Curatorial Research Fellowship, London, UK

About the Open Call

In partnership, the Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT), the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), and the Alkazi Foundation for the Arts (AFA), collectively announce the second visiting Curatorial Research Fellowship. The Fellowship will be based in the V&A’s Photography Section at South Kensington in London lasting 3-6 months. We invite proposals from mid-career cultural producers between the ages of 25 and 45 years including artists, scholars, writers/editors and curators, working independently or affiliated to art institutions. The Fellowship will enable the recipient to conduct research at the Museum, as well as assist in the Photography Section’s ongoing projects. We look forward to receiving proposals for research relating to the V&A’s photography collections as well as details about existing curatorial interests of the applicants. The proposal should clearly outline the aims of the project and the intended outcomes - for instance, an exhibition or a publication. We encourage a research-led approach relating to a broad range of photographic cultures, exhibition histories, and art histories. A link to the V&A collections should be clearly articulated (500 words). The proposal must present realistic objectives within a timeframe of up to 6 months, and no less than 3 months. The project proposal should be submitted in English. The project should express the ways in which the Fellow will enhance their practice and also express the pedagogical or practice-oriented inclinations of the project as a whole. Diversity and dynamism are keywords. The applicants should be able to demonstrate existing knowledge (photography history, contemporary lens-based practice, etc.) and the ability to carry out the project successfully. This Fellowship is for Indian citizens who are domiciled in India. The Fellowship will commence in April 2026. Although there is no specific timeline and the research can continue even after the duration of the Fellowship, the applicant is expected to submit an article about the research, which may be published on the AFA/CWIT/V&A website within three months of returning to India. The Fellowship can be used towards travel (economy class), along with accommodation/meals/local travel. These will be the responsibility of the applicant upon receiving the Fellowship. All organisations will promote the published work through their own marketing and distribution network. If required, the Alkazi Foundation can connect Fellowship recipients to its network of editors, etc., to support the process of producing the article. Projects in the following categories are not eligible for the Curatorial Fellowship: Proposals for exhibition catalogues or monographs associated with another institution or commercial space. Projects where funding is intended to cover infrastructure and equipment costs as well as the costs of operating cultural facilities, archives, and collections. Copyright to all aesthetic and intellectual content will remain with the applicant. The sources need to be credited. The organisers reserve the right to publish the article first. Primary publishing rights should be shared with AFA/CWIT/V&A. Any second or new editions and rights to republish should be discussed. Rights will not be unreasonably withheld.

What is Offered

The Fellowship can be used towards travel (economy class), along with accommodation/meals/local travel. All organisations will promote the published work through their own marketing and distribution network. If required, the Alkazi Foundation can connect Fellowship recipients to its network of editors, etc., to support the process of producing the article.

Requirements

Applicants must be mid-career cultural producers between 25 and 45 years old, Indian citizens domiciled in India. Proposals (500 words) must outline project aims, intended outcomes (exhibition/publication), relate to V&A collections, present realistic objectives (3-6 months), be in English, demonstrate enhanced practice, and show existing knowledge in photography. Projects for exhibition catalogues, monographs for other institutions, or covering infrastructure/equipment costs are not eligible.

How to Apply

Applications/Proposals (500 words) must be submitted in a PDF format to alkazifoundation01@gmail.com, accompanied by an up-to-date CV.