No payment required from fellows. The fellowship is fully funded by SAKS through sponsorship. The stipend is paid directly to each fellow on the first of each month. SAKS does not charge fellows a program fee, application fee, or any other cost.
Fellows arrange their own accommodation in Puducherry. Guidance on housing options near the Ashram, in the French Quarter, and in Auroville is provided on selection.
Frequently asked
What disciplines are eligible?
All disciplines are welcome — artists, designers, researchers, research writers and scholars, musicians, filmmakers, architects, and practitioners working at the edges of their field. The fellowship is not a visual-arts residency.
What should the proposal include?
Be specific about what you intend to make, research, or explore during the year — and why Puducherry is the right context for it. Vague proposals are not competitive. The Selection Committee is looking for depth and seriousness of intent, not credentials.
Is there a structured program to follow?
No. The fellowship is explicitly unstructured. There are no courses to attend, no modules to complete, no institutional obligations beyond the one public presentation at the close of the year. The presence of other fellows and the SAKS community provides intellectual companionship — not a program.
Are international fellows welcome?
Yes. The fellowship is international. All communication and the final presentation are in English. Fellows are responsible for their own visa arrangements — SAKS provides a letter of support.
Something else?
Use the
Enquire form and the team will respond within five working days.