Lumen is a global Prize, and global representation matters.

The Lumen Prize is a 501(c)3, as such the only way we are able to continue to run t

However, we appreciate that entry fees can be a meaningful barrier, particularly for artists working outside the most represented regions in the sector.

This bursary is one practical step toward widening access and ensuring more voices are present in the conversation. We’re deeply grateful to the Toledo Museum for making this support possible.

The Toledo Museum Bursary is reserved for artists based in countries across Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, the Caribbean, Pacific Island states, Latin America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

The bursary covers the full entry fee for one submission to the Lumen Prize 2026 for eligible artists on a first-come-first-served basis.

There are 55 Bursary places available.

This bursary is open to artists working with technology in their practice, including individuals, collectives, studios, and research teams, who are based in an eligible underrepresented country and intend to submit to the Lumen Prize 2026.

Works in progress are welcome, provided the submission accurately reflects the work’s current stage of development.

Africa (all countries)
All African countries eligible (including North Africa).

Middle East (all countries)

Central Asia (all countries)
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Caribbean
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago

Pacific Island states
Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Latin America
Bolivia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Venezuela
Optional additions (very low-volume in 2025): Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala, Uruguay, Chile

South Asia
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.

Southeast Asia
Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Timor-Leste, Thailand, and
Vietnam.

Complete the form below during the application window. After the form closes, we’ll verify eligibility against the country list and allocate bursary places in timestamp order. The first eligible applicants will receive a code covering one free submission to the Lumen Prize 2026 within a week of the entry date closing.