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
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.
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 |
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. |
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 |
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 |
Title | Description | Eligibility | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Asian American Arts Alliance - Van Lier Fellowship | Artistic mentorship program for NYC-based Asian American Theatre Artists in Acting and Directing | < Age 30, is not a part-time or full-time student during the fellowship period | NYC |