Call for Applications: FUSED – French-U.S. Exchange in Dance 2026 

I. Touring Grants
This grant supports tours, series, or large-scale presentations of productions. Funding is offered to French productions in the U.S. and U.S. productions participating in major international festivals in France. 

• A tour must include at least two different U.S. venues that are financially involved. 
• A series consists of either a minimum of seven consecutive performances or multiple thematically focused works by the same choreographer, all presented at the same U.S. venue. 
• A large-scale production must involve a minimum of 10 performers on stage. It may be considered for funding even if presented by a single U.S. presenter. 

II. Creative Grants

This grant supports the development of French-American contemporary dance productions, including: 

• Productions resulting from a collaboration between a U.S.-based company and a France-based choreographer. 
• Productions resulting from a collaboration between a France-based company and a U.S.-based choreographer. 
• Dance residencies involving an artist from France and from the U.S. 

Please note that French or France-based artists seeking an exploratory/research residency in the United States are encouraged to apply to the 2027 Villa Albertine residency program.

I. For Both Grants 

Applicants must demonstrate a clear artistic and financial commitment towards the project. 

Only nonprofit organizations are eligible. Individual artists are not eligible to apply.   

• U.S. applicants must demonstrate their 501(c)(3) status granted by the IRS. 
• French organizations must provide proof of nonprofit status. 

Projects must involve active collaboration between artists and organizations from both countries: 

• American applicants must present a project that involves France-based artists or a performance that is co-produced by a major French cultural institution. 
• French applicants must present a project that involves a U.S.-based choreographer (for touring grants) or a collaboration between U.S. – and France-based artists (including a light designer, a sound engineer, or a dramaturge) (for creative grants). 

 Projects must take place between May 1, 2026 and August 31, 2027.  

II. Artistic Criteria

• Grants support contemporary and innovative projects.  
• Priority will be given to projects that involve artists whose works have rarely been presented in the partner country. 
• Projects should involve artists whose works reflect the diversity of the French and/or U.S. contemporary artistic scene. 

III. For Touring Grants

• Priority will be given to projects presented sequentially at a minimum of two distinct venues within the United States. The application must include a signed letter of commitment from each collaborating partner. For a series or large-scale production, applications can be considered for a single venue. 

Creative and Touring Grants support up to 50% of project costs, covering expenses such as housing, per diem, travel, visa fees, and equipment rentals related to the production, with the following limits:  

• $20,000 maximum for Creative Grants
• $15,000 maximum for Touring Grants  

Grants cannot cover the presenting organization’s operational and front-of-the-house expenses.  

Grants cannot support publications, the production or presentation of dance films, or teaching residences. 

The budget must include artist fees.  

• The application platform opens on December 1, 2025, and closes on January 30, 2026.  
• The application consists of narrative questions and supplemental materials, including artistic project details, a detailed budget, proof of nonprofit status, outreach activities, communications plan, and additional documents, such as letters of engagement from presenting partners and related project texts. 
• February 2026: Applications will be screened for eligibility by Villa Albertine staff. 
• March 2026: Eligible projects will be evaluated by a committee comprised of French and American performing arts professionals. 
• End of April 2026: Results will be announced.