India Art Fair (IAF) and Saat Saath Arts (SSA) are delighted to announce the SSA-IAF Curatorial Research Grant 2025–2026. The grant is a new initiative that invites one curator annually for a fully funded research visit to India. Conceived by SSA in partnership with IAF, this exciting opportunity is designed for curators who are at a pivotal moment in their practice, where critical exposure to new contexts, access to diverse artists and institutions, and time for immersive fieldwork can help seed future collaborations, exhibitions, or texts.

It is a research-driven curatorial engagement, carefully structured to deepen transnational dialogue and long-term connectivity between Indian and international contemporary art ecosystems.

WHAT THE GRANT PROVIDES

• Roundtrip airfare
• Domestic travel and ground transport within India
• Accommodation during the research period
• A curated itinerary of artist studio visits, institutional meetings, and access to India Art Fair, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, and other key exhibitions
• Opportunities for both public and closed-door conversations with peers

The program culminates in a public online presentation and requires the development of a longer-term curatorial project, whether an exhibition, publication, or public art project.

JURY

Applications will be reviewed by a distinguished international jury including:

• Kamini Sawhney Independent Curator; Head, Public Arts Projects, BlrHubba; Board Member, CIMAM
• Sandhini Poddar Independent Curator & Art Historian; Adjunct Curator-at-Large, Guggenheim, Abu Dhabi
• Dhyandra Lawson Andy Song Associate Curator, Contemporary Art, LACMA
• Nawar Al Qassimi Vice President, Sharjah Art Foundation
• Jitish Kallat Contemporary Artist; Curator, Kochi Muziris-Biennale 2014

Shortlisted candidates may be invited for a virtual interview in September 2025. Grantees will be announced by early October 2025. Selected grantees will travel to India in February 2026.

ELIGIBILITY

This opportunity is open to curators who:

• Are based and professionally active outside India
• Have a minimum of 8 years of curatorial experience
• Have curated at least one institutional exhibition
• Can demonstrate a strong track record of research, writing, or programming

APPLICATION MATERIALS

You will be asked to upload a single PDF (max 10MB) containing:

• Statement of Intent (300 words)
• Research Proposal (1 page)
• Proposal for a Future Project/Collaboration (1 page)
• CV

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage those working with underrepresented regions, artists, and methodologies to apply.

To submit your application, please find the form link here.