Two types of Fellowships are offered: a Research Fellowship and an Educator Fellowship. Each will have a budget of up to INR 5,50,000. They will support projects that focus on textile practices in South Asia and may include inquiries into handmade, machine-made, semi-mechanised or digitally produced objects and processes. The grant money is intended towards unique project costs including technology, research fees, maintenance costs, procuring equipment, training material, travel within South Asia and other essential resources towards project execution. Each Fellowship may be combined with other grants or funding based on project requirements.

Applications will be reviewed by a five-member Advisory Committee comprising representatives from the MAP Academy and Nalli, and three external specialists in the fields of textiles, design and arts education.

We are now accepting applications for 2024–25, until 30th September 2024, 11:59 PM IST.

We invite proposals focusing on lesser known and studied textiles, practices, communities and histories in South Asia. The Research Fellowship will support and encourage projects that meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Contribute towards expanding either academic or practice-based inquiry into textile research
• Draw on existing textiles and practices as sources of learning or inspiration, ideally including objects and techniques, using field research and documentation, or national archives, cultural institutions and collections
• Approach written, documented and oral histories of textiles critically and sensitively
• Situate tool-making, finished objects, or motifs and designs as significant in the purview of textiles
• Potentially contribute to or propose the dissemination of knowledge in South Asian languages through translation-based projects
• Explore or involve textile-making practices as a way to innovate further; or experiment with or revive historical practices, techniques, materials and processes
• Critically approach concepts of sustainability, fast fashion, equitable distribution of resources and upcycling in the production and consumption of textiles

The projects should lead to concrete and meaningful impact through one or more outcomes including but not necessarily limited to:

• The publication of written work (online, or in print)
• The development of multimedia outcomes such as a film or podcast, or other audio-visual or digital programmes and initiatives
• An exhibition, workshop, conference or other public programming
• The creation of a new artwork, design or fashion objects, or any other creative output
• Other experimental projects or programmes

We invite proposals for projects that help disseminate knowledge on South Asian textiles. These may involve building curriculums, developing workshops, conducting fieldwork, working with schools and other educational or cultural institutions to spread or democratise knowledge on South Asian textiles, practices, techniques or histories.

The Educator Fellowship will support and encourage projects that meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Build a course curriculum on the histories of South Asian textiles for learners who may not have prior knowledge of the subject. Applicants may use the MAP Academy’s Textiles from the Indian Subcontinent as an introductory resource.
• Allow for the dissemination of resources — either in training teachers or in building pedagogical tools
• Encourage a teaching practice that is grounded in fieldwork and embodied community experiences in textile-making
• Empathetically approach the relationships between different stakeholders in the industry, such as artists, designers, artisans, brands, labourers and consumers
• Reflect on the manner in which knowledge is currently and typically produced amongst researchers, educators, practitioners and learners
• Critically approach concepts of sustainability, fast fashion, equitable distribution of resources and upcycling in the production and consumption of textiles

The projects should lead to concrete and meaningful impact through one or more outcomes including but not necessarily limited to:

• Special classroom and curriculum interventions at educational or cultural institutions
• Local conferences, workshops or symposia, especially those mounted in unconventional spaces or targeting diverse audiences in an inclusive manner
• The publication of work (online or in print) relevant to textile-based pedagogy
• Training personnel such as teachers and facilitators to teach textile histories and other relevant subject matter to diverse learners
• The use of digital technologies and tools to disseminate knowledge to wider audiences
• Other experimental projects within the realm of education around South Asian textiles

Applications to the MAP Academy and Nalli Fellowships are open for 2024–25. Along with the project proposal, individual applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria and furnish proof where required as part of the application process:

• Applicant is over 18 years of age
• Applicant is based in South Asia
• The applicant’s proposal and previous work demonstrates a familiarity with the histories, practices, techniques and existing research relevant to their area of study and interest
• The applicant’s engagement and approach should meet the highest standards of ethics, sensitivity and inclusivity, particularly when dealing with representations of communities
• The proposed project should have tangible outcomes, as outlined above, within a year of the commencement of the Fellowship
• For community or institution-specific projects, applicants must demonstrate access as required
• Applicant must furnish proof of further sources of funding if the project requires a larger budget than what the current Fellowship offers

For further queries regarding the application process please contact us at: fellowships@map-india.org. Please refer closely to the notes and FAQs on our website before writing in. The last date for submitting applications is 30th September 2024, 11:59 PM IST. Shortlisted candidates will be notified for further steps by the end of November 2024.

We are currently accepting applications in English only, and aim to welcome those in other South Asian languages in the future.

Apply for Research Fellowship Apply for Educator Fellowship

The MAP Academy is a non-profit online resource that focuses on the art histories of South Asia. Through its core projects —  Online Courses, Encyclopedia of Art, and the upcoming Timeline of Art — it aims to make art histories more accessible, based on the idea that doing so can have a positive social impact through broadening perspectives on humanity, heritage and culture. The MAP Academy is a project of The Art & Photography Foundation, a Public Charitable Trust registered in Bengaluru in 2011, with 80G, 12AA, CSR and FCRA certifications, which also supports the Museum of Art & Photography (MAP) in Bengaluru.

Established in 1928, Nalli is an iconic, heritage brand known for wedding and Kanchipuram silks. In its nearly 100 year legacy, the family-run business has been known for its innovation, being the first to bring chemical dyes to Indian silks, and exquisite craftsmanship. It was commissioned in 1911 to present a handcrafted Kanchipuram silk to King George V during the reigning monarch’s visit to India following his coronation. Today, it is also known for its patronage of Carnatic music, Bharatnatram, and cultural arts for over six decades, in addition to its success as one of the largest sari retailers with 40+ stores all over the world. With the MAP Academy & Nalli Fellowship, it hopes to foster a deeper understanding of art, craft and textiles from underrepresented regions to a wider audience, aligning with the mission to make art histories more accessible and impactful.

1. What is the deadline for applying to the MAP Academy & Nalli Fellowships 2024–25?
   The application deadline is 30th September 2024.
2. What is the duration of the Fellowship?
   The duration of the Fellowship is for one year from the date of commencement.
3. What is the grant amount for selected projects?
   Successful applicants to the Research Fellowship and Educator Fellowships will each receive up to INR 5.5 lakhs towards project execution.
4. Who is eligible to apply for the MAP Academy & Nalli Fellowships?
   The grant is open only to applicants residing in South Asia and aged 18 years or older.
5. What is the geographical focus of the Fellowship?
   The Fellowship supports projects examining textiles from South Asia — covering the modern-day countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
6. Can organisations, collectives or groups of people apply for the MAP Academy & Nalli Fellowships?
   No, the Fellowship is open only to individual applicants in the first year, 2024–25. In future iterations, we hope to accept and facilitate group applications.
7. Are travel costs covered by the Fellowship grant?
   Travel costs within South Asia are covered, but no more than 35% of the grant can be allocated for travel expenses. For projects that require further funding, applicants are encouraged to apply for other sources of funding.
8. Who owns the copyright for the Fellowship’s final output?
   The copyright of each outcome from the Fellowship programme will be decided on a case-by-case basis. All outputs produced as a result of the Fellowship will be open and free for the public to access.
9. What languages are accepted for project proposals?
   For the first edition of the Fellowship, applications are accepted only for projects in English. Future editions aim to accept proposals in other South Asian languages.
10. Is the Fellowship only open to projects focusing on handwoven textiles?
    No, the Fellowship welcomes projects that examine handwoven, semi-mechanised, and mechanised textiles, among other modes of production.
11. Should the proposed project be entirely new? Can I revise a previous project?
    The Fellowship supports both new and ongoing projects, as long as they align with the criteria outlined above. Applicants should specify which aspect of their project will be developed using the MAP Academy & Nalli Fellowships’ support. Applicants are required to disclose any current or previous funding from other organisations/platforms in the application form.
12. I can’t meet the deadline for this year’s Fellowship. Will there be another edition in the future?
    Yes, the MAP Academy & Nalli Fellowships will be offered annually for a period of five years, from 2024 to 2029.