Organization Grant

ACC’s Organization Grants provide support to organizations that:

1. Conduct programming that will benefit from cultural immersion, research, increased access to artistic communities or cultural resources in a specific country, territory, or region, and/or the exchange of knowledge amongst peers; and
2. Intend to build organizational or regional capacities of cultural exchange activities through workshops, dialogue, specialized training, etc.

Organization Grants are not intended to solely support travel to specific conferences, performances, or gallery showings; in other words, they are not simply travel grants. Instead, ACC’s Organization Grants support a range of activities that enable a deep cultural exchange experience for the organization and all grant activity participants. Applicants should thoughtfully consider their community and how their proposed activities and cultural exchange will impact their organization, activity participants, and larger community.

The Organization Grant application will request information regarding the application’s Primary Contact, Activity Lead, and Activity Participants. 

• The Primary Contact is the organization staff member or representative who submits and manages the application on behalf of the organization. 
• The Activity Lead will manage the execution of grant activities at the location(s) where the activities take place. Please note that the Primary Contact may also be the same as the Activity Lead if they take this responsibility. 
• Activity Participants play an essential role in executing the grant activities at the location(s) where they take place. Activity Participants may include organization staff as well as individuals from outside the organization.

Organization Grantees have the freedom to determine the following:

• Location of travel: Applicants may choose their destinations within the list of eligible countries, territories, and regions.
• Duration and timing of travel: ACC welcomes travel timelines ranging from 1 to 6 months; however, all travel must be scheduled within the grant period (August 1, 2025 – December 31, 2026).
• Budget: Organizations may submit grant requests up to $50,000 USD. When completing your application, please note that ACC will review your budget with consideration for how realistic it is in relation to the proposed activities and to ensure that proposed expenses meet the general eligibility requirements.
• Additional Funds: ACC encourages organizations to secure additional funding for the proposed grant project.

Strong applications will include:

• An explanation of the organization’s interest in ACC’s mission and how time spent abroad and exposure to new cultures will enable them to contribute to this mission.
• A well-defined proposal that expands upon cross-cultural exchange and articulates the impact that the proposed activities will have on participants and the larger community.
• A thoughtful overview of activities included in your proposal. While ACC does not expect a day-to-day schedule, we are interested in how the organization and its activity participants will spend their time during the grant period, what your organization hopes to gain from this experience, and the impact that you hope these activities will have on your organization and on others.
• A realistic budget (based on typical and expected pricing) with regard to the plan of activities, travel costs, interpretation services (if necessary), and the cost of living where activities will take place. Strong applications will also justify expenses with explanations and/or links to cost estimates.
• A list of possible contacts and connections that may support the applicant with their proposed grant activities.
• An explanation of the feasibility of the proposal, including the consideration of the accessibility of communities or cultural resources of interest, the logistics of transportation (especially to remote areas), accommodations, and language barriers. 

 

Organization Grant-Specific Eligibility

• Must be a registered nonprofit or NGO.
• The organization needs to demonstrate five (5) consecutive years of artistic and cultural programming.
• Production-focused projects are not eligible, including tours, performances, or exhibitions. ACC funding cannot be used for capital and equipment purchases or expenses to organize or support events.
• Applicants that do not name individual Activity Participants will not be considered.
• The Organization’s Activity Lead and all Activity Participants must be citizens or legal permanent residents of one of the 26 eligible countries, territories, or regions listed on ACC's website. The Activity Lead and Activity Participants may be citizens or legal permanent residents of a country, territory, or region that is different from that where the organization is based.

 

Eligible Travel Directions
Organization Grants support the following travel directions:

• Asia-to-U.S.
• Intra-Asia
• U.S.-to-Asia

Organization grantees have the flexibility to conduct grant activities in multiple countries/territories/regions; however, it is important to consider logistical challenges or restrictions related to traveling to multiple destinations. Applicants are reminded that organization grantees are responsible for securing visas and other travel permissions, as required.

 

Budget
Organization Grant applicants may apply for up to $50,000 USD for their grant activities. ACC has created a budget template for applicants. When drafting your budget, please include the following information:

• Travel costs, including airfare (economy class only)
• Accommodation
• Daily expenses, including food and local transportation
• Costs and fees relevant to the research project
• Interpretation services, if necessary

Strong applications will provide reference points for budget categories (i.e. quotes or links for intended air travel, interpretation rates estimated by local contacts, etc.) and justification for any relatively significant expenses proposed, as needed (i.e. why X amount for item Y?).

Grant amounts awarded for an Organization Grant are subject to adjustments based on ACC’s review of the budget.  Please also note that grant amounts may be adjusted if the grantee requests changes to the proposed activities, number of participants, and/or travel plans.

 

Support for Organization Grants
ACC support services are intended to enhance the proposed plan of activity, increase access to artistic communities and cultural resources in the chosen destination(s), and deepen the cultural exchange experience. Support services may include recommendations of sites to visit or activities to participate in, or connections to ACC’s broader community of fellows, institutional partners, and alumni.

Kindly be aware that ACC does not maintain offices in every country, territory, or region where grantees pursue activities. (There are ACC offices in Hong Kong SAR, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan ROC, and the U.S.) As a result, certain assistance, such as making specific connections, may be limited. It is essential to consider ACC's available resources and operational capacity while developing your research project. Proposals should be designed to be achievable independently, with or without additional guidance from ACC.

 

FAQS for Organization Grants

• In the past, ACC has funded organizations to send individuals to participate in performances, workshops, festivals, and more. Can I apply to do the same?
  • No, ACC has shifted away from funding travel grants and will no longer support these projects.
• Will ACC sponsor visas for the Activity Lead and Activity Participants?
  • No, ACC will not sponsor visas or provide other visa support for Organization Grantees. It is the grantee’s responsibility to secure visas for staff and other activity participants. 
• I have plans to organize events that are related to grant activities in my home country before or after my trip. Can I request funding for activities that occur outside the proposed travel dates?
  • No, ACC provides financial support only for grant activities executed during the period in which the Activity Lead and Activity Participants are in the proposed travel destination(s).

 

To apply for the Organization Grant, click the link below to register and/or log in to the GoApply application portal. For instructions on how to register in the GoApply portal, click HERE.

APPLY HERE