SMALL GRANTS
The Association for Chinese Art History (ACAH) is offering small grants in two categories: research grants of up to USD$750 and conference travel grants of up to USD$500. The aim of the research grants is to support scholarship in Chinese art and architectural history and the visual cultures of global and diasporic Chinas by providing funding opportunities, especially at critical professional turning points. The conference travel grants are intended to facilitate travel for those who have been accepted to present a paper at an academic conference.
The grants may be applied toward research or conference travel, research materials, image permissions, and copyediting, and are intended to augment other sources of funding. Applications for conference travel may not support travel to the Association for Asian Studies Annual Conference. This grants program is available only to current ACAH members. Funds will be paid by reimbursement and the payment request must be submitted within 30 days after the event and not later than 60 days with a final deadline of June 15, 2026 (whichever comes first). Grants recipients will be asked to credit ACAH and Bei Shan Tang Foundation support in the research output, and to submit a brief report after completion of the research activity.
To apply, please submit the following in one pdf file to achinesearthistory@gmail.com by November 3, 2025:
• If applying for the research grant: proposal (500 words maximum) that includes: (1) the scope of the project, (2) the uses for the small research grant, (3) the impact of the proposed research output on the applicant (for example, dissertation research and writing, tenure application, etc.), (4) budget, and (5) CV.
• If applying for the conference travel grant: proposal (500 words maximum) that includes: (1) abstract for accepted paper, (2) the impact of participation in the conference on the applicant (for example, feedback on research, network building, etc.), (3) budget, and (4) CV. Please also include (5) a letter of acceptance or conference program.
Present ACAH board members are not eligible to apply. Only one ACAH funding opportunity will be granted to applicants in the same year. Applicants may not receive funding from the same ACAH funding opportunity in consecutive years. Actual awards will depend on applications and available funding.
Notification will be made by December 12, 2025.
VIRTUAL SPEAKER GRANTS
The Association for Chinese Art History (ACAH) is offering up to three Virtual Speaker grants of up to USD$350 each, which is intended to support the honorarium of a guest speaker. The aim of this grant is to provide opportunities for scholars to host virtual lectures that contribute to student and community engagement with Chinese art and architectural history and the visual cultures of global and diasporic Chinas by providing opportunities for interaction with scholars outside of the home institution, and to raise the profile of Chinese art and architectural history and the visual cultures of global and diasporic Chinas more generally.
This grant program will allow a faculty member to invite one guest speaker (art historian, artist, museum or cultural sector professional) to deliver a virtual lecture. The lecture should be made available to the faculty member’s home department and institution, ACAH members, and the general public. The grant is intended to cover the speaker’s honorarium. Faculty applicants must be current ACAH members; guest speakers are not required to be ACAH members. Funds will be paid directly to the guest speaker and the payment request must be submitted within 30 days after the event and not later than 60 days with a final deadline of June 15, 2026 (whichever comes first). The grant recipient will be asked to credit ACAH and Bei Shan Tang Foundation support in the publicity for the lecture, and will be asked to submit a brief report after completion of the programs.
To apply, please submit the following in one pdf file to achinesearthistory@gmail.com by November 3, 2025:
- Proposal (500 words maximum) that explains (1) 2-3 potential guest speakers and topics (expressions of interest may be sought, but please do not issue speaker invitations at this point), and (2) how the guest speaker’s area of expertise will enhance the teaching and/or research of the faculty applicant and facilitate engagement with Chinese art and architectural history and the visual cultures of global and diasporic Chinas at the faculty applicant’s home institution.
- ACAH will publicize the virtual lecture through the member listserv. In addition to this, how will the faculty applicant publicize the event?
- Faculty applicant’s CV.
Present ACAH board members should not be considered as potential guest speakers. Only one ACAH funding opportunity will be granted to applicants in the same academic year. Applicants may not receive funding from the same ACAH funding opportunity in consecutive years.
Notification will be made by December 12, 2025.
