Apply for a CIMAM Travel Grant: International Open Call

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CIMAM 2025 Annual Conference in Turin. © Giorgio Perottino

CIMAM, the International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art, invites curators, researchers, and museum professionals working in modern and contemporary art museums to apply for a Travel Grant to attend the 58th CIMAM Annual Conference, taking place in Harare, Zimbabwe, from November 20–22, 2026.

Under the theme Museums Beyond Limits: Imagining Repair Across Cultures, Ecologies and Knowledges, the 2026 conference will mark a historic milestone, as CIMAM will hold its Annual Conference in Zimbabwe for the first time on the African continent.

The CIMAM Travel Grant Program, established in 2005, supports professional development, international visibility, and representation of directors, curators, and museum professionals from countries with emerging and developing economies (Groups C, D, and E) by enabling their participation in the conference.

Over the past two decades, the program has supported over 400 professionals worldwide in connecting, exchanging knowledge, and engaging in global museum debates. The Getty Foundation has been the Lead Sponsor of the CIMAM Travel Grant Program since the foundation of this program in 2005.

This is a unique opportunity to join CIMAM’s international network and take part in a landmark conference in Africa!

CIMAM is deeply grateful to its Travel Grant Funders — individuals and organizations whose generous support makes it possible for modern and contemporary art professionals to participate in CIMAM’s Annual Conference:

→ The deadline to apply is Monday, 4 May 2026, at 8:00 am (CEST).

Read the list of eligible countries and admission criteria before submitting your application.

1) Eligibility Criteria: Who can apply?

Professional Profile: CIMAM Travel Grants are addressed to modern and contemporary art museum directors and curators in need of financial help to attend CIMAM’s Annual Conference. Researchers and independent curators whose field of research and specialization is contemporary art theory, collections, and museums, and whose field of professional activity is related to the functions of an art museum, are also eligible.

Applicants should not be involved in any kind of commercial or for-profit activity, not dealing (i.e., buying and selling for profit) in the field of visual arts and cultural property, nor be structurally engaged by a commercial art gallery or a company that produces or sells products to museums.

While professionals of all career levels are encouraged to apply, priority is given to junior directors and curators (with less than 10 years of experience).

Professionals who have previously received a CIMAM Travel Grant may only be considered for a new grant after 3 full years since the previous grant was awarded.

Country of Residence: CIMAM’s eligibility criteria follow ICOM’s membership structure, which is based on each country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita by Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). Therefore, applicants for travel grants must reside in countries with emerging or developing economies, corresponding to Groups C, D, and E in this list according to ICOM’s classification.

  • Getty Foundation supports professionals residing in emerging and developing economies in groups C, D, and E. Grant funds may not be used to support registration fees and other expenses not ordinarily incident to travel for Getty-sponsored participants who are Iranian or North Korean nationals, those from the Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, or those affiliated with the governments of Russia or Venezuela. At this time, Getty funds may be used to support Cuban nationals under select circumstances. Restrictions apply. Getty funds cannot be used in violation of any other applicable economic sanctions or export controls laws and regulations.
  • Instituto Cáder de Arte Centroamericano (ICAC) - through a fellowship granted by Fundación Museo Reina Sofía - supports professionals residing in Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua) or members of their diasporas (residing in countries with emerging and developing economies in Groups C, D, E).
  • Colección Patricia Phelps de Cisneros (CPPC) supports professionals residing in the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, or members of their diasporas (residing in countries with emerging and developing economies in Groups C, D, E).
  • Guimarães Rosa Institute supports Brazilian professionals residing in Brazil.
  • Eloisa Haudenschild, supports professionals residing in emerging and developing economies in Groups C, D, and E.
  • Aimée Labarrere de Servitje supports professionals residing in Mexico.
  • Cav. Simon Mordant AO and Catriona Mordant AM, support First Nations professionals residing in countries with emerging and developing economies in Groups C, D, and E.
  • Saastamoinen Foundation supports professionals residing in emerging and developing economies in Groups C, D, and E, with a particular emphasis on the African region.
  • Mercedes Vilardell supports professionals residing on the African continent and professionals residing in Palestine.
  • Fernando Zobel de Ayala supports professionals residing in the Philippines.

2) Application Process:

Applications must be submitted in English through the online application platform provided. Applications received after the deadline or incomplete applications will not be considered.

To apply, professionals will be required to submit the following information:

  • Short bio or résumé (not a CV).
  • Motivation statement.
  • List of exhibitions and publications produced in the last 5 years.
  • Two letters or email messages of recommendation in support of the candidates*. They should be issued by museum professionals or scholars who are familiar with their work and/or qualifications. Applications and recommendation letters should be written in English.
  • Candidates should check, before submitting a grant application, whether they are required to obtain a visa to enter the country where the CIMAM Annual Conference takes place, ensure they are eligible to obtain the visa and that the process is feasible, and verify any other entry requirements, including vaccinations, health certificates, travel insurance, and any additional documentation required for entry into or exit from the country. IMPORTANT: your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date; have at least 3 blank pages for entry stamps; be in good condition with no damage to the cover, binding, or pages.

*No need to submit letters for current CIMAM Members (2026-28); they can provide only the names and contact details of 2 referees. The two referees must have been previously informed and made aware of this recommendation.

3) Selection Process:

Travel Grant applications are evaluated by CIMAM’s Travel Grants Committee, composed of eight members of the CIMAM Board.

Travel Grants are awarded based on the committee’s assessment of the applicant’s genuine financial need, potential benefit to their professional development or research, and the relevance of their professional experience to the objectives of CIMAM.

Eligibility is determined based on the country of residence rather than nationality. The CIMAM Travel Grants Committee is committed to ensuring a fair and non-discriminatory selection process, providing equal opportunities to all applicants regardless of race, gender, religion, or other personal characteristics.

4) Benefits for Awarded Professionals:

  • Participation in the three-day CIMAM Annual Conference (see what the grant covers below), supporting their professional development, curatorial research, knowledge sharing, and collaborations through engagement with an international community of modern and contemporary art museum professionals.
  • Unique networking opportunities, participating in the conference discussions and breakout sessions with international curators, museum directors, and peers during the three conference days.
  • CIMAM Membership for the term corresponding to the award (2026–2028), with full access to CIMAM’s membership network, programs, calls, and initiatives.

The grant will cover the following:

  • Registration Fee for the Annual Conference, which includes access to all conference sessions, lunches, dinners, refreshment breaks, access to organized visits, and coach service to and from planned visits during the conference days.
  • Travel expenses (train, bus, or round-trip economy flight ticket).
  • Four-night accommodation in one of the hotels recommended by CIMAM.
  • CIMAM membership for the period awarded (2026-28).

The distribution of funds is set on a case-by-case basis for each recipient.

CIMAM books and pre-pays all expenses directly (travel and accommodation) avoiding reimbursements to any grantee to facilitate accountability and tracking of the funds that CIMAM is accountable for.

Extended program for Getty Foundation Awardees:

  • For the second consecutive year, CIMAM is offering an extended program for Travel Grant recipients supported by the Getty Foundation, made possible through its generous support.
  • Early arrival: Getty-supported grantees will be invited to arrive one day earlier in the conference host city.
  • Additional benefits: The program includes one extra night of accommodation, dinner on the first evening, and per diems for the following day.
  • Program activities: The additional day allows time for guided visits, time zone acclimation, and informal exchanges with fellow participants.
  • Program purpose: This initiative aims to enrich the conference experience, encouraging deeper networking and providing opportunities to discover the museums, galleries, and cultural highlights of the host city.

The grant will not cover, unless specified in the award terms and conditions:

  • Post-Conference Tour. Registration fee, and expenses related to the pre and/or post-conference tours.
  • Transportation to/from the airport.
  • Travel insurance and visa arrangements. Selected candidates are responsible for arranging their own travel insurance, visa expenses, vaccinations, and any other documentation required for entry into or exit from the country (IMPORTANT: your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date; have at least 3 blank pages for entry stamps; be in good condition with no damage to the cover, binding, or pages).
  • CIMAM will provide support during the visa application process when needed, except for the related expenses.
  • Any additional expenses such as mini-bar items, room service, telephone, etc.
  • Neither CIMAM nor the Travel Grant Funder can be held responsible for visa application outcomes, personal accidents, losses, lost flights, or damage to the private property of any candidates.

5) Commitments for Travel Grant Awardees:

Travel Grant recipients are expected to actively engage with CIMAM and contribute to strengthening its international professional community. Awardees are required to:

  • Submit a short report after the conference, within the deadline set by CIMAM, reflecting on their experience and the benefits of attending the conference.
  • During the conference, travel grantees may be invited to moderate a breakout session or support in summarizing a discussion, voluntarily.
  • Act as CIMAM Ambassadors, promoting the network and its activities within their professional communities and regions.
  • Support new applicants by acting as referees for professionals wishing to join CIMAM and encouraging colleagues to apply to the Travel Grant Program and attend the CIMAM Annual Conference.
  • Participate in CIMAM programs and activities throughout the year, including Rapid Response Webinars and CIMAM Connects sessions when possible.
  • Contribute to the Outstanding Museum Practice Award (OMPA) by identifying and nominating notable museum practices in their region.

These contributions help strengthen the international community of professionals committed to advancing best practices in modern and contemporary art museums.

6) Timeline:

CIMAM will follow the proposed calendar below, although some dates may be slightly adjusted:

  • Open Call for Applications: 24 March – 4 May 2026
  • Evaluation & Selection Process: 4 – 28 May 2026
  • Notification to selected candidates: 8 – 12 June 2026
  • Travel Arrangements: 15 June – 15 July 2026
  • Public Announcement of Beneficiaries: 1 – 15 September 2026
  • Submission of Final Report: 6 December 2026

Should you have any questions about your grant application or membership status please email us before submitting your application to: travelgrants@cimam.org

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