Government of Taiwan - Taiwan Fellowship

Taiwan Fellowship

You will receive a monthly stipend (a fixed living allowance) of about EUR 1,420 (NT$50,000) to carry out research in Taiwan for 3 to 12 months. If you are a professor, associate professor or research fellow, you will instead receive approximately 1,700 euros (NT$60,000). In addition to the grant, you will receive a return economy-class flight between your home country and Taiwan (reimbursement up to a regional ceiling, for example NT$60,000 for Europe) as well as accident insurance for the duration of your stay. The programme is funded by the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and administered by the Centre for Chinese Studies at the National Central Library. It supports research on Taiwan, relations between Taiwan and mainland China, the Asia-Pacific region, and Sinology (the study of China and Chinese culture).

Who can apply

• Your role: You are a professor, associate professor or assistant professor, a postdoctoral researcher, a PhD student or a doctoral candidate at a foreign university, or a research fellow at a comparable level at a foreign academic institution.
• Field of study: Your field of research lies within the social sciences or humanities and relates to Taiwan, relations between Taiwan and mainland China, mainland China, the Asia-Pacific region or Sinology.
• Nationality: Applicants of any nationality may apply, provided they are not Taiwanese citizens.
• Where you are based: You are currently working or studying abroad. If you are already conducting research, teaching or studying in Taiwan, you are not eligible to apply.
• Research plan: You have a specific research project that you would like to carry out in Taiwan.

How to apply

Complete the online application form, which is available every year from 1 May to 30 June. You should then submit your documents – including a CV, a research proposal of around three pages and two letters of recommendation – to the Taiwanese embassy or consulate in your country. They will review your application and issue a recommendation. A selection committee at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will make the final decision.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is very narrowly defined: you must have an academic post abroad and a research topic relating to Taiwan or the wider region, meaning that the pool of applicants is significantly smaller than for open scholarships for students. If you clearly fit this profile and submit a sound, clearly focused research plan, your chances are good. The number of places available depends on the annual budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA); therefore, a compelling application that is viewed favourably by the local embassy is crucial.