Global Connections

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible applicants must complete the online registration and postmark their completed application no later than the listed deadlines. Round 1 • Cycle A recipients may apply in Round 1 • Cycle B only if their activities and reporting are completed by March 14, 2011.


Applicant Organizations must meet the following requirements:

  • 501(c)3 status (Fiscal sponsors are not allowed);
  • History of developing and/or producing its own theatre work over the last three years;
  • Location within the United States or its territories;
  • Employment of at least one full-time salaried staff person at the time of application;
  • All artists within the organization must be compensated a fair amount for their work, but it is not necessary for the theatre to use an Equity contract.

Individual Applicant Theatre Professionals must meet the following requirements:

  • Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status;
  • Have a minimum of five years experience working in the not-for-profit theatre field with a history of mounting professional theatre productions within the last year;
  • Capacity to implement the proposed activity as illustrated by previous projects of similar size, scope and structure.
Additional Program Specific eligibility requirements:
On the Road In the Lab
  • All organizations and individual applicants must use funds to seek new relationships with artists from outside the U.S.;
  • Requests for support to travel to meet with existing or previous collaborators is not eligible for this initiative of the program;
  • Applications focusing solely on travel or scouting without a cultural exchange component will not be competitive.
  • All U.S. organizations and individual applicants must have a history of producing professional work or developing new work with professional artists from other countries, and illustrate a previous history of working together.
  • Requests for support to develop projects with new collaborators is not eligible for this initiative of the program.

Selection Process and Criteria

Applications will be evaluated by an independent national selection panel of experienced theatre professionals with a background in international exchange. Panelists will review eligible proposals and select recipients based on the information provided in your application by using the following selection criteria:

  • Accomplishments and artistic excellence of the theatres/artists involved, as illustrated in the artist organization statement and narrative by discussing how the work:
    • Is inventive, imaginative and substantive in form and content;
    • Is well-executed and well-produced, demonstrating control of production values and technique;
    • Is self reflective/critical and demonstrates internal development and willingness to take risks,as appropriate;
    • Reflects awareness of the history and contemporary practice of the field and its relationship to both;
  • Evidence of commitment and ability to use grant effectively to develop the proposed activity, as illustrated by:
    • Theatre training and professional experience of participating artists and collaborators (formal or informal);
    • Interest and/or experience in international work or cross-cultural exchange by the applicant;
    • Clearly articulated plan to implement the proposed travel or project;
    • Appropriateness of the budget, timeframe and capacity to implement the proposed activity;
    • Proven fiscal responsibility as illustrated by submitted materials.
  • Potential to significantly impact and advance the applicant collaborator(s), and the larger filed.