Applications for the inaugural 2026 ADW Future Design Fellowship will close in seven days, at 23:59 (UTC+8) on May 31, 2026.
Under the theme Design Beyond Boundaries: Convergence, Creativity, and Sustainable Innovation, the Fellowship supports original, interdisciplinary, and future-oriented design research. Selected recipients may receive up to 12 months of external research support and academic exchange opportunities.
For a full 12-month Fellowship, the standard support structure comprises a monthly stipend of USD 7,500 and up to USD 10,000 in additional support for research activities, academic travel, relocation, and related expenses. Total support may reach USD 100,000. The final amount, duration, and payment schedule will be specified in each recipient's individual Fellowship Award Letter.
A formal appointment or acceptance document from the proposed host institution is not required at the application stage. Applicants should identify their proposed institution or research environment and describe the current status of relevant discussions, expressions of interest, or institutional arrangements.
Application Materials
Application materials 1-5 should be prepared in English and combined, in the following order, into one complete and searchable PDF file.
1. Curriculum Vitae
Include education, research experience, academic or professional appointments, publications, representative projects, awards, and other relevant achievements.
2. Research Proposal
The proposal should be approximately 1,500-2,000 words, excluding references and image captions. It should normally address the research background and question; project objectives and scope; methods, technical approach, or practice pathway; relationship to the 2026 theme or research areas; work plan and milestones; anticipated outcomes and contributions; and the proposed host institution or research environment.
3. Personal Statement
Submit a statement of no more than 750 words describing the applicant's motivation, relevant experience, current research direction, and the Fellowship's significance for their long-term academic or professional development. The statement should complement, rather than repeat, the curriculum vitae and research proposal.
4. Representative Work
Submit three representative publications, research projects, design works, prototypes, exhibitions, or other outcomes relevant to the proposed research. Briefly explain the significance of each and its relationship to the Fellowship proposal. Stable online links may be included in place of large original files.
5. Proposed Research Environment
Provide information about the proposed university, research institution, laboratory, academic platform, faculty host, or other research environment. Supporting materials may include an invitation, support letter, expression of interest, evidence of an application or approval process, or other written documentation of substantive communication.
6. Letters of Reference
Two letters should be provided by experts familiar with the applicant's research or professional work. Each letter should include the referee's name, institution, title, and contact information, and should normally be sent directly by the referee to the official Program email address.
Reference email subject: 2026 ADW Future Design Fellowship Reference - [Applicant Name]
How to Apply
Combine application materials 1-5 into one searchable PDF file of no more than 25 MB and name it: 2026_ADW_Future_Design_Fellowship_Application_[Applicant Name].pdf
Send the application to official@asia-design-week.com with the subject line: 2026 ADW Future Design Fellowship Application - [Applicant Name]
Reference letters should be sent separately by the referees and do not need to be included in the application PDF.
- Application period: March 1-May 31, 2026
- Deadline: May 31, 2026, 23:59 (UTC+8)
Complete application requirements: www.adwfellowship.com/2026-fellowship
Following the deadline, submissions that meet the basic eligibility and submission requirements will proceed to academic review. Further updates will be published on the official Program website.
