Applications are now open for MAP Academy & Nalli Fellowships 2025-27, South Asian textiles form a crucial part of local as well as global histories. The MAP Academy & Nalli Fellowships will support South Asia-based projects that generate new interest in the region’s textile practices among diverse audiences. The Fellowships combine Nalli Silks’ focus area of textile production and design, with the MAP Academy’s vision of fostering incisive research in the study of art histories from South Asia.
Interested candidates are encouraged to carefully review the fellowship opportunity and submit their applications before the specified deadline.
Last Date of Application: 15th October 2025
The MAP Academy & Nalli Fellowship (2025-27)
(Applications are now open for MAP Academy & Nalli Fellowships 2025-27)
After completing a successful first cycle in 2024-25, the second and third cycle of the MAP Academy & Nalli Fellowship programme will open to new applicants in August 2025. A total of four Fellowships will be awarded, each carrying a one-time grant of INR 5,50,000.
This Fellowship programme is a collaboration between Nalli Silks, the heritage textile brand, and the MAP Academy, a platform encouraging greater and more equitable engagement with South Asia’s art and cultural histories.
About the Fellowship
(Applications are now open for MAP Academy & Nalli Fellowships 2025-27)
Process & Funding Cycles
The application process will go live in August 2025, and close in October 2025.
Two fellows will be chosen for the Second Cycle and will be expected to complete their research project between February 2026-January 2027. Funds will be released in February 2026.
Two more fellows will be chosen for the Third Cycle, with the project’s timeline extending from April 2026-March 2027. Funds will be released in April 2026.
Areas of Focus
The Fellowship programme supports research into under-explored textile-related histories, practices, and traditions across South Asia. Applicants may propose projects on any textile-centric subject. The following areas of research are encouraged:
- Histories of clothing and costume
- Community or personal textile archives
- Textiles in religious or liturgical contexts
- Environmental impact of textile production and consumption
- Endangered or disappearing textile traditions
- Critical perspectives on revivalism
- Labour in textile production, with a focus on caste, class, and gender
- Textiles in relation to other cultural forms—storytelling, poetry, music, architecture, and material culture
- Textiles in the context of archaeological study
- Textiles as symbols or metaphors in literature or mythology
- Techniques and tools used in specific textile traditions
Eligibility
(Applications are now open for MAP Academy & Nalli Fellowships 2025-27)
The Fellowship is open to early- and mid-career professionals. We invite applications from researchers as well as designers, archivists, journalists, writers, educators, practitioners, and also collectives and non-profit organisations.
Supported Project Formats
(Applications are now open for MAP Academy & Nalli Fellowships 2025-27)
The Fellowship supports a range of formats for research outcomes, including but not limited to:
- Journalistic inquiry
- Documentary film
- Archive activation
- Practice-based research
- Archive generation
- Digitisation and documentation initiatives
Expected Outcomes
(Applications are now open for MAP Academy & Nalli Fellowships 2025-27)
The grant must be used to support one year of research, which may be part of a longer-term project. At the end of the Fellowship period, the following deliverables are required:
Research Dossier — Drafted by the Fellow, and co-developed in collaboration with the MAP Academy. This document will present key questions and findings related to the research process and subject. It will be hosted on the MAP Academy’s website.
Project Report — A comprehensive report written by the Fellow, submitted at the end of the grant period.
Project Outputs — A set of final works developed through the Fellowship. These may include:
Audio-Visual: Interviews or short films
Visual Essays: Photographic or process-based documentation
Written Pieces: Essays, features, or interviews
Curatorial Work: Exhibition or digital curation
Collaborative work is permitted, and Fellows must credit co-creators and contributors, and mention them in their application.
Selection Process and Announcement
- The application review process will begin only after the application process has closed. Applications will be assessed based on the strength of their responses in the application form, which will also double as the project proposal.
- Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed via an online video call, after which a final selection will be made.
- The jury will be announced soon.
- Final awardees will be informed via email, and public announcements will be made through MAP Academy’s social media channels.
How to apply?
The application form is structured to serve as a comprehensive project proposal. Applications are open till 15th of October 2025.
The application form is designed to help the reviewing committee understand the focus and stakes of your project. Certain sections require you to upload a document. Precise instructions and templates are provided in the relevant sections.
Please respond to each section. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please contact fellowships@map-india.org if you have any technical difficulties with this form.
Apply below for The MAP Academy x Nalli Fellowships Application (2025-27)
Learn more about the Fellowship Program
No more Google search, join our Whats App Channel and get alerts as soon as we publish a post.
Hey, STEAL our Best Premium Content For Absolutely Free, Check Out the Links below
HOPE these will add value to your existing skills and knowledge.
Our information bears no cost (it’s absolutely FREE), don’t let valuable information slip away.
Join our community of avid readers who are always in the know. Subscribe to our website; stay connected and engaged with the latest news, trends, and developments by subscribing today.
(PUSH the bell ICON)
Leverage the power of knowledge to propel your organization to new heights. Don’t miss out – explore our content
- Latest Funds for NGOs,
- NGO Jobs
- Resources (Helpful Guides and Courses)
- Premium Resources
- NGO related articles
NGO Grants, NGO Jobs, NGO Resources & Nonprofit Fellowships – Empowering Your Mission (ngoscope.com)
Sharing is appreciated
