Completed online eligibility questionnaire.

• Responses to the application questions in GoApply.

Work Sample Requirements

Applicants may submit relevant examples of previous artistic, cultural or scholarly work, using the formats permitted by ACC.

• Images: JPEG, PNG or PDF.

• Video/audio: Links provided in a PDF, with up to three minutes per clip.

• Written work: PDF, with up to five pages per sample.

• Multimedia: A combination of permitted formats.

Recommendation Letter

Applicants must provide one recommender's details. The recommender receives submission instructions after the applicant submits the application. The recommendation letter must be uploaded by 16 November 2026.

Additional Language Requirements

Applicants applying through ACC Japan or ACC Taiwan must comply with the relevant office's additional bilingual application requirements.

ACC assesses applications using the following criteria:

• Alignment with ACC's mission: How the proposed experience advances international cultural exchange and mutual understanding.

• Professional timing: Why the applicant would particularly benefit from the fellowship at this stage of their career.

• Quality of proposal: Clarity, feasibility and potential value of the proposed cultural exchange activities.

• Artistic or professional merit: Evidence of achievement, originality and contributions to the applicant's discipline.

• Communication ability: Capacity to communicate effectively in the destination country and engage in cultural exchange.

Selection Process

ACC initially screens applications for eligibility. Qualified applications are subsequently evaluated by experts from relevant artistic and cultural disciplines. Shortlisted candidates are invited to virtual interviews. Final selections are approved by ACC's Global Board of Trustees.

• International cultural experience: Experience New York's diverse artistic and cultural environment.

• Professional growth: Gain new perspectives that can influence future creative and scholarly work.

• Global networking: Connect with artists, scholars, professionals and cultural institutions.

• Creative exploration: Pursue meaningful research and cultural learning without pressure to produce a predetermined work.

• Peer learning: Exchange knowledge with an international cohort of fellows.

• Long-term connections: Join ACC's international alumni community.