Sigg Fellowship Program for Chinese Art Research in Kenya

The M+ Museum (Hong Kong) offers the Sigg Fellowship for Chinese Art Research 2026/27 to support new research on Chinese art in dialogue with the M+ Collections. The fellowship provides HKD 200,000 to cover eligible expenses and supports a research attachment to M+ for three to six months. The application deadline is 30 November 2026, 11:59pm (UTC +8). Opportunity at a Glance

- Funder/Host: M+ Museum (M+)

- Opportunity name: Sigg Fellowship for Chinese Art Research 2026/27

- Type: Research fellowship attached to M+

- Grant amount: HKD 200,000 (to cover all expenses, including travel, living, insurance, and research-related costs)

- Fellowship attachment period: Three to six months

- Eligible applicants: Individuals or research groups of all nationalities (no age requirement)

- Research language requirement: Proficiency in spoken and written Chinese or English

- Deadline: 30 November 2026, 11:59pm (UTC +8)

- Application method: Digital submission via Google Form (proposal and CV), with letters of recommendation submitted directly by referees by email

About the Opportunity

The Sigg Fellowship for Chinese Art Research supports research on Chinese art that engages with the M+ Collections. For the 2026/27 edition, the fellowship focuses on strengthening academic connections between contemporary Chinese art practice and existing historical and theoretical narratives. The fellowship also provides fellows access to M+ research resources, including onsite and online access to the M+ Collections and consultation with library and archival materials. Funding and Benefits

- Total grant: HKD 200,000.

- What the grant covers: The source states it covers all expenses, including:

- travel - living - insurance - research-related costs

- M+ attachment period: The fellow is expected to be attached to M+ for three to six months.

- M+ research support and access (as stated): - access to M+ Collections onsite and online - access to library and archival materials - several internal presentations - participation in discussions with curators and other staff members - Expected public and publishing outputs (as stated): - a public lecture in Hong Kong - an essay for publication on M+ Magazine, in one of the following formats:

- Chinese: at least 7,500 characters, or

- English: at least 5,000 words

Who Is Eligible?

M+ welcomes applications from:

- Individuals or research groups of all nationalities - No age requirement is specified

Key eligibility requirements include:

- Degree requirement:

- a postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline, or - an undergraduate degree plus at least three years of relevant professional work or academic research experience

- Language requirement: Proficiency in spoken and written Chinese or English

- Project eligibility:

- the fellowship proposal must be related to visual arts - it must be based on new research, or an expansion of earlier research that has not been previously published - the source states preference is given to entirely new research projects - Publishing priority requirement (mandatory): - the fellow must grant M+ exclusive priority to publish the research following completion of the project

- Visa requirement (conditional):

- the provision of the fellowship depends on whether the fellow can obtain a visa for Hong Kong Eligible Activities or Priority Areas The 2026/27 fellowship explores the relationship between the traditional and the contemporary in Chinese art practices since the 1980s, and re-examines artist agency, including the role of Chinese tradition in global art production and the art system. The source lists potential research directions, including (but not limited to): - the role of ink art and related aesthetics and practices within contemporary art - re-examination and re-contextualisation of relevant art-historical theories, terminologies, and discourses - connections and boundaries between art and craft (including materiality and craftsmanship in contemporary art making) - how Chinese art practice responds to the interplay between tradition and the contemporary, based on analysis of under-studied case studies and trends Why This Opportunity Matters This fellowship is designed for researchers who want to deepen scholarly understanding of contemporary Chinese art through engagement with both tradition and existing art-historical debates. By requiring a structured attachment to M+ and outputs including a public lecture and a published essay, the program supports research that connects museum collections, curatorial thinking, and public-facing knowledge-sharing. How to Apply - Prepare your application documents (in English or Chinese), including: - a research proposal (no more than 1,000 words) - a full curriculum vitae covering education, professional experience, honours, awards, and publications - Submit your proposal and CV via the official Google Form.

- Arrange two letters of recommendation:

- Two letters of recommendation (academic or professional) - Letters must be submitted directly by the referees to: [contact details removed] - Use the required email subject line format for referee letters: [M+ Sigg Fellowship 2026/27 Application] SURNAME, First name

- Meet the deadline: 30 November 2026, 11:59pm (UTC +8).

Additional information from the source:

- Shortlisted candidates might be invited to an in-person or remote interview. - Results are expected to be announced in early 2027 (timing details beyond this are not specified in the source). Application Tips or Common Mistakes - Ensure your proposal is clearly visual arts–related and grounded in new research or an expansion of previously unpublished work (preference is given to entirely new projects, but the source does not state this as a strict requirement). - Keep your research proposal within 1,000 words. - Confirm you meet the degree and language requirements before applying. - Plan for the Hong Kong visa dependency, since the fellowship provision depends on visa eligibility. Frequently Asked Q