The Center for Ethnographic Media Arts offers annual fellowships for advanced work in moving image, photography and sound that furthers the potential of audiovisual mediums and arts-based research. The fellows will form a core foundational community within CEMA as, together, they embark to understand human and cultural existence through the creation of non-fiction film and audio works

APPLY NOW FOR THE 2026-2027 CEMA FELLOWSHIP

APPLY

The CEMA Graduate Fellowship is open to graduate students, postdoctoral and USC-affiliated research fellows and are offered on a competitive basis for approved media arts projects. Applicants must be affiliated with USC during the fellowship year for which they are applying. Applications typically open in Spring. 

Fellowships include access to production equipment, post-production facilities, technical support and monetary awards (between $1000–$5000) in some cases to defray production or post-production expenses, as well as inclusion in the CEMA community of artist-researchers, including screenings, workshops and small group critiques of works-in-progress. 

Central to the fellowship is participation in monthly workshops and critiques of works-in-progress. In these meetings fellows have the opportunity to present their work to other fellows, CEMA affiliates and invited guests for feedback at critical junctures in the production of their work. With the exception of extraordinary circumstances, attendance at these meetings by CEMA fellows is expected.

Contact CEMA with any questions by email at cema@usc.edu.

Painting of a hand turning the dial on a radio.

The CEMA Fellowship Application Portal is now live and closes 3/22/2026. 

Application Instructions:

Section 1: Contact Information

Section 2: Project Materials 

  • Project Proposal (2–3 pages): Describe your project, its significance, and theoretical orientation.
  • Explain how it relates to past work.
  • Include a practical timeline for the fellowship period (May 15, 2026 – May 14, 2027).
  • If collaborating, clarify your role and those of your collaborators.
  • Project Budget and Equipment Request:
    • Provide an itemized budget (travel, accommodations, materials, services).
    • List requested equipment and anticipated dates needed.
    • Note: CEMA has limited video, audio, and production equipment; future acquisitions are possible but not guaranteed.
    • Fellows may request up to $5000 for each new project, however award amounts will vary, and will be dispersed as soon as possible following the start of the fellowship period. The final $100 will be dispersed upon completion of the project reports. 
  • Curriculum Vitae: Submit your updated CV and that of any close collaborators (co-directors, co-creators, etc.).

Section 3: Media Samples

  • Submit streaming links to previous work and, if possible, work-in-progress for your proposed project.
  • Up to 10 minutes of content total (single clip or 2–3 excerpts).
  • For longer works, specify which 10 minutes the committee should view.
  • Photography applicants: submit a link to a portfolio.
  • Optional: include a short paragraph describing each work, its relevance to your project, and timecodes for excerpts.