Fairbank Center grants enable students to pursue language study or academic research in Chinese studies. Grants can be used for travel to China, Taiwan, or to other locations necessary for the research. Students must plan their research project, itinerary and budget in advance and then apply for a grant to help fund the proposed academic activity. For language study, students must apply first to an appropriate language program and then apply for grant funding towards program and travel costs.
Please check the specific details and application requirements for each type of grant.
NEW Funding is also available for travel to Taiwan for independent learning experiences such as internships, projects, or gap semester/year plans. See the “Taiwan Grants” tab below for information and fill out this Taiwan Grants Interest Form if you have specific questions.
Please review these FAQs about Fairbank Center grants.
If your question is not answered here, email fairbankcenter@fas.harvard.edu
The Fairbank Center has available funding to support student travel to Taiwan for learning opportunities. Two types of grants are offered: Taiwan Travel Grants and Taiwan Studies Grants. Please read the descriptions below for each grant type.
If you have questions or want further details, submit the Taiwan Grants Interest Form.
Taiwan Travel Grants: for summer/winter or gap year
Taiwan Travel Grants support undergraduates wishing to travel to Taiwan to undertake a project, unpaid internship, or program that supports their learning objectives. These grants are intended to support non-credit experiential opportunities for students whose primary residence is not in Taiwan.
Research or creative projects may address topics within or beyond East Asian studies, where the project site, sources, or subject experts are located in Taiwan. Project proposals should state how the project or activity relates to the student’s course of study in the humanities or social sciences and/or towards their career preparation. Applications must include a letter from an academic advisor explaining how the project aligns with the the student’s academic objectives.
Independent Internships: Taiwan Travel grants may support undergraduates who have secured an unpaid internship in Taiwan. Internship opportunities may be at non-profits, museums, universities or schools, law firms, or any other non-commercial institutions in Taiwan that have agreed to host the student intern and provide work on a project developed by either the organization or in collaboration with the internship site. Students are responsible for arranging their own internship placement and must provide documentation confirming the internship offer or invitation with their application. Students with a self-arranged internship may apply for grant funding towards travel and expenses for 4-10 weeks in Taiwan. Students will be responsible for securing the necessary visa or work permit in coordination with their internship host organization.
Funding is also available to support a gap-year or gap-semester for students wishing to pursue non-credit study programs, independent research projects, or independently-arranged internships in Taiwan. To be eligible, students must be planning to return to Harvard to continue their undergraduate degree or to enroll in a Harvard graduate degree program.
Application Rounds and Deadlines:
For Taiwan Travel in Summer 2026, apply by March 25, 2026
For Taiwan Travel in Fall 2026 or Gap Year 2026-27, apply by May 5, 2026
Apply here through CARAT for undergraduate Taiwan Travel Grant (link will be added once CARAT application is open)
Taiwan Studies Grants: for academic term
Taiwan Studies Grants support Harvard undergraduates wanting to pursue term-time language training, academic study abroad, or research in Taiwan during the Fall or Spring semester. The proposed activity must have an academic purpose.
Note: If you are seeking academic credit for study abroad, contact the Office of International Education (OIE) as soon as possible to apply for approval of your study plan. In addition, apply to the Fairbank Center for a Taiwan Studies Grant by the deadline below.
Application Rounds and Deadlines:
For Taiwan Studies during Fall 2026 semester, apply by May 5, 2026
For Taiwan Studies during Spring 2027 semester, apply in November 2026 (deadline to be announced)
Undergraduates apply here through CARAT for Taiwan Studies Grant
Interested in Taiwan funding opportunities and/or have questions? Submit the Taiwan Grants interest form so we can follow up with more details.
Summer Language Grants support undergraduates who plan to enroll in a summer language program for study of a language necessary for research in Chinese Studies.
Funding is available for intermediate and pre-advanced level language study through the Harvard Taipei Academy Summer School program (apply by January 29 through Harvard Summer School, AND apply for a Fairbank Center language grant via the CARAT link below).
Funding is also available for all levels of language study, either for academic credit or not, through other programs based in Taiwan. For academic credit for summer study abroad, apply for approval through the Office of International Education (OIE).
Undergraduates apply here through CARAT for Summer Language Grant (CARAT Opportunity 5006)
Deadline: February 2, 2026
Summer Research Grants support undergraduates planning to conduct academic research in or about Greater China (including Taiwan) during the summer. Priority is given to senior thesis research projects. Funding is also available to support student travel to Taiwan for summer research projects in any academic field where the research site or sources are located in Taiwan.
Undergraduates apply here through CARAT for Summer Research Grant (CARAT Opportunity 5008)
Deadline: February 9, 2026
We offer a limited number of grants to assist undergraduate students with financial need to participate in Winter session (December-January) academic work in Chinese studies. Proposed travel must be for a minimum of two weeks and the research must be essential for a thesis project and endorsed by a faculty thesis advisor.
We typically are not able to fund short language or study abroad programs during winter break. Students interested in language study abroad can consider applying for a Summer Language Grant.
Deadline: October 30
Student Organization Grants
The Fairbank Center offers grants to support student organizations planning programs or academic events that engage Harvard students in learning about Greater China. Proposals from student organizations planning educational activities in Taiwan will also be considered.
One representative of the registered student organization can submit an application with a project proposal and itemized budget. The application must be accompanied by a note of support from the organization’s faculty advisor. Requests for funding are considered on a rolling basis, but student organizations are encouraged to apply as early as possible (at least two months ahead) as funding is limited. For more information see the Student Organizations Grant application form.
Note: For projects spanning multiple countries and/or regions, the Fairbank Center will coordinate with the Asia-related centers and institutes based in Harvard’s Center for Government and International Studies to determine appropriate funding, based on content. Please indicate in your proposal for which other sources of funding you are applying.
Deadline: Rolling. Requests for funding should be submitted via email at least two months in advance of the event or project start date. To apply, email fairbankcenter@fas.harvard.edu and attach as PDFs: 1) completed Fairbank Center Student Organizations Grant application form, 2) project proposal with itemized budget, and 3) written confirmation of application approval from your student organization’s faculty advisor. Email harrietwong@fas.harvard.edu to let us know you have applied or if you have any questions.