Grants

Help fund your work by applying for one of our grants. We provide grants for Harvard University undergraduates, graduate students, student organizations, and faculty on a range of activities that support research and learning about Greater China:


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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 10, 2025

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 10, 2025

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 29 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.

Apply here through CARAT

Deadline: October 30

For Graduate Students:

Students: please review these FAQs about Fairbank Center grants. If your question is not answered here, email fairbankcenter@fas.harvard.edu.

Watch three Harvard graduate students share their Term-Time Travel Grant-funded research experiences.

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 29 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 14, 2025

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 14, 2025

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 29 for Taiwan study during Fall semester.

October 30 for Taiwan Study during winter break

December 5 for Taiwan study during Spring 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.

Apply here through CARAT

Deadline: March 25

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.

Apply in CARAT

Deadline: Rolling (apply at least two months before your conference and email harrietwong@fas.harvard.edu to let us know you submitted an application)

For Student Organizations:

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.

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.

Student Organization Grants

Support for student organizations towards projects or events related to Greater China or China studies. For more information see the Student Organizations Grant application form.

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.

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 conference or workshop 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.  

Proposals for small research grants should include:

  1. Research project proposal with title, research question and scope, methodology, project timeline and objectives/output. Explain the purpose and significance of the research and how will it contribute to Chinese studies.
  2. Project participants with names of Harvard faculty involved in project and of potential RAs if applicable.
  3. Research Assistant (if applicable) job description and responsibilities, anticipated start and end date, number of work hours and rate of compensation.
  4. Funding request – explanation of need with an itemized budget of estimated research costs. Please note other sources of funding support secured or applied for.

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 your more detailed grant proposal.