Taiwan Foundation for Democracy Fellowships 2021

Application deadline: 15 October 2020 (1st Deadline)

Taiwan Foundation for Democracy Fellowships

Every year, the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy grants a limited number of fellowships to scholars and practitioners from outside Taiwan who wish to pursue research related to Taiwan’s democracy and human rights. The TFD divides its fellowships into four categories: Dissertation Fellowships, for PhD candidates writing their thesis; Postdoctoral Fellowships, for those who have recently received their PhD; Democracy and Human Rights Service Fellowships, for those who want to be involved in democracy and human rights projects in Taiwan; and International Visiting Fellowships, for experienced democracy and human rights practitioners.

Eligibility

•  you meet the following 4 criteria, you are eligible for a Dissertation Fellowship:

1. You are enrolled in a full-time PhD program or equivalent in a field related to your proposed research topic
2. You will have completed all your PhD requirements by the appropriate date
3. You intend to undertake research related to Taiwan’s democracy or human rights
4. You are not a citizen of Taiwan

• If you meet the following 4 criteria, you are eligible for a Postdoctoral Fellowship:

1. You have a PhD in a field that is relevant to your proposed research
2. You received your PhD no more than seven years ago
3. You intend to undertake research related to Taiwan’s democracy or human rights
4. You are not a citizen of Taiwan

• If you meet the following 3 criteria, you are eligible for a Democracy and Human Rights Service Fellowship:

1. You are a practitioner devoted to the promotion or building of democracy or human rights (and have an MA in a relevant field or at least two years of relevant work experience) at the time of application
2. You intend to undertake a project designed to promote democracy or human rights in Taiwan
3. You are not a citizen of Taiwan 

• If you meet the following 3 criteria, you are eligible for an International Visiting Fellowship:

1. You are a well-established scholar or expert in the field of democracy or human rights
2. You intend to undertake research related to Taiwan’s democracy or human rights or engage in a democracy or human rights promotion project
3. You are not a citizen of Taiwan

Responsibilities and Benefits

The TFD will provide the following services to each of its Fellows:

1. a monthly stipend designed to assist with living expenses in Taiwan
2. a reimbursement for a round-trip ticket from the applicant’s current location to Taiwan
3. shared office space at the TFD, including computing facilities and internet access
4. use of the TFD office for events related to the Fellow’s research (with permission from the TFD on a case-by-case basis)
5. access to the TFD’s collection of research materials
6. access to the TFD’s network of scholars
7. assistance in making contact with persons relevant to the Fellow’s research when necessary
8. TFD business cards

Likewise, TFD Fellows are responsible for the following items:

1. planning and coordinating all research activities, including making contact with interviewees, arranging for translation services, and designing an appropriate timetable for the Fellow’s research
2. submitting a progress report every two months
3. submitting a written, academic report of the results of the project by the end of the fellowship, in addition to a public, oral presentation at the TFD on the results of the project
4. obeying all laws of the Republic of China, as well as any legal fees or penalties that result from a failure to obey those laws
5. all travel arrangements to and from Taiwan, including visas
6. housing and transportation in Taiwan
7. all expenses beyond the Fellow’s stipend and airfare reimbursement
8. consulting with TFD staff before traveling outside of Taiwan during the period of the fellowship

The TFD staff is more than happy to provide assistance and answer questions when necessary, but please remember that the TFD is not responsible for coordinating its Fellows’ research projects. Fellowship applicants who are ultimately granted fellowships typically have clear project plans, have done background research on their topic before applying, and are ready to begin their projects when they arrive.

Travel outside of Taiwan

The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy provides its Fellows with a monthly stipend to assist with their living expenses while they conduct their fellowship research in Taiwan, and does not generally grant funding for time spent outside of Taiwan. However, we recognize that TFD Fellows occasionally find opportunities to travel outside of Taiwan during their fellowships that contribute to their fellowship research. The TFD will consider continuing regular fellowship funding to Fellows for time spent abroad, provided that:
– The purpose of the trip is to further their field research on Taiwan and is directly related to the research topic described in their fellowship application
– They inform the TFD of their plans to travel abroad and provide a thorough overview of planned activities abroad
– They receive approval from the TFD
– They report the results of their travel to the TFD after returning to Taiwan

Such funding will be granted on a case-by-case basis and must be pre-approved by the TFD. TFD Fellows will not receive funding for time spent abroad if they do not fulfill the conditions listed above. In addition, the TFD will not provide reimbursements for extra travel expenses, for example airfare, travel tax, or shipping costs.

• If the starting date of research projects falls between January and April, applicants must send application forms in hard copy to TFD before the 1st deadline- October 15 2020. Others are also welcome to submit research projects to be conducted between May and December before the 1st deadline. For applications received by that date, applicants will be notified of the result no later than January 2021.
• If the starting date of research projects falls between May and August, applicants must send all application materials in hard copy to TFD before the 2nd deadline- February 15, 2021. Others are also welcome to submit research projects to be conducted between September and December before the 2nd deadline. Applicants will be notified of the result no later than May 2021.
• The 3rd deadline- June 15, 2021, applies to the projects only to be conducted between September and December, and applicants will be notified of the result no later than September 2021. Applicants must send all application materials in hard copy to TFD before the 3rd deadline.

More information and application process on official website.