Fairbank Center grants enable students to pursue language study or research in Chinese studies. Grants can be used for travel to greater China or other locations for academic research or to participate in a language study program. Students are encouraged to plan their project, itinerary and budget in advance and then apply for a grant to help fund the proposed academic activity. Please check the specific details and application requirements for each type of grant.
Please review these FAQs about Fairbank Center grants.
If your question is not answered here, email fairbankcenter@fas.harvard.edu.
Co-sponsored by the Harvard China Fund to support travel to or within mainland China for research during the semester. All Harvard graduate students whose primary research domain is related to China are welcome to apply here through CARAT for a Term-Time Travel Grant.
Deadlines: November 16, 2026 for travel during Spring 2027 semester
May 10, 2027 for travel during Fall 2027 semester.
Summer Research Grants support graduate student travel for research in or about greater China during summer, June-August. Priority will be given to research that is essential for the dissertation or thesis.
Graduate students apply here through CARAT for Summer Research Grant (Opportunity Number 4023)
Summer Language Grants support graduate students needing to use the summer for advanced study of a language necessary to pursue research related to Chinese studies.
Graduate students apply here through CARAT for Summer Language Grant (Opportunity Number 5011)
Deadline: February 12, 2027
Winter Grants for Graduate Students
The Fairbank Center offers a limited number of travel grants for GSAS students to pursue academic research in China/Chinese studies during the winter break between semesters. The proposed research must be for a minimum of two weeks and be essential for the dissertation/thesis. A faculty recommendation is required from your dissertation/thesis advisor and should state why the proposed winter research is necessary.
Please note that winter grant funding is limited to GSAS students. Recipients of Winter grants may be less likely to be awarded Fairbank Center summer funding in the same academic year.
For winter research projects focused on Taiwan, please apply instead for a Taiwan Study Grant.
Graduate students apply here through CARAT for a Winter research grant.
Deadline: October 30, 2026
Our Taiwan Studies Grants support graduate students proposing thesis/dissertation research in Taiwan, or planning academic study at a host institution in Taiwan during a semester or winter session.
Graduate students apply here through CARAT for Taiwan Studies Grant
Deadlines: October 30, 2026 for Taiwan studies during Winter session
November 16, 2026 for Taiwan studies during Spring 2027 semester.
May 10, 2027 for Taiwan studies during Fall 2027 semester
Note: Funding is also available through our Taiwan Travel Grants for students proposing to undertake an independent study, creative project, or self-arranged unpaid internship in Taiwan, with the purpose of learning more about Taiwan. Taiwan Travel proposals may be for travel during winter break, a gap semester, or summer. Priority is generally given to undergraduate students but graduate students are also welcome to apply. Contact us to ask about Taiwan Travel Grants eligibility and deadlines, email: fairbankcenter@fas.harvard.edu
Desmond and Whitney Shum Fellowship supports selected Harvard GSAS doctoral students undertaking social science research projects in China. The proposed research should be central to the doctoral dissertation. The proposed research travel should be four months or longer during the following academic year.
Deadline: March 30, 2027
Support for Harvard graduate students invited to participate in professional academic conferences to present an original research paper in Chinese studies. Funding is limited and intended to help towards conference registration fees and travel by economic means. Students will be considered for one Fairbank Center Conference Grant per academic year. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; please apply at least two months prior to the conference.
Deadline: Rolling (apply at least two months before your conference and email harrietwong@fas.harvard.edu to let us know you have submitted an application)
Student Organization Grants
The Fairbank Center offers a small number of grants to support undergraduate or graduate student organizations engaged in projects or events relating to China Studies. One representative of the organization can submit an application with a project proposal and itemized budget. Requests are considered on a rolling basis, but student organizations are encouraged to apply as early as possible 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 one month 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.