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The Inception Grant 2026

Raw, honest voices — invited to apply.

FCEA's flagship annual grant supports contemporary South Asian artists aged 21–35 with no institutional backing — a cash award, plus a full year of structured support built to last long after the grant year closes.

Apply Now Check Eligibility
New for 2026–27

A full year of structured support.

Until now, the grant centred on a cash award — the concrete, immediate support that lets a young artist keep working through their most fragile year. That still sits at its heart. But this year, under our home at the Foundation for Contemporary & Emerging Art, we've redesigned everything around it: a cohort bond, and career infrastructure that lasts long after the grant year closes.

12
months of structured support per grantee, alongside the cash award.
I.
Cash Award
Immediate support that keeps a young artist working through their most fragile year.
II.
Statement Development
Commissioned writer/editor support — often the single biggest barrier for emerging artists.
III.
Critical Essay
A 1,500-word essay commissioned from an established writer — a lasting career asset.
IV.
Practice Film
A professionally produced 2-minute film documenting the grantee's work and process.
V.
Studio Visits & Cohort
Two curated studio visits with senior artists, plus a 3-day cohort programme of seminars, gallery meetings, and shows.
VI.
Travel Budget
₹20,000 for outstation studio visits and the cohort meeting, in one city.
Category Grants

Named grants, for the first time.

Alongside the general grant, named category grants join the programme — each with its own dedicated support in its medium.

Sculpture

Amar Nath Sehgal Inception Grant

Dedicated support for artists working in sculpture, in addition to the core grant benefits.

Photography

Delton Inception Grant

Dedicated support for artists working in photography, in addition to the core grant benefits.

Ceramics

Somany Ceramics Inception Grant

Dedicated support for artists working in ceramics, in addition to the core grant benefits.

All Other Mediums

General Inception Grant

Dedicated support for artists working in all other mediums — painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, digital art, and more.

Our Philosophy

A grant, not a contract.

We do not sign artists to contracts.
We do not hold rights to anything they make.

  • What they do next
  • Which gallery represents them
  • Which studio they move into
  • Which direction they take their practice

Is entirely theirs to decide.

Eligibility Criteria

Do you qualify?

2026 open call · now accepting
✓  You may apply if
  • ✓ Artist, aged 21–35
  • ✓ Working in a contemporary practice — painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, or mixed media
  • ✓ Not currently represented or supported by a gallery or institution
  • ✓ A citizen of an eligible country
Eligible countries
India Bangladesh Sri Lanka Nepal Bhutan Pakistan
✕  Not eligible this cycle
  • ✕ Illustration & design practice
  • ✕ AI-generated work
  • ✕ Video art
  • ✕ Artists already backed by a gallery or institution

Applications for the Inception Grant 2026 are open until 30 September 2026. Our curatorial team reviews every submission against FCEA's practice and values criteria.

Apply Now →
Grant Process

From open call to grantee.

01
Open Call
Applications open annually to South Asian contemporary artists aged 21–35 with no gallery or institutional support.
02
Internal Jury Review
Our curatorial team reviews all applications against FCEA's practice and values criteria.
03
Interviews with Shortlisted Artists
Shortlisted applicants participate in conversations with the jury to present their practice.
04
Call for Physical Works
As a second stage, selected artists are invited to send physical works for closer review by the jury.
05
Finalist Showcase
Finalists present work at a curated public exhibition attended by collectors, institutions, and critics.
06
External Jury Review
An independent jury of senior artists, curators, and practitioners makes the final selection.
07
Financial Aid & Ongoing Support
Grantees receive the cash award, mentorship, a solo showcase opportunity, and digital amplification.
Application Checklist

What you'll need to submit.

·
Artist Biography & Resume

Experience, education, exhibitions, and any awards or recognitions.

·
Proof of Identity & Age

Confirming citizenship of an eligible South Asian country and age between 21–35.

·
Statement of Purpose

A short statement on how the grant will benefit your practice.

·
Portfolio of Works

A broader portfolio showcasing the range of your practice — not limited to currently available works.

Our Fellows

Voices that matter.

Every cohort of the Inception Grant, gathered by year — the artists FCEA has backed across South Asia since 2021.

Cohort of 2021

Ready to apply?

Submit your application to the Inception Grant 2026 — our curatorial team reviews every submission against FCEA's practice and values criteria.

Start Your Application →