General FAQs 

How can I apply for an ACC fellowship or grant?  
ACC's annual application cycle opens each October. Before applying, carefully review the guidelines for the program that interests you, as eligibility requirements, restrictions, and application instructions vary by program. 

Once you have reviewed the guidelines, create an account on GoApply, ACC's online application platform. Through GoApply, you will complete an eligibility quiz and, if eligible, begin your application. Additional information about GoApply can be found in the “How to Apply” section of each program’s guidelines. Sign up for our newsletter—ACC Connects —and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook to be notified when guidelines are published. 

How does ACC define “cultural exchange?”  
There is no single way to define cultural exchange. ACC believes meaningful cultural exchange involves person-to-person interactions, dialogue, learning, and sharing between different cultures over a prolonged period of time. Cultural exchange requires curiosity, an open mind, and an appreciation for unexpected experiences. Successful cultural exchange can improve understanding of oneself and the world around them, generate new ideas and ways of doing things, and cultivate community and relationships across borders.  

Are the fellowships like a residency program?  
No. ACC fellowships are not traditional residencies focused on producing new work. They are designed to support cultural immersion, learning, and cross-cultural exchange. While fellows may develop their skills, experiment, and develop ideas that inform their practice and future work, ACC does not ask fellows to produce or present new work during the program. 

Can I apply for more than one fellowship or grant type in a single cycle? 
No. Applicants may submit only one application per ACC grant cycle. If you are interested in multiple programs, you should review the eligibility requirements and objectives of each and apply to the one that best aligns with your experience, goals, and proposed project. 

If ACC awards me a grant, may I change my proposed travel dates?  
If ACC awards you a grant, you may request a change to your travel dates, but approval is not guaranteed. Requests must be made at least 60 days in advance and are reviewed case by case. Changes may result in a reduced grant amount or, in some cases, cancellation of the grant, and late requests will generally not be considered unless there is an urgent emergency. 

What does ACC expect from grantees at the end of their fellowship? 
ACC grantees are expected to carry out the activities outlined in their proposal and submit a final report within 30 days of the end of their grant period. The report includes questions about their experience, key learnings, challenges encountered, and suggestions for improving ACC’s programs. Grantees may also be invited to participate in surveys, interviews, or other evaluation activities to help ACC understand the impact of its support and strengthen future programming. 

I have plans to organize events and programming that are related to the grant activities before or after my trip. Can I request funding for activities that occur outside the proposed travel dates and destination?  
No. ACC provides funding only for activities that take place during the approved travel period and in the proposed destination(s), when the activity lead and participants are present. Activities outside the travel dates or locations are not eligible for funding. 

Can I bring my spouse, partner, and/or children on my fellowship?  
You may have your spouse, partner, or children visit for short periods during your fellowship, but the fellowship is designed to focus on your own activities and engagement. ACC can only sponsor a visa for the grantee, and grant funds cannot be used to cover any travel or living expenses for guests. 

Citizenship and Permanent Residency 

I am a citizen of two eligible countries. Which ACC representative office will review and answer questions about my application? 
If you hold citizenship or permanent resident status in more than one eligible country, territory, or region, you should select the ACC representative office for the place where you primarily reside. That office will receive and review your application and serve as your primary point of contact throughout the application process. Any questions about your application should be directed to that representative office (see contact information here).   

I am a citizen of an eligible country, but I currently live in a non-eligible country. May I apply for a grant? 
Yes. ACC welcomes applications from individuals who are citizens or legal permanent residents of an eligible country, territory, or region, regardless of where they currently live. 

Applicants who primarily reside or work outside Asia and the United States (U.S.), however, should clearly explain how their proposed project will advance ACC's mission of cultural exchange between the U.S. and Asia or within Asia. 

Travel 

I am from a country in Asia and would like to pursue a fellowship in another country in Asia and the U.S. Is this possible?  
Yes. ACC allows proposals that include travel within Asia and to the U.S., but applicants must clearly explain why both regions are essential and how the activities form a single, cohesive fellowship plan. 

Can Individual Fellows and New York Fellows travel outside the destination country, territory, or region during the fellowship (e.g. a trip to one’s home country)?
ACC’s fellowships are intended for uninterrupted, long-term cultural exchange and immersion. Furthermore, such international trips carry the risk of being denied re-entry to the destination country, territory, or region. With the exception of medical or family emergencies, ACC strongly discourages grantees from leaving their fellowship destination during their designated travel period. Individual Fellows who learn about fundamental career-related travel after signing their grant agreement must obtain ACC’s approval for any travel changes by submitting a change request form at least 60 days prior to the fellowship start date and signing a grant memo. New York Fellows and Individual Fellows who travel to the U.S. on a J-1 visa must also sign ACC’s “International Travel Liability Waiver” and secure ACC’s signature in the international travel validation section of their DS-2019 in order to re-enter the U.S. if they temporarily leave the U.S. during their fellowship.  

Visa Requirements (for New York Fellows and U.S.-bound Individual Fellows) 

Can I receive payments or honoraria during a fellowship in the U.S. under the J-1 visa?  
No. J-1 visa holders cannot work or accept payments for services or participation in activities while they are in the U.S. 

Can I participate in a public performance without compensation during a fellowship in the U.S. under the J-1 visa?  
Yes, if the event is educational or exchange-focused, free for the audience, and not intended for revenue. Fellows on a J-1 visa cannot perform—on- or off-stage—in events that charge an admission fee.  

Can I engage in commercial or paid activities (e.g. conferences, lectures, writing articles, remote employment) during my fellowship in the U.S.?  
No. The fellowship is not intended for paid or commercial work such as conferences, lectures, articles, or employment, including remote work. It is meant to be a break from regular professional activity focused on cultural immersion and learning. 

Will ACC provide a visa to my spouse, partner, and/or children?  
No. ACC provides visas only for the fellows traveling to the U.S. 

New York Fellowship

Can I apply for the New York Fellowship if I am already in the U.S.?
No. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are ineligible. Applicants on other visas (e.g., O-1) are unlikely to receive the fellowship, as ACC supports cultural immersion in a new or less familiar country, territory, or region. 

Can I apply for a New York Fellowship with a colleague (co-applicant)?  
No. Co-applicants are not allowed. You may apply for an Individual Fellowship instead. 

Individual Fellowship

I am interested in pursuing an ACC fellowship in New York. How do the Individual Fellowship and New York Fellowship differ?  
The Individual Fellowship and New York Fellowship can both support travel to New York and the United States, but they are structured differently. The Individual Fellowship offers more flexibility, allowing single or joint fellows to design travel to the U.S. and/or Asia for one to six months. The New York Fellowship is a six-month, cohort-based program focused on cultural immersion in New York alongside other artists, scholars, and arts professionals from Asia. 

My co-applicant does not meet ACC’s eligibility guidelines. May I still apply?  
No. All applicants must meet ACC’s eligibility requirements. 

I want to submit a joint Individual Fellowship application, but my co-applicant is from another country. Which ACC office will handle my application?  
Joint Individual Fellowship applications are reviewed by the ACC office corresponding to the citizenship or permanent resident status of the primary applicant. For example, if the primary applicant is a Japanese citizen or resident and the co-applicant is Indonesian, the application would be handled by ACC Japan. Questions about the application can also be directed to that same office. 

Can my spouse, significant other, or another family member apply as a co-applicant?  
Yes, but only if they independently meet ACC’s eligibility requirements and are an equal co-applicant in designing and carrying out the proposed fellowship activities. The fellowship cannot be used primarily to support a family member traveling with the primary applicant. 

Can I participate in an exhibition or conference while pursuing an Individual Fellowship?  
Fellows are encouraged to focus on their proposed activities and cultural immersion. Participation in relevant exhibitions or conferences may be possible if they are directly related to the fellowship, but any participation must comply with applicable immigration, labor, and tax laws, including restrictions on receiving payment. 

Graduate Fellowship

I have applied for graduate school, but I have not been admitted yet. Can I apply for a Graduate Fellowship? 
Yes, you are welcome to apply, but ACC must receive proof of admission by April 1 of the year you plan to enroll in order to award a fellowship.  

I am currently enrolled in a graduate program. Am I still eligible to apply for the Graduate Fellowship?  
Yes, you are eligible to apply if you plan to enroll in full-time coursework for a full academic year during the grant period.  

Organizational Grant

My organization has a residency program that hosts and supports international artists who pursue new work. Can we request a grant to support our residency program?  
No. ACC does not provide grants to support residency programs. However, organizations with residency programs are welcome to explore other types of proposals that advance cultural exchange, learning, and dialogue for staff, participants, or broader communities. 

In the past, ACC has funded organizations that send individuals to participate in performances, workshops, festivals, and more. Can I apply to do the same?  
No. ACC no longer supports travel grants for participation in performances, workshops, festivals, or similar activities. 

Contact Information

My question was not answered here. Can I email ACC to request more information?
For all questions about program eligibility, please email the appropriate ACC representative office based on your citizenship or permanent resident status, as noted below. If you have a technical question about GoApply (ACC’s application platform), please email application@accny.org.   

Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents of	Contact Info:
Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, or Macau SAR	ACC Hong Kong: acc@acc.org.hk
Japan	ACC Japan: application@accjpn.org
Philippines	ACC Philippines: accphilippines@gmail.com
Taiwan ROC	ACC Taiwan: application@acctf.org
All other eligible countries, territories, and regions (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United States, and Vietnam)	ACC’s New York Office: application@accny.org