The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) is pleased to announce that it has opened the third application cycle of the Schrucker Fellowship for the Arts, which is dedicated to supporting contemporary Tibetan artists, writers, and filmmakers by offering them a platform to amplify their voices and contribute to global cultural discourse.
Applications will be accepted from Friday, September 18, 2026, through Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time (EDT). To submit your application and for detailed instructions on how to apply, please visit the Schrucker Fellowship for the Arts application page.
Tibetans are encouraged to apply for grants to support projects* focused on:
- Visual arts
- Creative writing
- Theater
- Film
* The Schrucker Fellowship for the Arts does not support workshops, exhibitions, app development, conference attendance, or academic research conducted as part of a degree program, including thesis or dissertation/PhD research.
Grant amount and eligibility
The fellowship will award a total grant amount of $20,000 in the 2026-2027 cycle. Individual projects can receive between $500 and $3,000 in funding.
Tibetans living in any country are eligible to apply. Tibetans working for organizations may apply on behalf of the organization, provided the applicant plays a central role in the implementation of the proposed project.
Non-Tibetans are not eligible to apply for grants from this fellowship.
About the Schrucker Fellowship for the Arts
The Schrucker Fellowship was inspired by a 2024 trip to Dharamsala with ICT, during which the Schroeder and Pucker families were introduced to a burgeoning community of contemporary Tibetan artists working across the creative fields of writing, filmmaking, theater, and visual arts. The fellowship was established to nurture and support this community and provide them with the resources they need to continue and advance their work.
“It’s quite spectacular to see what these grantees have created and realized in just the first year, and we’re thrilled to continue supporting this vibrant community of Tibetan creatives,” said members of both families.
Among the projects supported by the Schrucker Fellowship since its inception in 2024 are the screenplay development of Kunchok Rabten’s The Goldfish of Norbulingka, a film inspired by Tibetan stories and culture; pre-production of Lhakpa Tsering’s Phayul, a theater production exploring Tibet’s history and resistance following China’s occupation; and Khadhok Mural, a collaborative public-art project bringing Tibetan artists and their work into public spaces in Dharamsala and Delhi.
The Fellowship has also supported projects exploring Tibetan experiences across generations and in exile, such as the post-production of the short film, My Sweet Pala, directed by Tao Okamoto and produced by Dechen Kelden, which examines Tibetan immigration to the west through the lens of a father-daughter relationship.
Fellowship recipients have used the support to develop new works, strengthen projects already underway, and bring Tibetan stories to a wider audience, addressing themes including identity, memory, exile, womanhood, and resilience.
The Schrucker Fellowship is part of ICT’s Tibetan Empowerment Programs, which include the Tibetan Youth Leadership Program, the Washington Internship Program for Tibetan Americans, and the Rowell Fund for Tibet.
Grant selection, notification and reporting timeline
Application period: September 18 to October 25, 2026
Application deadline: October 25, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time (ET)
| October 25 | 2026-2027 application cycle deadline |
| November | Review and voting by Advisory Board |
| December | Notification of application status |
| Early January | First grant installment |
| Early July | Mid-year grant report due |
| July | Second grant installment |
| December | Final grant report due |
For questions, please contact [email protected].
The Schrucker Fellowship for the Arts is administered by the International Campaign for Tibet.