The Network of Arab Alternative Screens (NAAS) has officially opened applications for the 2025–2026 NAAS Research & Curatorial Fellowship—a transformative 9 to 10-month program tailored for cultural practitioners, researchers, and curators from the Arabic-speaking world and its diasporas.
Scheduled to run from November 2025 to July 2026, the fellowship is an invitation to explore and challenge the dominant narratives in cinema, media, and visual culture. Participants are encouraged to pursue projects that unveil marginalized histories, resurface overlooked archives, and reimagine curatorial practices in innovative and community-centered ways.
The fellowship is designed not only as a space for research but also for public engagement. Fellows will be expected to produce a public-facing outcome from their research, which could take the form of publications, exhibitions, screenings, digital projects, or other creative formats. A particular emphasis is placed on projects that foster experimentation and broaden participation within the cultural field.
NAAS Program Benefits:
- A stipend to support your research and practice.
- Access to mentorship and peer feedback from experienced scholars and curators.
- Monthly virtual seminars to facilitate critical discussions and idea exchange.
- Two in-person colloquiums that offer opportunities for deeper collaboration and presentation.
- A chance to publish your research in Malaffat, NAAS’s publication platform.
- Platforms to showcase interim and final outcomes to a wider audience.
Who Should Apply?
NAAS welcomes applications from individuals, duos, or collectives whose work critically engages with the themes of the fellowship. Eligible applicants include:
- Researchers
- Curators
- Writers
- Programmers
- Cultural organizers
- Academics
The fellowship is ideal for those eager to challenge established canons, uncover hidden cultural narratives, and experiment with new forms of curatorial storytelling.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the NAAS Research & Curatorial Fellowship 2025–2026 is August 22, 2025.