Deadline: February 19, 2024
NBR is currently accepting applications for the 2024–25 fellowship class. The NBR Chinese Language Fellowship Program provides fellowships of up to $50,000 to support American graduate students in a year of full-time, intensive Chinese language study, generally in Taipei or Beijing. The fellowship is intended to cover all expenses at a graduate student level, including tuition, housing living stipend, and other miscellaneous fees.
The Chinese Language Fellowship offers two types of fellowships:
- PhD Track (up to $50,000) The PhD track of the Chinese Language Fellowship allows currently enrolled PhD students to participate in a language program of their choice in Taiwan or China for nine months followed by a summer language program during which fellows will take one-on-one classes where they may choose to read primary sources directly related their dissertation research.
- Prospective PhD Track (up to $40,000) The Prospective PhD track of the Chinese Language Fellowship allows current or recent master’s degree students planning to pursue a PhD to participate in a language program of their choice in Taiwan or China for nine months. Applicants to the Prospective PhD track must be currently enrolled in a master’s program or already possess a master’s degree.
Eligibility
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 expand 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 program or be currently enrolled in a master’s program.
- Demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing a PhD, with a focus on China and policy.
Application Materials
To apply, candidates must submit:
- 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 taken.
*If you are applying to the Prospective PhD track, please explain your plans to pursue a PhD program in your cover letter.
** If you are applying to the Prospective PhD track, please ask your academic supervisor or professor to address your aptitude for a PhD program in his/her letter of recommendation.
How to Apply
Details on eligibility and how to apply are available at www.nbr.org/clfp. Application is now open for the 2024–25 academic year and will remain open until February 19, 2024.
Please direct any questions to fellowships@nbr.org.