Talents are welcome

COMMS New Talents is a travel grant program launched by ICOM COMMS to honor emerging professionals who are shaping the future of communications, marketing, PR, press management, content creation, institutional transformation, and audience engagement in museums worldwide.

COMMS New Talents is a prize for the boldest. We are looking for innovative concepts and brilliant insights for the museum sector.

Send your application by August 28. 

Does your work advance the practice of museum communications? This can include new methodologies, community-centered approaches, experimental formats, cross-disciplinary work, or contributions to underserved or underrepresented contexts.

Does your work demonstrate a clear vision for where they are heading? We are investing in futures, not resumes. A compelling statement of professional intent carries significant weight.

Talent is defined by professional stage, not age. We welcome applications from professionals at any age who identify as early-career or emerging in the museum communications field. We are committed to an inclusive selection process free from age-based discrimination. However, as required by ICOM funding, at least two (2) grants will be awarded to qualified applicants 40 years of age or younger

The COMMS New Talents 2026 grant package includes:

Travel grant of up to EUR 500 per grantee
Complimentary full registration for the Back to Basics Conference (2–4 December 2026, Heureka, Vantaa, Finland)
Dedicated presentation slot at the conference to share your work with peers and senior professionals
Formal certificate as ICOM COMMS New Talent 2026
Introduction to the ICOM COMMS network and committee leadership

How does it work?

The travel grant program supports airfare (in the most reasonable Economy Class), ground transportation, and accommodation for the duration of the meeting. The grant will not cover insurance, medical coverage, meals, or other expenses related to the members’ participation.

Requirements/Applicants must:

• be an individual member of ICOM and of COMMS at the time of the grant application.
• be able to comprehend, write, and speak fluent English
• not have received grants from COMMMS in the last three years
• be current with ICOM membership dues

Click here to submit your application

Send your idea, concept, or project in a PechaKucha-style presentation: 20 slides at 20 seconds each. Selected grantees will receive travel support to attend the Back to Basics Conference, hosted jointly by ICOM COMMS and ICOMON.

The application deadline is August 28, 2026.

Applications will be reviewed by a panel composed of ICOM COMMS Executive Board members and at least one external practitioner from the museum communications field. The panel will assess all applications against the criteria above. All applicants will be notified of the outcome. The selection panel’s decision is final. We are unable to provide individual feedback on unsuccessful applications.

In awarding grants, priority will be given to the applicants:

• ICOM COMMS is committed to geographic and institutional diversity in the selection.
• Who demonstrate a good understanding of the benefits of attending the conference.
• Who have been accepted to speak on the conference sub-themes.
• wWo come from countries belonging to categories 5, 4, 3 and 2, according to ICOM’s Classification of countries by category 2022.
• Who may obtain other funds to facilitate their attendance at the conference.

In addition, upon being awarded the grant, each grantee will be informed by the COMMS treasurer about the proper receipts, documentation, and bank information they will need to provide immediately following the conference to be reimbursed in a timely fashion.

All Travel Grant Applicants must register for the conference via the Conference Registration Form.

Applicants must comply with the eligibility criteria outlined in this document.

Please send any questions and applications to chair.comms@icom.museum by 25 August 2026.