The Asian Cultural Council (ACC) runs the New York Fellowship, a six-month, cohort-based programme for artists, scholars and arts professionals from Asia.
Fellows live in New York City (short trips elsewhere in the U.S. are welcome) and immerse themselves in its cultural life, with no obligation to produce or present work. ACC organises group activities and gives individual guidance. The current call is for 2028 fellowships.
Benefits & funding
- US$38,000 for six months, including a US$3,000 travel advance.
- ACC deducts the US$220 SEVIS fee, travel health insurance (US$675–800) and, if chosen, International House housing (about US$19,400–20,600); fellows receive US$10,000–31,100 after arrival.
- ACC-sponsored J-1 visa, required with no exceptions; fellows pay the US$185 visa fee.
- No paid work or ticketed events during the fellowship.
Eligibility
- Citizen or legal permanent resident (indefinite legal status; work or student visas don’t count) of: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China (Mainland), East Timor, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macau SAR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.
- U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents cannot apply.
- At least five years’ experience in one of ACC’s 16 eligible arts and culture disciplines.
- Aged 21 or over at the start; confident using English day to day (J-1 rule).
- Must take leave from paid work, university study and teaching for the six months.
- Past New York Fellows, and anyone awarded an ACC grant in the last two calendar years, are ineligible.
- Proposals must be about immersion, not producing or presenting work.
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
Experience required
≥ 5 yrs
Age requirement
≥ 21 yrs
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 through ACC’s GoApply portal by 10 Nov 2026, 9:59 am U.S. Eastern; one ACC programme per cycle, no co-applicants.
- 2Name one recommender (letter due 16 Nov 2026; no letter, no review) and two professional contacts — none may be ACC trustees, staff or donors.
- 3Applicants through ACC Japan or ACC Taiwan also submit a Japanese or traditional-Chinese copy.
- 4Shortlisted applicants have a virtual interview; ACC’s Global Board of Trustees approves final selections.
Program timeline
Applications open
Oct 1, 2026
Application deadline
Nov 10, 2026
Recommendation letters due
Nov 16, 2026
Decisions
Mid-May 2027
Two cohorts (Jan–Jun or Jul–Dec 2028)
Jan 1, 2028 to Dec 31, 2028