Applications Open: 18th August–15th October 2025

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. 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.

After completing a successful first cycle in 2024-25, the next cycle of the MAP Academy & Nalli Fellowship programme is 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.

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.

Eligibility

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. The Fellowship will fund four research projects that inquire into textiles from the South Asia region — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Tibet, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Supported Project Formats

The Fellowship supports a range of formats for research outcomes, including but not limited to: