The Graduate Fellowship is run by the Asian Cultural Council (ACC), a New York–based nonprofit that funds cultural exchange between Asia and the U.S. It gives a small number of grants to students from Asia earning a U.S. graduate degree in one of ACC’s 16 arts and culture disciplines.
ACC gives priority to applicants whose program is not available at home, or whose field is underrepresented there.
Benefits & funding
- US$15,000 for one academic year of full-time coursework (Fall 2027–Spring 2028 or Spring 2028–Fall 2028), toward travel and living costs.
- A second year may be funded at ACC’s discretion, after review of the academic record and proof of enrollment.
- No tuition, research costs (fieldwork, equipment) or research/thesis-phase support.
- ACC does not sponsor the student visa.
Eligibility
- Citizen or legal permanent resident of an ACC-eligible country, territory or region (list below); U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents cannot apply. Work and student visas do not count as permanent residence.
- Graduate degree in one of 16 disciplines: architecture, archaeology, art history, arts administration, arts criticism, conservation, crafts, curation, dance, ethnomusicology, film, literature, museum studies, music, theater, visual art (video art and photography count as visual art).
- Enrolled full-time, in residence, in a U.S. program, or proof of admission by April 1, 2027; in the coursework phase, completing two consecutive full-time semesters in the grant period. Part-time, summer-only, online and non-degree programs are excluded.
- The five years’ experience ACC asks of other applicants does not apply.
- Recipients of any ACC grant in the last two calendar years cannot apply.
- Eligible: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Mainland China, East Timor, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macau SAR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Eligible nationalities
Afghanistan · Bangladesh · Bhutan · Brunei · Cambodia · China · Timor-Leste · Hong Kong · India · Indonesia · Japan · South Korea
Residents of Afghanistan · Bangladesh · Bhutan · Brunei · Cambodia · China · Timor-Leste · Hong Kong · India · Indonesia · Japan · South Korea · Laos · Macau · Malaysia · Mongolia · Myanmar · Nepal · Pakistan · Philippines · Singapore · Sri Lanka · Taiwan · Thailand · Vietnam can also apply.
+ 13 more
Laos · Macau · Malaysia · Mongolia · Myanmar · Nepal · Pakistan · Philippines · Singapore · Sri Lanka · Taiwan · Thailand · Vietnam
Education required
Bachelor · Master Enrolled · PhD Enrolled
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Apply on ACC’s GoApply portal by November 10, 2026, 9:59 AM ET; only one ACC program per cycle.
- 2Name one recommender (not an ACC trustee, staff member or donor); they upload a letter after you submit, by November 16, 2026, 9:59 AM ET, or the application is not reviewed.
- 3Short-listed candidates have a virtual interview.
Program timeline
Application deadline (9:59 AM ET)
Nov 10, 2026
Recommendation letters due
Nov 16, 2026
Proof of admission due, if not yet admitted
Apr 1, 2027
Notifications
Mid-May 2027
Grant period
Aug 1, 2027 to Dec 31, 2028