Government of Taiwan - Ministry of Education Short Term Research Award (STRA)

What the STRA gives you

You will receive a monthly research allowance enabling you to carry out research in Taiwan for 2 to 6 months, as well as a return economy-class flight between your place of residence and Taiwan. PhD students receive approximately 720 EUR per month (NT$25,000). Postdoctoral researchers receive approximately 1,150 EUR per month (NT$40,000). Flight costs are reimbursed up to a regional ceiling; you must pay for any costs exceeding this yourself, and you are responsible for arranging your own accommodation. The scholarship is awarded by the Taiwanese Ministry of Education (MOE), which funds approximately 20 of these research stays each year.

Who can apply

• Your level: You are a PhD student or a postdoctoral researcher who has already completed your PhD and is working at a university or research institute.
• Where you study or work: Your university or institute is located outside Taiwan.
• Field: Your research focuses on Taiwan and falls within the humanities or social sciences, culture, the arts or a related field of comparative study with a clear connection to Taiwan.
• Nationality: Open to international researchers. You are not eligible to apply if you hold a Taiwanese passport or are from mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau.
• Not already in Taiwan: At the time of application, you must not be living, studying, teaching or conducting research in Taiwan, and you must not be receiving any further funding for the project from the Taiwanese government or a Taiwanese institution.
• No recent award: You have not received a STRA award in the last 5 years.
• Publications help: If you have written a doctoral thesis, a book or other publications, you will be given priority. This is an advantage, not a requirement.

How to apply

You should submit your application directly to the Taiwanese university or research institute affiliated with the Ministry of Education (MOE) where you wish to carry out your research (your host institution). Your application must be received there by 30 September. The host institution will forward it to the Ministry of Education, whose committee will assess each application. The results will be announced the following January.

How realistic are your chances?

The field of study is narrowly defined: your research must be directly related to Taiwan, and only 20 scholarships are awarded each year. A research proposal that is vague or only loosely connected to Taiwan will not pass the committee’s assessment. If you are an outstanding PhD student or postdoctoral researcher with a specific project focused on Taiwan – ideally with previously published work – and are able to secure a supporting host institution at an early stage, your prospects are good.