ADW Future Design Scholars Program
2026 ADW Future Design Fellowship · Open Call
Supporting emerging scholars shaping the future of design, technology, culture, and society through independent research hosted at recognized universities, research institutes, and laboratories worldwide.
An inaugural fellowship for the next generation of design scholarship.
Asia Design Week is pleased to launch the ADW Future Design Scholars Program, an international scholar-support initiative for 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.
The 2026 fellowship will select one to two scholars through an open application and review process. It supports independent academic research conducted with a recognized university, research institute, laboratory, or academic host organization.
Learn more about the programSix areas of future design research
Applicants are invited to propose original and internationally relevant projects that advance design knowledge, methods, creative technologies, cultural exchange, and positive societal impact.
Future Design Studies
Design theory, history, criticism, methods, education, and emerging research frameworks.
Design Intelligence and Human-AI Co-Creation
Human-AI collaboration, design reasoning, creative computing, and intelligent design tools.
Creative Technology and Experience Systems
Interaction, spatial computing, media art, digital culture, and experience design.
Sustainable Design and Social Impact
Sustainable systems, public design, community innovation, and social transformation.
Cross-Cultural Design and Cultural Creativity
Cultural knowledge, creative industries, communication, and international exchange.
Research Prototypes and Public Knowledge
Research-driven prototypes, exhibitions, public scholarship, and knowledge visualization.
2026 ADW Future Design Fellowship
Selected scholars may receive a one-year fellowship support package. The total support package may be structured within an indicative range of USD 80,000 to USD 120,000, depending on host location, host institution requirements, the proposed research plan, and the Fellowship Committee's funding assessment.
View full fellowship detailsWhat you need to apply
Prepare the materials below in English and submit the complete application by email before May 31, 2026.
How to Apply- Curriculum Vitae
- Research Proposal
- Personal Statement
- Two Representative Works
- Host Affiliation Evidence
- Two Referees
A regional platform for design knowledge and public exchange.
ADW's wider platform includes exhibitions, design forums, award programs, publications, academic exchange, and international collaborations across the Asian design community.
ADW Partner Network
The program is connected to Asia Design Week's regional and international network across design associations, councils, academic societies, cultural institutions, and award platforms.
University of the Arts Sharjah
Macao Product Design Association
Golden Pin Design Award
Korea Ensemble of Contemporary Design
Hebei International Industrial Design Week
Industrial Designers Society of Thailand
Association of Designers of India
Indonesian Industrial Product Designers Alliance
Industrial Designers Association of Taipei
International Association of Designers
Korea Society of Illustration Research
CEIDA
Art Design Association of Hainan Province
Zhejiang Industrial Design Association
Beijing Design Society
Hong Kong Designers Association
Mongolian National Designers Association
Macao International Design Alliance
Goldreed Industrial Design Award
European Product Design Award
Shenzhen Industrial Design Profession Association
ixDC
Malaysia Design Council
Malaysian Graphic Design Association
Korea Society of Color Studies
Partner visibility supports outreach, exchange, and public credibility; it does not indicate funding, employment, review authority, or research-deliverable responsibility unless separately agreed in writing.
Program Updates
An Asia Design Week scholar-support initiative.
Asia Design Week is an international design organization and cultural exchange platform administered by the Asia Design Week Committee, with program and liaison presence in Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, and Seoul.
About Asia Design Week