ADWFuture DesignScholars Program
An international scholar initiative by Asia Design Week supporting emerging researchers, postdoctoral scholars, and interdisciplinary practitioners shaping the future of design, technology, culture, and society.
- Theme
- Future Design Innovation & Sustainable Research Impact
- Award
- USD 80,000 – 100,000one-year living & research stipend
- Scholars
- 1 – 2 selected
- Application
- April 8 – May 8, 2026rolling eligibility review
- Award Letter
- From May 16, 2026
- Apply
- [email protected]
An inaugural fellowship for the next generation of design scholarship
Future Design Innovation and Sustainable Research Impact.
Independent research hosted at a recognized university, research institute, laboratory, or academic host organization.
Asia Design Week is pleased to announce the launch of the ADW Future Design Scholars Program, an international scholar initiative established to support emerging researchers, postdoctoral scholars, and interdisciplinary practitioners whose work explores the future of design and its long-term value for technology, culture, society, and sustainable development.
As the inaugural award under this program, the 2026 ADW Future Design Fellowship will select one to two scholars through an open application and review process. The Fellowship supports independent academic research conducted at a recognized university, research institute, laboratory, or academic host organization.
Design as the medium where creativity, knowledge, and future life
International vision, interdisciplinary capacity, long-term research potential — supported through prototypes, methods, and public knowledge production, not publications alone.
Design is entering a new historical phase. With the rapid development of emerging technologies, intelligent media, cross-cultural exchange, and sustainability challenges, design is no longer limited to visual form, product creation, or service innovation. It is becoming a critical medium through which human creativity, cultural knowledge, technological transformation, and future ways of living are connected.
The ADW Future Design Scholars Program identifies and supports scholars with international vision, interdisciplinary capacity, and long-term research potential — encouraging forward-looking research that connects design with technology, culture, education, creative practice, sustainability, social innovation, and emerging forms of human experience.
A one-year fellowship benefits package.
Determined by host country or region cost-of-living, host appointment requirements, the proposed research plan, and committee assessment.
The 2026 ADW Future Design Fellowship provides selected scholar(s) with a one-year benefits package to support independent research at a recognized academic host organization. Each selected scholar may receive a one-year living and research stipend ranging from USD 80,000 to USD 100,000. The final amount is determined by the cost of living in the proposed host country or region, the host institution's appointment requirements, the proposed research plan, and the Fellowship Committee's funding assessment.
Living & Research Stipend
USD 80,000 – 100,000 (one year)
International Travel Support
If applicable to the host arrangement
Visa-Related Fees
If applicable to the host country or region
Health Insurance
Or host-institution health requirements
Research Materials
Books, software, fieldwork expenses
Academic Activities
Conferences, workshops, research exchange
The Fellowship may be used to support postdoctoral research, visiting research, or other independent scholarly work conducted at a recognized academic host organization. The Fellowship does not constitute employment, salary, consulting compensation, service fee, or payment for services to Asia Design Week. Selected scholar(s) will not be required to provide employment services to Asia Design Week as a condition of receiving the Fellowship.
Fourteen fields of future-oriented inquiry.
Proposals may address one or more areas, or combine them into interdisciplinary projects with international relevance.
Open to scholars from all countries and regions.
Applicants from all countries and regions are welcome. The Fellowship places no constraint on host institution or geographic location.
Hold a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree by the proposed fellowship start date.
Demonstrate a strong record of academic research, creative practice, technological development, design innovation, or interdisciplinary work.
Propose an independent research project aligned with the annual Fellowship theme or research areas.
Have obtained, or be in the process of obtaining, affiliation with a recognized university, research institute, laboratory, or academic host organization.
Be able to conduct the proposed research during the one-year fellowship period.
Have no employment obligation to Asia Design Week as a condition of receiving the Fellowship.
Submit a single PDF in English, by email.
2026 ADW Future Design Fellowship – Application – [Applicant Name]
| 01 | Curriculum Vitae | Full academic and professional record. |
| 02 | Research Proposal | 1,500 – 2,000 words. Original, internationally relevant, aligned with the 2026 theme. |
| 03 | Personal Statement | Up to 1,000 words. Motivation, trajectory, and intended impact. |
| 04 | Two Representative Works | Publications, research projects, creative works, or technology-based design projects. |
| 05 | Proof of Host Affiliation | Invitation, appointment letter, or ongoing host arrangement, if available. |
| 06 | Two References | Contact information for two academic or professional referees. |
All application materials should be combined into a single PDF file and submitted in English to the address above with the prescribed subject line.
SUBMIT APPLICATION BY EMAILFive weighted measures, reviewed in concert.
The committee considers the application as an integrated whole, not as a sum of detached scores.
- 01Academic excellence and research potential25%
- 02Originality and significance of the proposed research25%
- 03Contribution to future design, creative research, or emerging design practice20%
- 04International relevance and social, cultural, or sustainable impact15%
- 05Feasibility of the research plan and host environment fit15%
The review committee will pay particular attention to whether the applicant demonstrates a clear research question, strong academic foundation, interdisciplinary capacity, feasible research pathway, and long-term contribution to the field of future design.
An accelerated rolling cycle.
As the inaugural special cycle, the 2026 Fellowship adopts a rolling eligibility review during the application window, followed by expert review, public announcement, a three-day public notice period, and issuance of the official Fellowship Award Letter — supporting timely academic appointments, postdoctoral research, and international research mobility in 2026.
- 01Eligibility and completeness review
- 02Expert review by an independent review committee
- 03Shortlist interview, if required
- 04Final selection by the Fellowship Committee
- 05Public announcement of selected scholar(s)
- 06A three-day public notice period
- 07Issuance of the official Fellowship Award Letter
A one-month open call. An accelerated review cycle.
Award letters issued from May 16. Fellowship period aligned to the scholar's host appointment.
- 01Open Call PublishedApril 8, 2026
- 02Application PeriodApril 8 – May 8, 2026
- 03Rolling Eligibility & Completeness ReviewApril 8 – May 8, 2026
- 04Expert ReviewMay 8 – May 12, 2026
- 05Finalist Interview, if requiredMay 10 – May 12, 2026
- 06Final Selection by the Fellowship CommitteeMay 12, 2026
- 07Public Announcement of Selected Scholar(s)May 13, 2026
- 08Public Notice PeriodMay 13 – May 15, 2026
- 09Fellowship Award Letter IssuedFrom May 16, 2026
- 10Fellowship PeriodOne year, subject to host appointment schedule
Beyond the stipend: a long-term scholarly network.
ADW Future Design Scholar
A long-term affiliation with the ADW Future Design Scholars Network — independent of any employment relationship.
- 01
A one-year living and research stipend ranging from USD 80,000 to USD 100,000.
- 02
The title of ADW Future Design Scholar.
- 03
Scholar profile and research introduction on Asia Design Week's official website and international communication platforms.
- 04
Opportunities to participate in Asia Design Week academic forums, exhibitions, seminars, or research exchange activities.
- 05
Access to Asia Design Week's international network of design, technology, art, education, and cultural innovation communities.
- 06
Long-term participation in the ADW Future Design Scholars Network.
Participation in ADW-related academic exchange activities does not constitute an employment or service obligation. Any such participation will be arranged separately based on the scholar's research schedule and mutual agreement.
An international platform for design and dialogue.
Exhibitions · Forums · Awards · Publications · Educational Programs · International Partnerships.
Asia Design Week is an international design platform dedicated to promoting design innovation, academic exchange, professional collaboration, and cross-cultural dialogue across Asia and the global design community. Through exhibitions, forums, awards, publications, educational programs, and international partnerships, Asia Design Week supports emerging ideas and future-facing practices in design, technology, art, and society.
The ADW Future Design Scholars Program is a new academic initiative established by Asia Design Week to support future design research and emerging international scholars. Through a continuing scholar-support mechanism, the program aims to advance research on future design knowledge, creative technologies, cultural exchange, sustainable innovation, and design-driven social impact.
For questions regarding the Fellowship, please write to us.
ADW Future Design Scholars Program Committee