Currently 14 active paid grants, fellowships and residencies open to applicants in Asia, across AI, arts, film, research, tech and cross-disciplinary practice. Hand-curated and updated weekly. Every entry is funded, no exposure-only calls. Browse the list below, or use the interactive desk for filtering and shortlisting.
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Story grants supporting in-depth, original reporting on water governance, transboundary river issues and community experiences in the Mekong basin, with emphasis on stories that explore and voice marginalised groups such as women, youth and Indigenous people. ELIGIBILITY: journalists working in any medium (online, print, TV, radio), media practitioners with professional reporting experience, early-career and experienced reporters, freelancers and staff from international, national, local and community-based outlets. Groups of journalists may apply with one lead applicant. Reserved for applicants from and covering Mekong countries: Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and/or Vietnam. English-language proficiency required. SUPPORT: up to USD 2,000 per grant (up to 13 grants), plus one-on-one mentorship from experienced journalists and EJN's GESI specialist. APPLY: submit an application including a letter of editorial support committing to publish by the deadline; the proposal should address relevance, originality, reach, impact, innovative storytelling and a timely publication plan. Stories must be published by 31 December 2026. Deadline: 14 June 2026.
The FemFirst Research Observatory supports mid- to senior-career women and non-binary-identifying researchers and scholars in contributing original research on feminist AI futures in South and Southeast Asia. The Observatory will support 8 to 12 researchers, each developing two high-quality original research papers (6,000 words each) over a 12-month period, alongside two blog syntheses and additional dissemination materials such as podcast episodes. AIMS: build a robust body of empirical, conceptual, policy and applied research at the intersection of AI and gender equality in South and Southeast Asia; open new technical, social and political pathways for feminist AI; and seed an interdisciplinary AI knowledge ecosystem and network of researchers and institutions in the region. ELIGIBILITY: established mid- to senior-career researchers and scholars; may be independent researchers, individual researchers, scholars or academics, or research teams at registered research institutions or entities (universities, research centres, non-profit organisations, for-profit firms). Applicants must demonstrate regional expertise and specialisation in South and Southeast Asia with a track record of work on digitalisation and gender. Applicants must identify as a woman or non-binary person; team applications must be led by a woman or non-binary person. Researchers located outside South or Southeast Asia are considered, but research must focus on the region. Proposed research must be original and not published elsewhere; any additional funding sources for the same proposal must be disclosed.
Tokyo Arts and Space (TOKAS) International Creator Residency invites practitioners to develop new works and ideas in Tokyo, with research outcomes presented at a closing Open Studio at TOKAS Residency. The programme fosters cross-cultural creative exchange across visual arts (drawing, installation, painting, performance, photography, media art, sculpture, sound art, video, etc.), design and architecture. ELIGIBILITY: creators residing outside Japan with at least five years of experience in visual arts, design or architecture; sufficient English to communicate with residents and TOKAS staff; independent and capable of working and living on one's own; duos eligible if at least one member resides outside Japan and they have completed at least one prior project together; students ineligible except PhD candidates. CONDITIONS: must stay consecutively at TOKAS Residency for the proposed period; create work for the Open Studio and submit a comprehensive project report; cooperate with TOKAS public relations; no commercial or for-profit activities; accommodation is for the participating creator only (no family/partners/friends/guests). Apply via the TOKAS online submission form by 16 June 2026, 18:00 JST: application form (PDF, in English), two letters of recommendation from referees at art and cultural institutions, and a portfolio (max 6 A4 landscape pages, max 10MB, up to 3 projects).
ELIGIBILITY: international curators, art critics, and cultural researchers based outside Japan. Six curators selected in total (two per residency window). Two letters of recommendation required. Working proficiency in English required. APPLY: download the Application Package (Curator2027) from TOKAS, complete the PDF application form, attach two letters of recommendation and a portfolio, and submit via the online submission form by 18:00 JST on June 16, 2026. TIMELINE: application window May 19 to June 16, 2026; selection results announced later in 2026; residency periods May-Jul 2027, Sep-Nov 2027, Jan-Mar 2028. DISCIPLINES: curation, art criticism, cultural research. NOTE: TOKAS covers airfare, accommodation in a single private room at TOKAS Residency (Sumida-ku), and a fee for research/project work. There is no dedicated studio (this program is research-focused). Selected curators must give mentoring sessions to local emerging creators and deliver a public talk. Additional travel within Japan must be self-funded.
TOKAS Research Residency Program 2027 supports international and local creators to conduct research on arts and culture in Tokyo. ELIGIBILITY: practitioners with considerable experience in their specialised area; applicants must not be students at the time of participation (PhD candidates are eligible). DISCIPLINES: visual arts, design, architecture, music, performing arts, curation, art criticism, cultural research and writing. FUNDED: TOKAS covers round-trip economy airfare from the nearest airport to Narita or Haneda, single-occupancy 25 sqm accommodation at TOKAS Residency (49 sqm twin for duo applicants), per-diem living expenses, and provides research and public-relations assistance plus an Open Studio presentation. APPLY: download the Outline and Application Package; submit Application Form (PDF), two letters of recommendation and a portfolio via the Online Submission Form. TIMELINE: open call 19 May to 16 June 2026 (18:00 JST); residency periods are May to July 2027, September to November 2027, or January to March 2028.
Multidisciplinary international residency at the A4 Residency Art Center in Chengdu, China, a global exchange platform integrating creation, networking and resources, dedicated to fostering cross-cultural creative collisions and innovation through residency programmes while promoting deep integration of creative culture with commerce and communities. Residents initiate one to two participatory local activities to facilitate communication with the city and community; A4 also organises group activities, intimate sharing and exhibition opportunities to foster understanding among creators and connect them with local resources. ELIGIBILITY: international applicants from any field; A4 welcomes applications from multidisciplinary artists (visual, performing, music, film, sound, architecture), curators, designers (product, fashion, spatial, interactive), and interdisciplinary creatives. PROGRAMME SUPPORT: studio and accommodation; round-trip economy airfare or 2nd-class train within a set budget; RMB 10,000 production grant per person/team (excluding living expenses). DEADLINE: 30 June 2026 (Autumn 2027 cycle). APPLY via the A4 Residency Art Center latest-recruitment page.
The Pier-2 Art Center Artist-in-Residence Program (PAIR), established in 2015 and rooted in the port area of Kaohsiung, supports contemporary artistic practices that embrace experimentation and cross-disciplinary perspectives. The 2027 open call theme, 'Beta Port | An Unfinished Harbor', reflects a state of becoming, inviting artists to respond to the changing realities and imaginaries of Kaohsiung as a port city in continuous formation. Rather than merely revisiting history or collecting local materials, PAIR encourages projects that engage the city's present perceptions and lived experiences, emphasizing public engagement, local sensibility, and experimental approaches. PROVIDES: a 33 sqm studio (with private bathroom) and 16.5 sqm living space; exchange with local artistic and cultural spaces and a public presentation during the residency; access to shared facilities (multifunctional space, kitchen, dining, lecture and meeting rooms); round-trip travel (international economy airfare or domestic Taiwan HSR); a daily living allowance of NTD 800 per artist/group (taxes and premiums withheld); and a project material subsidy up to NTD 35,000. Designated staff assist with administrative coordination, resource matching and creative support, but artists manage their own daily life, material procurement, installation, and any non-English interpreting/translation. ELIGIBILITY: artists and artist groups (groups limited to two members) of any nationality and any discipline, with at least two years of artistic experience; students must be enrolled at graduate level or above; at least intermediate English is required (residency communication is primarily in Chinese and English); applicants must work and live independently and reside for the full approved period. Apply online by 5 July 2026.
Pier-2 Artist-in-Residence Programme (PAIR) 2027 welcomes artists whose practice engages experimental approaches, cross-disciplinary work, and place-based research from Taiwan and abroad. Pier-2 Art Center is a settlement-style arts hub in Kaohsiung, transformed from former warehouse clusters, known for diversity, openness, experimentation and innovation across visual arts, music, theatre, cultural and creative industries, film, television, and more. 2027 THEME: 'Beta Port | An Unfinished Harbour' - a state of becoming; Beta Port suggests an unfixed, in-progress condition embodying openness, fluidity and ongoing evolution; An Unfinished Harbour points to a city that continuously retains the potential to be re-examined, reconnected, and rearticulated. PAIR approaches the residency as an open site of artistic production, supporting artists to develop works and methodologies in dialogue with Kaohsiung through research, exchange and practice. Artists are invited to take Kaohsiung as a starting point and propose projects emphasising public engagement, local sensibility, and experimental approaches. ELIGIBILITY: open to artists and artistic groups (of two people) of all nationalities with at least two years of experience in art creation. BENEFITS: studio and living space; art exchange opportunities; round-trip economy flight or high-speed rail ticket; daily allowance of NTD 800 per person/group; project material subsidy up to NTD 35,000; an assigned project manager. RESIDENCY 2027 PERIOD: 1 January - 31 December 2027 across four intervals (Jan-Mar, Apr-Jun, Jul-Sep, Oct-Dec); each selected artist undertakes no less than 60 days and no more than 90 days. DEADLINE: 5 July 2026.
International visiting artist/scholar residency at the USC-SJTU Institute of Cultural and Creative Industry in Shanghai, recruiting 5-6 participants for a cross-media, cross-cultural and cross-spatial exploration of contemporary art at a time when AI and spatial computing are reshaping artistic expression. Three program directions: Art and Technology (digital and material interaction); Humanistic Dialogue (cross-cultural understanding through exchange); and Urban Engagement (responding to urban transformation). Residents receive an individual studio plus access to ceramics, computer lab, sculpture, sound, VR and print facilities, a library and gallery, and private apartment housing (no meals). Support includes 1-2 assistants, organized museum and gallery visits, exchange with local Chinese artists, a group exhibition, and media promotion. ELIGIBILITY: teaching or public-lecture/seminar experience at a university or art institution; an active artistic practice (priority to interdisciplinary media, digital art, easel painting or integrated media); ability to organize 1-2 public events (lectures or workshops) during the residency; fluent English presentation and strong cross-cultural communication skills. Selected artists must donate two artworks for SJTU's permanent collection (provide a list of at least five works), actively participate in ICCI activities, and fully commit to the residency period. Selection announced July 30, 2026. Working languages: English and Mandarin.
The Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) is seeking an Artistic Director (individual or team) for the 14th Seoul Mediacity Biennale. Launched in 1996, the Biennale is the only one in Korea hosted by a museum and serves as SeMA's flagship international exhibition, a platform bringing together the rapidly changing media environment and the expanding city of Seoul. The 14th edition's exhibition is tentatively scheduled for 16 August to 14 November 2027 across SeMA venues (Seosomun Branch, parts of the Seo-Seoul Museum of Art, Paik Ground SeMA, and the Media Art Seoul Exhibition Platform). ROLE: establish the exhibition theme, develop the plan, select artists and works, oversee installation, texts, budget, related programs/publications, public relations and sponsorship, working with the Biennale team and SeMA departments. QUALIFICATIONS: demonstrated expertise in contemporary art and, within the past five years, experience as director or chief curator of an international Biennale-scale art project; ability to contribute to SeMA's networks; ability to visit and stay in Seoul for a sufficient period; and ability to work within SeMA's institutional systems. They seek a critical perspective on media and contemporary art grounded in the Biennale's identity, a future-oriented model reflecting Seoul's history and locality, and an original curatorial proposal not previously realized in Korea or internationally. COMPENSATION: about KRW 60 million (individual) / KRW 80 million (team); part-time with flexibility to go full-time, through December 2027. APPLY by email from 3 June to 15 July 2026 (midnight KST); shortlist announced around 21 August, interviews 27 August, final selection around 31 August. Inquiries: contact@mediacityseoul.kr.
Four-week residency in Kyoto for artists, curators and writers from anywhere in the world, working in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, film, video, new media, installation, fiction and nonfiction writing, poetry, interdisciplinary or social practice. Open to all career stages, 21 and over. Selected participants notified by 1 September 2026.
The VH AWARD, hosted by Hyundai Motor Group, supports emerging media artists whose work engages with the context of Asia, through an online residency and exhibitions across global platforms. FIELD: audiovisual, screen-based artworks including video art, motion graphics, animation, games, films or newly explored areas; proposals must suit single-channel video presentation (no interactivity). ELIGIBILITY: individuals or collectives whose work engages with the context of Asia, including artists of Asian descent, those based in Asia, and the Asian diaspora. Five finalists are selected, each receiving a USD 30,000 production grant and a place in the Ars Electronica online residency program (masterclasses and 1:1 mentoring), with networking and exhibition opportunities; one Grand Prix recipient (announced 2027) receives an additional USD 30,000; a new Honorary Mention category recognises one or two further applicants with website features and selected residency components. APPLY: via the VH AWARD website Entry Portal with a video portfolio (max 3 min), CV and artist statement (max 3 pages), and a new artwork proposal (max 3 pages) with a reference video (max 1 min); all documents in English; proposed works must be original and unexhibited. Open call 26 May - 21 July 2026 (KST); finalists announced September 2026.
International Writers' Workshop (IWW) at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), founded in 2004, has hosted over 150 writers from more than 60 countries. The 2027 Writers-in-Residence Programme runs 26 February to 25 March 2027 and culminates in the IWW Literary Festival on the theme 'Inheritance'. Writers are encouraged to share a piece of writing in conversation with the festival theme. ELIGIBILITY: have at least one published book; currently reside outside of Hong Kong; have a functional command of English or Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese). WHAT IWW PROVIDES: round-trip economy class airfare; accommodation on HKBU's campus for 4 weeks; a per diem. DEADLINE: 14 August 2026. APPLY via the IWW HKBU call for application (PDF).
Multidisciplinary international residency at the A4 Residency Art Center in Chengdu, China, a global exchange platform integrating creation, networking and resources, dedicated to fostering cross-cultural creative collisions and innovation through residency programmes while promoting deep integration of creative culture with commerce and communities. Residents initiate one to two participatory local activities to facilitate communication with the city and community; A4 also organises group activities, intimate sharing and exhibition opportunities to foster understanding among creators and connect them with local resources. AVAILABLE DATES: Spring 2028 (April - June) or Autumn 2028 (July - October). ELIGIBILITY: international applicants from any field; A4 welcomes applications from multidisciplinary artists (visual, performing, music, film, sound, architecture), curators, designers (product, fashion, spatial, interactive), and interdisciplinary creatives. PROGRAMME SUPPORT: studio and accommodation; round-trip economy airfare or 2nd-class train within a set budget; RMB 10,000 production grant per person/team (excluding living expenses). DEADLINE: 31 December 2026 (2028 cycles). APPLY via the A4 Residency Art Center latest-recruitment page.