Frequently Asked Questions

Eligible travel destinations and exchange partners are permitted from the following 26 countries/regions:

* for design, aesthetic theory, and/or aesthetic history only; projects with an economic, social, scientific, or technological focus are not eligible

Past grant recipients are eligible to apply again, and ACC is especially interested in helping alumni strengthen and extend their international networks. Alumni may apply in any grant category, with the following exceptions:

1. Applicants must not have received an ACC grant in the past two (2) calendar years.
2. Past recipients of an ACC fellowship are not eligible to apply for the New York Fellowship Program.
3. Alumni who have received a six-month fellowship or similarly large grant in the past are not likely to be given another grant of similar size.

Yes, individuals may receive funding to return to a country where they were born or have previously lived. However, in order to be competitive, the project must still contribute to advancing greater cultural understanding.

ACC will consider proposals from any applicant who meets the criteria of being a citizen of an eligible country. However, these applications will only be competitive if they build community and further greater understanding between the U.S. and Asia, or between countries in Asia, regardless of where the applicant resides. If the applicant primarily works outside of Asia and the U.S., there is a good chance these criteria will not be met.

If you are an citizen of one the eligible countries, you are eligible to apply for the grants.

Yes, you may apply for a Graduate Scholarship even if you have already started the program of study. When you fill out the application, please answer the questions as if you were applying from home to ensure that your application is seen by the appropriate reviewers.

Because ACC’s mission is focused on cultural exchange, grants are primarily made to support travel that results in cultural immersion; meaningful engagement; significant contributions to greater cross-cultural understanding; and peer-to-peer dialogue, relationship-building, or the exchange of knowledge. ACC does not support touring, performance, exhibition, or other types of travel focused on the production of work or audience-driven outcomes. Successful proposals will show a strong commitment to engaging in a process of research or discovery.

There is no limit on the number of countries you may visit on your grant, but because cultural immersion and deep engagement are priorities, proposals for short trips to a number of different countries may be less competitive. A strong case should be made for why it is necessary to visit each country to carry out the proposed project.

Multiple trips are not allowed except in very rare circumstances and with prior written approval from ACC. This policy is related to the priority we place on long-term, immersive exchange, and so that our funds can be used to support more individuals rather than multiple international airfares. If you believe your proposal warrants an exception, please contact us by email to explain the circumstances before submitting an application.

After grant notification, additional time is required to administer the grant agreement and process payment requests. Please note that US bound travel can only start after 9/1/2024. Payment processing begins approximately 3 months in advance of proposed grant activities upon completion of admisitrative requirements. It is advisable to plan for a later start if project activities cannot take place prior to securing funding, or if the money must be received before activities can begin.

The Individual Fellowship welcomes up to four (4) collaborators on the project, including the primary applicant, who must apply together on a single application form. If funding is sought for more than two individuals, you may apply for the Organization Grant program if you have official nonprofit/NGO status or fiscal sponsorship through a nonprofit organization/NGO.

Please refer to the ACC Program Matrix above for guidance on funding amounts.

For the New York Fellowship Program, a standard budget calculation is used that is intended to cover all expenses. For Individual Fellowships, Graduate Scholarships, and Organization grants, ACC generally tries to commit enough funding that the proposed activities can happen, though awards might be lower than the amount requested.

If the submitted budget is too small for the scope of the project described, it might appear that you have not done enough research and are not qualified to carry out the project. Your budget should be a realistic estimate of the project costs based on research and your best judgement. If your application is successful, ACC staff may advise you on the final budget or apply standard formulas to determine the award amount.

For questions, email us at application@accny.org.