Center of Chinese Studies - Research grant of the Center for Chinese Studies, Taiwan

What you get

You will receive a monthly research grant to carry out research on Taiwan or China at the Centre for Chinese Studies (CCS) in Taipei. The CCS is part of the National Central Library of Taiwan. The amount of the grant depends on your academic level:

• PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and assistant professors: NT$ 40,000 (approx. 1,150 EUR) per month
• Associate Professors: NT$ 50,000 (approx. 1,400 EUR) per month
• Full professors: NT$ 60,000 (approx. 1,700 EUR) per month

Funding may be awarded for a period ranging from one month to a full year. If you live abroad and are not yet in Taiwan, the CCS will also cover the cost of a return economy-class flight from your place of residence to Taipei, as well as accident and disability insurance for the duration of your stay. You will have access to the library and its facilities, as well as support in establishing contact with local universities and institutes.

Who can apply

• Level: You are a PhD student, postdoctoral researcher, assistant professor, associate professor or full professor.
• Where you are based: You are working or studying at a university or research institute outside Taiwan.
• Field: Your research is in the field of the humanities or social sciences and focuses primarily on Taiwan studies or Sinology.
• Where you go: You are conducting research in Taiwan at the CCS in Taipei.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply. Researchers from over 50 countries have already received funding.
• Repeat applications: If you have already received this grant, you must wait at least three years before you can apply again.

How to apply

You must apply online to the CCS by 31 May for a placement in the following year. You must submit your CV together with a list of publications, a research plan and at least one letter of recommendation, which your referee must send directly by email. A selection panel comprising external experts will assess the applications. The decision will depend primarily on the quality of your research proposal. You will be notified of the outcome by the end of August.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is aimed at a specific target group: foreign academics specialising in Taiwan or China studies who will be conducting research in Taipei. The pool of applicants is therefore limited. In recent rounds of applications, there were approximately 60 to 100 applicants for approximately 18 to 20 places; competition therefore exists, but is not excessively fierce. A clear, well-reasoned research plan is crucial, as the committee attaches greater weight to this than to any other aspect.