Future Design Studies
Design theory, history, criticism, methods, education, and emerging research frameworks.
An inaugural fellowship for the next generation of design scholarship.
The ADW Future Design Scholars Program supports emerging scholars, postdoctoral researchers, and interdisciplinary practitioners whose work explores the future of design and its long-term value for technology, culture, society, and sustainable development.
A scholar-support initiative connecting design research, creative practice, cultural exchange, and public knowledge.
Asia Design Week is pleased to announce the launch of the ADW Future Design Scholars Program, an international scholar initiative established to support emerging researchers and interdisciplinary practitioners working across future-oriented design research.
As the inaugural award under this program, the 2026 ADW Future Design Fellowship will select one to two scholars through an open application and review process. The Fellowship supports independent academic research conducted at a recognized university, research institute, laboratory, or academic host organization.
The program encourages original and internationally relevant research projects that advance design knowledge, design methods, creative technologies, sustainable innovation, cultural exchange, and positive societal impact.
Learn more about the open call2026 Cycle - Key Dates
Application Period
March 1 - May 31, 2026
Review Period
June 1 - June 14, 2026
Admission Notice
Late June 2026
Support Confirmation
Following final award terms
Fellowship Start
From September 1, 2026
Research Scope
The program welcomes future-oriented design research, design intelligence, human-AI co-creation, cultural creativity, sustainable innovation, and public-facing design impact.
Design Intelligence and Human-AI Co-Creation
Human-AI collaboration, design reasoning, creative computing, and intelligent design tools.
Creative Technology and Experience Systems
Interaction, spatial computing, media art, digital culture, and experience design.
Sustainable Design and Social Impact
Sustainable systems, public design, community innovation, and social transformation.
Cross-Cultural Design and Cultural Creativity
Cultural knowledge, creative industries, communication, and international exchange.
Research Prototypes and Public Knowledge
Research-driven prototypes, exhibitions, public scholarship, and knowledge visualization.
Program Standards
The 2026 cycle is structured around published criteria, independent scholarship, conflict-aware review, and host-institution alignment.
Published Criteria
Selection criteria and review weights are published for applicants before submission.
Independent Scholarship
Scholars retain academic responsibility for their research and freedom to publish through their host environment.
Review Safeguards
Expert review includes conflict-of-interest disclosure before final deliberation.
Host Alignment
Award administration remains subject to host policies, legal requirements, and final award terms.
Program Mission
The program values academic research, design methods, creative experiments, research prototypes, public knowledge production, and educational contributions that can be examined, communicated, and further developed in real-world contexts.
Selected scholars may receive support to advance independent research at a recognized university, research institution, laboratory, or academic host organization, subject to host institution policies, applicable laws, administrative review, and final award terms.