The programme is a nationwide initiative to support American PhD students with a fellowship of up to $50,000 so that they can devote one year to intensive Chinese language training at an institution of the fellow’s choice, generally in China or Taiwan.
The fellowship is designed to cover all tuition and other registration/visa fees related to a student’s intensive Chinese language programme, as well as to provide a generous stipend to cover living and travel costs. NBR’s programme team will work with fellowship recipients as they apply to their chosen language programmes and will begin to disburse awards in August, with an expectation that awardees will travel to Asia during the mid-to late-summer in order to begin classes in September.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualified applicants for the Chinese Language Fellowship will:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Be a PhD student, with a focus on China and policy.
- Demonstrate an intermediate Chinese language ability (e.g., through course transcripts and/or the results of language assessment tests) and a clear commitment to expanding these language skills. The fellowship is NOT intended to help beginner students of Chinese.
- Desire to advance public policy toward China through improved expertise and understanding, or to contribute to scholarly research and teaching on China in order to develop future generations of China specialists.
In addition to the qualifications above, qualified applicants for the Prospective PhD track of the Chinese Language Fellowship will:
- Have recently graduated from a master’s programme or be currently enrolled in a master’s programme.
- Demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing a PhD, with a focus on China and policy.
Offered Benefits
The Chinese Language Fellowship offers two types of fellowships:
- PhD Track (up to $50,000): The PhD track of the CLFP allows currently enrolled PhD students to participate in a language programme of their choice in Taiwan or China for ten months, followed by a summer language programme during which fellows will take one-on-one classes in which they may choose to read primary sources directly related to their dissertation research.
- Prospective PhD Track (up to $40,000): The Prospective PhD track of the CLFP allows current or recent master’s degree students planning to pursue a PhD to participate in a language programme of their choice in Taiwan or China for ten months. Applicants to the Prospective PhD track must be currently enrolled in a master’s programme or recently graduated from a master’s program.
Application Process
Go to National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) on nbr.applicantpro.com to apply
Required Documents:
- A two-page summary resume (full academic CVs will not be reviewed).
- A two-page letter that addresses how their proposed Chinese language program will contribute to their language training, doctoral studies, and future plans.*
- A letter of recommendation from an academic supervisor or professor.**
- A letter of recommendation from a recent Chinese language teacher.
- Electronic transcripts from all educational institutions you are currently attending or from which you received a degree.
- A complete application form, answering questions about academic experiences, Chinese language skills, and Chinese language classes are taken.
*If you are applying to the Prospective PhD track, explain your plans to pursue a PhD programme in your cover letter.
** If you are applying to the Prospective PhD track, ask your academic supervisor or professor to address your aptitude for a PhD programme in his/her letter of recommendation.
