The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) is running its international cultural diplomacy program, ASEF LinkUp. This program aims to unite arts professionals and government officials from ASEM countries to explore innovative approaches to international cultural collaboration.

🌍 ASEF LinkUp Programme 2026 is a fully funded international cultural diplomacy program in Slovenia, open to applicants from ASEM partner countries.

10 Master’s Students at Universität Hamburg, Germany
Read more10 Master's Students at Universität Hamburg, Germany

🎭 The program brings together around 20 cultural professionals, artists, researchers, and government representatives from Asia and Europe to promote cross-cultural collaboration.

📅 Program Duration: 23–27 November 2026, with additional online and follow-up activities from October 2026 to February 2027.

Italian Government Scholarship for MSc and PhD Students
Read moreItalian Government Scholarship for MSc and PhD Students

💰 Financial Benefits include return economy airfare, visa fees, six nights of accommodation, daily allowance, meals during the in-person lab, and no registration fee.

🏛️ Program Phases: Online sessions (15 Oct–12 Nov 2026), in-person lab in Ljubljana, Slovenia (23–27 Nov), and post-program collaboration through the ASEF LinkUp Fieldbook (Dec 2026–Feb 2027).

🤝 Participants will engage in workshops, interactive discussions, site visits, group projects, and networking activities.

🌱 The 2026 edition focuses on sustainability, ethics, equity, international cultural relations, cultural diplomacy, and Asia-Europe cooperation.

👥 Eligible applicants include cultural practitioners, arts managers, curators, museum professionals, researchers, academics, heritage professionals, and leaders of cultural organizations or networks.

✅ Eligibility Requirements: Be 21 years or older, reside in an ASEM partner country, work in the cultural or arts sector, have at least five years of international experience, be proficient in English, and commit to all program phases.

📝 Application Process: Submit an online application through the official ASEF website. No application or registration fee is required.

⏰ Application Deadline: 27 August 2026. 

Scholarship Details

Offered byAsia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)
Duration23–27 November 2026
Scholarship coverageFully Funded
Eligible nationalityASEM partner countries
Award countrySlovenia
Last date to apply27 August 2026

Export to Sheets

Program Overview

  • Designation: Arts and Cultural Sector Participant  
  • Research Area/Focus: Sustainability, Ethics, Equity, International Cultural Relations, Asia-Europe Cultural Cooperation, Cross-sector Collaboration, Cultural Diplomacy, Community Building.  
  • Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia.  

Job Description/Activities

The program takes place in three phases:  

  1. Online Sessions: 5 online sessions (15 October – 12 November 2026).  
  2. In-Person Lab (Ljubljana, Slovenia): 23–27 November 2026. This phase involves workshops, interactive discussions, site visits, group projects, and networking.  
  3. Fieldbook & Community: December 2026 – February 2027. Participants collaborate on the ASEF LinkUp Fieldbook and engage with the ASEF cultural diplomacy network.  

Eligibility & Qualifications

Ideal candidates include cultural practitioners, arts managers, museum professionals, curators, researchers, academics, cultural organizations, arts networks, heritage professionals, and creative sector leaders. Applicants must meet the following criteria:  

  • Citizen of an ASEM partner country.  
  • At least 21 years old.  
  • Work in the arts or cultural sector.  
  • Possess a minimum of 5 years of international professional experience.  
  • Comfortable communicating in English.  
  • Committed to participating in all program phases.  

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit an online application via the official website. There is no application fee.  

  • Last Date to Apply: August 27, 2026  
Apply