Asian Cultural Council (ACC) Organization Grant

The Asian Cultural Council (ACC) is a longstanding philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing international understanding and dialogue through cultural exchange in the arts. Its Organization Grant program provides opportunities for arts and culture organizations in Asia and the United States to design and implement meaningful exchange activities. The grants are designed to promote deep immersion, exploration, and engagement with artistic communities across borders, building stronger relationships and expanding cultural perspectives. Organization Grants may support a wide range of activities that enable travel or hosting between eligible countries, territories, and regions. Supported activities include cultural immersion, research, access to artistic communities, and exchange of ideas with peers. Projects can involve sending an organization’s staff and activity participants abroad or hosting visitors within the applicant’s country. Through these experiences, organizations are encouraged to broaden their understanding of cultural practices, foster international networks, and create opportunities for lasting collaboration and innovation. ACC provides not only financial resources but also individualized support to enhance grantee projects. This support may include logistical advice, introductions to relevant alumni and professionals, and invitations to ACC gatherings. However, ACC’s support services are limited by its physical presence, as it maintains a headquarters in New York and affiliate offices in Hong Kong SAR, Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan ROC. Applicants are expected to submit feasible and self-sufficient plans that can succeed even with limited external assistance. Eligibility is open to nonprofit organizations, government-affiliated or government-sponsored cultural institutions, and accredited higher education institutions. Organizations must be legally registered and based in one of ACC’s eligible countries, territories, or regions, and demonstrate at least five years of active artistic or cultural programming. Applications must designate a primary contact, an activity lead, and activity participants, all of whom must be citizens or legal permanent residents of eligible countries. The activity lead and participants may come from multiple countries, but all must meet the eligibility requirements. Organization Grants support one to six months of travel for grantees to engage in cultural exchange. Travel can take place between Asia and the United States or within Asia itself. Proposals must align with ACC’s eligible destinations, which include a broad list of Asian countries, territories, and the United States. Competitive applications emphasize significant, uninterrupted time for cultural immersion, with at least 30 consecutive days in the U.S. or at least 30 cumulative days in Asia. ACC encourages proposals that prioritize depth over breadth, discouraging multiple short visits across numerous destinations without strong rationale. Grants may be awarded up to $50,000 USD, with amounts determined by the proposed budget, activities, duration, and overall quality of the application. Eligible expenses include economy airfare, ground transport, accommodations, food, visas, travel health insurance, interpretation services, and expenses tied directly to cultural exchange objectives. Ineligible costs include capital equipment, production staffing, or expenses for family members outside of the proposal. ACC issues an initial advance of $3,000 USD following the signing of a grant agreement, with the balance disbursed upon submission of detailed travel documentation prior to departure. The 2026 grant cycle application window runs from October 1, 2025, through November 19, 2025. All funded travel must occur within the grant period from August 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027. Applications will be reviewed for feasibility, cultural impact, and alignment with ACC’s mission to foster cross-cultural understanding through the arts. By supporting organizations committed to meaningful dialogue and exchange, ACC aims to strengthen global artistic communities and provide the conditions for long-term cultural collaboration.

Strong proposals emphasize immersion, fewer destinations, clear exchange rationale, and budgets aligned with eligible expenses