The scholarship cycle for designers is going through a lot of changes right now, as of April 26, 2026. Many general university deadlines for Fall 2026 have passed, but there are still a few prestigious scholarships for creative people, master’s funding, and design fellowships that focus on AI that you can apply for.
Here are the main funding opportunities for designers that are currently open for the 2026/27 cycle.
1. India Adobe Fellowship for AI Research
For people who design and research things that are in the middle of human-computer interaction (HCI) and artificial intelligence.
- The prize is a stipend of ₹1,200,000 (about $14,400 USD) and one year of free access to Adobe Creative Cloud and Firefly credits.
- Status Right Now: Applications Are Open.
- The deadline is April 30, 2026, which is only four days away!
- Requirement: You must be a full-time PhD student in India who is interested in generative models, HCI, or AI-driven design tools.
- Benefit: You get to work with Adobe researchers and get recognition in the global AI design community.
2. Scholarships for ACM Masters (Accademia Costume & Moda)
One of the best fashion and accessory design schools in Italy, with special grants for their campuses in Rome and Milan.
- The Prize: 27 scholarships for different master’s programmes.
- Current Status: Round 2 is now open.
- Due date: May 15, 2026.
- Fashion Communication, Art Direction, Fashion Styling, and Creative Knitwear Design are some of the programmes that can be used.
- Selection: Based on a professional portfolio, resume, and letter of motivation, followed by an interview.
3. The Lettering Seminar Grant
For graphic designers and illustrators who work with typography and professional lettering.
- The prize is a full tuition waiver for the “Lettering Seminar” professional programme.
- 2026 Cycle Update: The main scholarship portal closed in February, but enrolment for the next Autumn 2026 cohort usually starts with a “Community Grant” window opening in August 2026.
- You need to show that you are committed to the art of lettering and that you need the money.
4. Design Academy Eindhoven (DAE) – Fall and Exchange Programmes
DAE is very competitive, but they are still working out the details of their exchange and specialised “studio” placements for 2026.
- The Award: DAE doesn’t give out direct institutional scholarships for exchange, but they do help EU students get Erasmus+ grants to study in the US.
- For the Fall 2026 exchange, the deadline is May 1, 2026.
- Selection: Only based on the quality of your digital portfolio and a letter of motivation.
- Strategy: The “Scholarship for Excellence” application window usually opens in October 2026 for the September 2027 intake.
5. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) – Help from other countries
RISD is one of the few top US design schools that gives international students financial aid.
- The award ranges from partial merit scholarships to large amounts of need-based help.
- Current Status: Applications for Fall 2026 are being looked at. International students must turn in their CSS Profile by November 1, 2026, for the Spring 2027 intake.
- Focus: RISD awards are based on a combination of financial need and the artistic talent shown in the “RISD Portfolio”.
6. Important Strategy for Designers in 2026
To get a design scholarship this year, your “visual narrative” needs to be more than just pretty:
- The “Firefly” Factor: In 2026, a lot of design scholarships (like Adobe’s) will be looking for people who can show how they use generative AI in a creative and responsible way in their work.
- Portfolio Accessibility: Make sure your portfolio is hosted on a fast platform, like Behance, Adobe Portfolio, or your own domain. Don’t send links that are password-protected unless someone asks for them. This can slow down the review process.
- Sustainability and Impact: Many programmes in Europe, such as those in Italy and the Netherlands, are putting a lot of emphasis on “fashion sustainability” and “circular design”. Put your eco-friendly projects at the front of your portfolio if you have any.
- The Recommendation Letter: For the ACM and RISD scholarships, a letter from a design professional or an art director is often more important than a letter from a regular academic teacher.
7. A summary of important deadlines (April/June 2026)
- The Adobe India AI Research Fellowship ends on April 30, 2026.
- The deadline for ACM master scholarships in Italy is May 15, 2026.
- Temple University Creative Scholars (Early): May 15, 2026.
- Exchange at Design Academy Eindhoven: May 1, 2026.
- Winners of the One Show Awards (Creative Week) will be announced on May 15, 2026.