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. Alumni of the ACC New York Fellowship program are not eligible to apply again for a New York Fellowship. 
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 or legal permanent resident of an eligible country, territory, or region. 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 a citizen or legal permanent resident of one of the eligible countries, territories, or regions, you may be eligible to apply for an ACC grant.

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 to one destination or several destinations are not encouraged, as ACC’s priority is placed on long-term, immersive exchange and so that our funds can be used to support more individuals rather than multiple international airfares.

After grant notification, additional time is required to administer the grant agreement and process payment requests. Payment processing begins approximately 4 months in advance of proposed grant activities upon completion of administrative requirements. Please note that U.S.-bound travel can only start after September 1, 2025.

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.