2026 ADW Future Design Fellowship Enters Academic Review

The inaugural 2026 ADW Future Design Fellowship open call closed on May 31, 2026. Preliminary figures indicate that the Program received more than 80 eligible applications from 13 countries and regions.

Submissions meeting the basic eligibility and submission requirements will now proceed to academic review. The 2026 review and interview period runs from June 1 to June 30 and includes eligibility screening, expert assessment, online interviews where necessary, and committee deliberation.

The inaugural Fellowship Review Committee brings together members of ADW’s academic and professional network. The committee and reviewer profiles are available on the Program website.

Review Committee: www.adwfellowship.com/people

Review Considerations

· Originality and clarity of the research question

· Quality and appropriateness of the research methodology

· The applicant’s prior research or creative work

· The necessity and depth of the interdisciplinary approach

· Feasibility of the proposed work plan

· Potential scholarly, design, cultural, technological, environmental, or public contribution

· Alignment between the proposed research environment and the project

Asia Design Week thanks all applicants for their interest in the 2026 Fellowship and for contributing to the wider discussion of design-led interdisciplinary research.

Selection notifications are expected to be issued individually by email beginning July 10, 2026.

Follow the 2026 Fellowship: www.adwfellowship.com/2026-fellowship

About the ADW Future Design Scholars Program

Launched by the Asia Design Week Committee in 2026, the ADW Future Design Scholars Program supports design-led interdisciplinary research, international academic exchange, and the development of a global scholars network.

Its core annual funding initiative, the ADW Future Design Fellowship, provides external research support and academic exchange opportunities for independent research that demonstrates originality, interdisciplinary value, and a future-oriented perspective. Selected recipients become ADW Future Design Scholars.

More Information

Program website: www.adwfellowship.com

2026 Fellowship: www.adwfellowship.com/2026-fellowship

Annual theme and research areas: www.adwfellowship.com/research-areas

Contact: official@asia-design-week.com

About Asia Design Week

Asia Design Week (ADW; Registration No. 76077932) is an international design organization and cultural exchange platform established and operated by the Asia Design Week Committee. Serving design communities across Asia and around the world, ADW advances design innovation, cross-cultural exchange, and sustainable social impact through thematic exhibitions, professional awards, research initiatives, publications, educational programs, and international partnerships.

ADW operates through its offices and regional collaborative networks across Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, and Seoul, connecting designers, scholars, educational institutions, and industry partners across Asia and beyond.

Asia Design Week website: www.asia-design-week.com