The residency must be used to research, expand, and/or rebuild work and rehearsal time must be dedicated to the proposed project. Lead dance-based artists must be residents of the Boston metropolitan area (within route 495). This program is open to a range of dance genres and movement-based artists. Artists of color, artists with disabilities, artists whose original work is based on culturally specific dance forms, and those working in alternative formats are encouraged to apply. Once awarded a Dance Lab, artists must wait at least two full years before reapplying for the program.

Students enrolled in either undergraduate or graduate programs in any field at the time of application are not eligible.