Summer Graduate Fellowships

AY2024-2025

 

General Principles

The Program in East Asian Studies supports Ph.D. students in humanities and social science departments planning to travel abroad to:

  • conduct pre- or dissertation research on East Asian topics crucial to their dissertations.
  • complete intensive, advanced Asian language study at an approved formal program.

Students in their first five years of enrollment or in their first year of DCE status are eligible.

Applications must be submitted by February 15, 2025, through the Student Activities Funding Engine (SAFE) https://studentfunding.princeton.edu/

Please note that in most cases your funding will come from three sources:

  1. the East Asian Studies Program
  2. the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies (PIIRS)
  3. your summer graduate stipend

So, when calculating your funding request, please consider this basic formula, and be sure to apply to both the EAS Program and PIIRS. 

 

Language Study

The Program in East Asian Studies supports summer study of Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and other Asian languages for students whose dissertation research requires it. Normally language programs should be advanced (second-year and beyond), intensive (full-time, at least four hours per day, five days per week, a minimum of eight weeks) and constitute the equivalent of one year of language study. 

We do not normally support the study of European languages, first year of an Asian language, or study at costly U.S.- based programs (e.g., Middlebury Summer School). 

Application deadlines for language programs vary and most occur before Princeton’s deadline for funding applications. Programs regularly supported include:

  • Chinese: Princeton-in-Beijing, Inter-University Program (Beijing), ICLP (Taiwan)
  • Japanese: Princeton-in-Ishikawa, Hokkaido International Foundation (Hakodate), Inter-University Center (Yokohama), KCJS
  • Korean: Princeton-in-Korea, Sogang University, Ewha Women's University, Yonsei University, Seoul National University
  • Classical Chinese and Japanese: Ca' Foscari University, Venice, Italy
  • Tibetan: University of Virginia, University of Wisconsin, Rangjung Yeshe Gomde, California

 

Application Process

You may apply for support for up to two study plans in the application, e.g. pre- or dissertation research or archival work in addition to an intensive language program. 

I. Proposal 

For research funding: a statement of approximately two pages, explaining the main goals of the dissertation and detailing the research to be undertaken. Include a list of archives, field sites, or interviews as appropriate. 
For language study: a statement of how the summer program advances progress towards proficiency and the relevance to your research. 

II. Budget

A detailed and reasonable budget of anticipated expenses is required. You are responsible for researching competitive pricing options. Indicate other sources of funding you are applying for, such as your home department, another Princeton program, or external (non-Princeton) grant. 

Allowable expenses: 

  • Language program tuition and fees
  • Economy class airfare
  • Airport transportation
  • Local transportation within country
  • Research expenses (fees for archive and library access, photocopies, photography
  • Lodging covered at 60% — if maintaining a primary residence, short-term accommodations fully covered with explanation

Expenses not supported: 

  • Food
  • Personal/family member travel
  • Books
  • Passport and visa fees
  • Cell phone / internet
  • Personal expenses (medications, laundry)                  

III.  A recommendation letter from your primary advisor should be uploaded into SAFE as prompted by 2/15/25.

 

Reporting

A final report must be submitted to the EAS Program (email to [email protected]) by October 1, 2025. Include a summary of the work accomplished and the use of funds. Append receipts for major expenses (airfare and transportation). Students who do not submit a report will not be eligible to apply for funding in subsequent years.