Other Opportunities

Whether you're searching for an alternative to the Light Fellowship or looking for other ways to study abroad, do research, or work in East Asia, there are many funding opportunities available both at Yale and through national competitions.

TOC: Other Opportunities in East-Asia

Yale Fellowships for currently enrolled undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students

Search other Yale fellowships on the Student Grants Database. Use the filters to enter class year, type of project you intend to propose, and region to get a full list of possible fellowships for which you can apply. Please note some fellowships are available to certain residents of certain Residential Colleges.

Depending on your project, you might consider applying to:

The CIPE Summer Research Fellowship Common Application - The Common Application encompasses funding for a projects in International Internships, Government Service internships, Non-Profit and Community Service Internships, Summer Projects, including research, and Journalism internships. Students are responsible for proposing their own projects and previous students have received funding for projects in East-Asia.

You can also consider the Macmillan Center Grants in East Asia - Students may apply to these grants through the student grants database as well. The Macmillan center offers fellowships and grants for language study, research, and internships. We encourage students to look through the "center-wide fellowships" to determine whether your project might fit one of these opportunities.

External opportunities for currently enrolled undergraduate, and graduate school students

Name of Fellowship	Type of Opportunity	Eligibility	Language/Locations
Critical Language Scholarship by U.S. Dept. of State	Summer language study	U.S. Citizens enrolled at the time of application (incl. graduate)	Supports many languages incl. Chinese, Japanese, and Korean
Boren Awards	Language Study	U.S. Citizens enrolled at time of application (incl. graduate)	Supports experiences outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program	Study Abroad or Internship	Undergraduates who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding	Languages incl. Japanese, Chinese, and Korean - eligible for additional Critical Need Language Award
Freeman-Asia Awards	Study Abroad	Undergraduate U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents demonstrating financial need	Includes Japanese, Chinese, and Korean
U.S. - Japan Bridging Scholarships	Study Abroad (Term & Academic Year)	U.S. Citizens enrolled in undergraduate programming	Japan
The Watanabe Scholarship	Study Abroad	U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents demonstrating financial need (incl. graduate students)	Japan
The Blakemore Freeman Fellowships	Language Study	U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents who hold a B.A. by the start of the grant	Chinese, Japanese, and Korean eligible (among others)
The National Bureau of Asian Research - Chinese Language Fellowship Program	Language study	U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents enrolled in Ph.D programs or enrolled Master's students with intention to pursue Ph.D	Chinese
The National Bureau of Asian Research - Ellings-Korduba Research Fellowship Program	Policy -relevant scholarly research	Graduate students or advanced undergraduate students with a focus on Asia and Policy, U.S. Citizens	Focus on Asia
Korea Foundation Fellowship for Korean Language Training	Language Study	M.A./Ph.D. students and faculty members in the field of Korean studies, professionals involved in Korea-related activities	Korean
Korea Foundation Fellowship for Field Research	Research	ABD PH.D. Students or professors in a professional or research field	Korean
Huayu Enrichment Scholarship (HES) by Taiwan Ministry of Education	Language Study	U.S. citizens may apply for 3 month, 6 month, or 9 month scholarships through the Taiwan Education and Cultural Resource Office that corresponds with their permanent address. International Students should check with Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs in their passport country	Chinese
UM-SJTU Joint Institute - "Trip.com Group Scholarship"	Study Abroad in China	US Citizens with a GPA of at least 3.6 eligible Term and Summer study	China
International Student Conferences (Japan, Korea, China)	Student-run conference where multiple nationalities are represented	See website for more details.	Japan- America Student Conference, Korea-America Student Conference, China-America Student Conference
Amgen Scholars Asia	Summer Research in Biotech and Technology	Enrolled in undergraduate study, intending to continue study after summer	Japan, Singapore
Explorer Club Discovery Expedition Grants	Independent Research in Biological sciences, archaeology, anthropology, paleontology, earth sciences, ecology, and astronomy, as well as exploratory projects that reveal new knowledge about the planet and its inhabitants, including regions undergoing environmental or cultural chang with emphasis on storytelling	18 y/o +	Project dependent
Discovery Rising Explorer Grant	Field Research	Undergraduates	Project dependent
Rolex Explorers Club Grant	Field Research	Young Researchers (under 35)	Project dependent
National Science Foundation East-Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes for Graduate Students	See website for more details.	U.S. graduate students in science, engineering, and education	For students with research experience in China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Singapore (and more)
The Korea Society Undergraduate Korea Study Abroad Travel Grant	Travel grant for Korea Study Abroad	U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled as undergraduate students in an accredited U.S. college or university	Korea
Global Research Immersion Program for Young Scientists (GRIPS)	Research and Cultural exchange in China (Yangtze River Delta Region Universities)	Students who have completed 2 years of undergraduate study	China
USTC Future Scientist Exchange Program	Research and Cultural exchange	Physics, Chemistry, Material Sciences, Life Sciences, Medicine, completed 2 years of undergraduate study	China
Hou Family Fellowships in Taiwan Studies	Taiwan-focused research for 6 - 12 months	1 post-doctoral fellow, 1 pre-doctoral fellow	Taiwan
Funds for Education Abroad	A consortium of fellowships, apply based on eligibility	View website for more details - dedicated to underrepresented American college students	Various Countries
Friends of UTokyo FUTI Scholarships	For short-term programs held at GUC or UTokyo	Must be a student in the U.S., U.S. citizenship not required	Japan
CUHK - Shenzhen 2025 Summer Study Tour	For a 10-day tour of Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Hongkong through the lense of culture, education, and innovation	Must be a U.S., UK, or EU citizen	China
Fudan University International Summer Session (FISS)	40week English-taught program in Shanghai	College Students 18+ with English Proficiency	China

Funding for Post-Graduate Study in East-Asia

Name of Fellowship	Type of Opportunity	Eligibility	Country
The Academy of Korean Studies by Ministry of Education (Republic of Korea)	Master's Degree, Ph.D., and non-degree Research Program, incl. language study	Foreign scholars incl. Korean nationals with permanent residence status in other countries	South Korea
Overseas Koreans Foundation	Bachelor's, Masters and Doctorate programs	Overseas Koreans who are citizens, permanent residents or legal long-term residents of the country in which they reside	South Korea
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) Program	Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. coursework	For Graduate programs: must hold a Bachelor's degree by the date of arrival	South Korea
Taiwan Scholarship by the Education Division of Ministry of Education, Taiwan	Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D.	U.S. Citizens may apply through local Taiwan representative office. Other nationals should seek information from officials in passport country. Graduate Degree seekers must possess B.A. at time of application.	Taiwan
Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program	For one year of study at a Japanese University	U.S. Citizens can apply through office corresponding to their home state. Non U.S. Citizens must contact Japanese officials in their passport country	Japan
Yung-Wing Scholarship (Chinese Government Scholarship-Bilateral Program)	For enrollment in a graduate-level program in Mainland China	Yale students, graduating seniors, graduate students should apply through the student grants database. Recent Alumni are also eligible and can inquire with the relevant adviser. Explore eligible programs here.	Mainland China
Yenching Academy	For 2- yr Master's degree in China studies	Complete a Bachelor's degree before embarking New: "Youth of Excellence Scheme of China Program Chinese Government Scholarship// Zhuoyue Scholarship" available to alumni with 3+ consecutive years of employment experience" - see site for more details.	Beijing, China
Schwarzman Scholars Program	For 1-yr Master's Degree in IR, Public Policy, or Econ & Business	Graduating Seniors or recent Alumni	Mainland China
Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship	For advanced study in Architecture, Art, Dance, Music, Theatre, or Urban Planning	Graduating Seniors	In the U.S. and Abroad
Explore Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs for More Funding Opportunities	Sort by citizenship, area of study, etc.	International Affairs Graduate School and Research Fellowship and Scholarship

Opportunities for Post-Graduate Internships, Work, or Teaching in Asia

Title	Type of Opportunity	Eligibility	Location
Parker Huang Undergraduate Travel Fellowship	Supports one year of study, research, or work abroad in non-English speaking countries	Yale College Juniors and Seniors who are U.S. Citizens	East Asia, Africa, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Eastern Europe, Russia, Latin America, MIddle East
Yale - China Fellowship	A two-year opportunity to teach and be part of a Chinese school community	Yale University graduates incl. Yale College and Yale Professional Schools	See website for more details on cities represented.
Luce Scholars Program	Provides placement at a 10-month internship in Asia	U.S. citizens and permanent residents; graduating seniors, graduate students and young professions with limited exposure to Asia	Asia (19+ countries represented)
Princeton in Asia	Arranges fellowships and internships with host organizations that contribute to global issues at the local level	See requirements here.	Asia
Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Programs	Places Fulbrighters in classrooms abroad as English Language Teaching Assistants	Apply through the Student Grants' Database - Deadline in early Fall	Many East-Asian countries incl. South Korea and Taiwan
Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET)	Places participants in public and private schools in Japan as Assistant Language Teachers or interpreters/translators	See requirements here.	Japan
Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program (TFETP)	1-year contract teaching English in Taiwan public school	See requirements here.	Taiwan
Ambassador Year in China Program	1-year contract to teach English in Chinese public school	See requirements here.	China
Institute of Current World Affairs Fellowship	2 year writing fellowships (foreign affairs or cultures) - See website for more details on topics for upcoming year.	See requirements here. Interest letter deadline: Late May	Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Francophone Africa or Asia
American India Foundation's Banyan Impact Fellowship for Service in India	Propose a project witha local organization that is registered in India.	For U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, or Indian Citizens	India
I: Project Space	Residency studio for visiting artists from China and abroad	See website.	Beijing, China
Institute for Provocation	Beijing-based workspace and think tank hosting residencies, research projects, workshops, and lectures stretching borders between art, architecture, and design.	See website.	Beijing, China
Red Gate Residency	International artists residency program providing artists, curators, writers, and academics the opp to live and create work in China.	See website	China
VELD Fellowship (Vocation, Education, and Leaders)	Work and Language Study in Taiwan	Recent College Grads	Taiwan