Help fund your work by applying for one of our grants. We provide grants for Harvard University undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty on a range of activities that support research and learning about Greater China:
For Undergraduates:
Students: please review these FAQs about Fairbank Center grants. If your question is not answered here, email fairbankcenter@fas.harvard.edu.
Summer Language Grants
For undergraduates who plan to enroll in a summer language program for intermediate or advanced language study of languages necessary for research in China Studies.
Undergraduates apply here through CARAT
Deadline: February 5, 2024
Summer Research Grants
For undergraduates who plan to conduct academic research in or on Greater China (including Taiwan) during the summer. Priority given to thesis research projects.
Undergraduates apply here through CARAT
Deadline: February 5, 2024
Taiwan Studies Grants
Travel grants to support Harvard undergraduates to travel to Taiwan for advanced language training or academic research during the fall or spring semester.
Undergraduates apply here through CARAT
Deadlines: July 31 for Taiwan study during Fall semester
December 5 for Taiwan study during Spring semester
Winter Term Grants
We offer a limited number of small grants to assist undergraduate students with financial need to participate in optional Winter Term (December-January) programs related to Chinese studies.
Deadline: October 30, 2023
For Graduate Students:
Students: please review these FAQs about Fairbank Center grants. If your question is not answered here, email fairbankcenter@fas.harvard.edu.
Term-Time Travel Grants
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
Deadline: July 31 for travel during the Fall semester. December 5 for travel during Spring semester.
Summer Research Grants
Supporting graduate student research on Greater China and Chinese diasporas during summer break.
Graduate students apply here through CARAT
Deadline: February 9, 2024
Summer Language Grants
Supporting graduate students planning to use the summer for advanced study of the languages necessary to pursue research related to Chinese studies.
Graduate students apply here through CARAT
Deadline: February 9, 2024
Taiwan Studies Grants
Our Taiwan Studies grants enable graduate students to travel to Taiwan for research or language study during term time or winter break.
Graduate students apply here through CARAT
Deadlines: July 31 for Taiwan study during Fall semester.
October 30, 2023 for Taiwan Study during winter break
December 5, 2023 for Taiwan study during Spring 2024 semester
Desmond and Whitney Shum Fellowship
Supporting 1-2 Harvard doctoral students undertaking social science research projects in China for 4 months or longer. The proposed research should be central to the doctoral dissertation.
Deadline: March 25, 2024
Conference Grants
Support for Harvard graduate students invited to participate in professional conferences to present their original research on Chinese studies. Funding is limited. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; please apply at least two months prior to the conference.
Deadline: Rolling (apply two months before your conference and email fairbankcenter@fas.harvard.edu to let us know you submitted an application)
Faculty and Junior Scholars
Conferences and book workshops
The Fairbank Center provides grants to support faculty-led conferences or book workshops, as well as small grants for research support. We welcome proposals from Harvard faculty and junior scholars.
Additionally, during 2023-24 The Harvard China Fund is offering Reengage with China Grants: up to $20,000 for Harvard faculty interested in short trips to China for the purpose of connecting with Chinese academic institutions or individuals. For details see: https://hcf.fas.harvard.edu/grants/faculty/
Fairbank Center conference grant proposals of up to $10,000 will be considered on a rolling basis and should be submitted at least six months in advance of the proposed conference.
Fairbank Center workshop grant proposals or small research grant applications of up to $5,000 are considered on a rolling basis.
Preference will be given to proposals that have additional sources of funding support.
Faculty proposals for Fairbank Center workshop or conference grants should include:
- Narrative (suggested length 1-2 pages)
- Conference or workshop topic
- Rationale—why is this important? What are the objectives?
- List of target participants, including Harvard faculty and Chinese colleagues, as well as other international scholars as appropriate
- Time frame and organization plan, to include the dates, preparation plan, and proposed format for the proceedings (such as panel discussions, paper presentations, free discussions) and a draft agenda, if available.
- Preliminary budget (please note that the Fairbank Center cannot fund speaker honoraria or per diem). Please include details of other sources of funding secured or anticipated.
Application deadline: Rolling. Submit the form below briefly describing your project and request for grant funding. Please also email fairbankcenter@fas.harvard.edu to let us know you have applied and to attach a more detailed grant proposal.