MOFA Taiwan Fellowship

Overview

The MOFA Taiwan Fellowship is a research grant from Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for foreign scholars, academics, and doctoral researchers who work on topics connected to Taiwan, cross-strait relations, the Asia-Pacific region, and Chinese studies (Sinology). It is not a degree-seeking scholarship. Instead, it funds a research stay of between three and twelve months at a university or academic institution in Taiwan, allowing fellows to pursue original research in an environment with direct access to Taiwanese archives, scholars, and primary sources.

The fellowship is administered through the National Central Library (NCL) in Taipei and is open to foreign professors, associate and assistant professors, post-doctoral researchers, doctoral candidates, and doctoral students working within the social sciences or humanities. The two-tier grant structure reflects academic rank: senior scholars (professors and research fellows) receive a higher monthly grant than early-career researchers and doctoral-level applicants.

For researchers focused on Taiwan, cross-strait politics, or the broader Sinophone world, the fellowship offers both financial support and geographic proximity to the subject matter. A twelve-month stay in Taiwan gives you access to the National Central Library's collections, university research centers, government archives, and an active community of scholars in related fields — resources that are genuinely difficult to replicate from outside Taiwan.

Key Facts at a Glance

Item	Details
Funding Body	Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan)
Administered By	National Central Library, Taiwan
Host Country	Taiwan
Fellowship Type	Research stay (not a degree program)
Duration	3 to 12 months
Monthly Grant (Senior)	NTD 60,000 (professors and research fellows)
Monthly Grant (Early-Career)	NTD 50,000 (assistant professors, post-docs, doctoral candidates and students)
Airfare	One round-trip economy airfare included
Insurance	Accident/medical insurance up to NTD 1,000,000
Application Period	1 May to 30 June annually, for grants covering January–December of the following year
Official Website	taiwanfellowship.ncl.edu.tw

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Position Requirements

You must currently hold one of the following positions: professor, associate professor, assistant professor, research fellow, post-doctoral researcher, doctoral candidate, or doctoral student. The fellowship is not open to master's students or undergraduate researchers.

Research Focus Requirements

Your research must fall within the social sciences or humanities and must focus on one or more of these areas: Taiwan-related studies, cross-strait relations, mainland China studies, the Asia-Pacific region, or Chinese studies (Sinology). Proposals outside these thematic areas are not eligible.

Nationality and Enrollment Restrictions

You must be a foreign national. This fellowship is specifically for non-ROC researchers. It is a research fellowship, not a degree program — you cannot use it to enroll in or pursue a Taiwanese degree qualification during your stay.

What the Scholarship Covers

• Monthly grant of NTD 60,000 for professors and research fellows
• Monthly grant of NTD 50,000 for assistant professors, post-doctoral researchers, doctoral candidates, and doctoral students
• One round-trip economy class airfare between your home country and Taiwan
• Accident and medical insurance coverage of up to NTD 1,000,000 for the duration of your stay

The fellowship does not cover accommodation — you are responsible for arranging and funding housing during your stay in Taiwan.

How to Apply

1. Review the official guidelines: Visit taiwanfellowship.ncl.edu.tw and read the current-year guidelines, terms of agreement, and FAQ sections before preparing any materials.
2. Prepare your research proposal: Write a clear and specific research plan describing your topic, your methodology, the archives or institutions in Taiwan you plan to engage with, and your intended outputs during the fellowship period.
3. Gather required documents: Assemble your academic CV, research proposal, proof of academic position, transcripts or degree certificates, and any other materials listed in the current guidelines.
4. Submit your application online: Complete the online application through the Taiwan Fellowship portal during the 1 May to 30 June application window.
5. Identify a Taiwanese host institution: You will need to affiliate with a university or academic institution in Taiwan. Identify a suitable host before submitting — some application procedures require a host institution letter.
6. Await selection results: The fellowship covers grants for January through December of the following year. Results are communicated after the selection process concludes.

Required Documents

• Completed online application form
• Academic curriculum vitae
• Research proposal or study plan for the intended Taiwan stay
• Proof of academic position (appointment letter, employment certificate, or equivalent)
• Degree certificates or transcripts (for doctoral candidates and students)
• Passport copy
• Letter of affiliation or support from a Taiwanese host institution (if required in current guidelines)
• Any additional materials specified by the National Central Library for the current cycle

Key Dates & Deadlines

Event	Timing
Application period opens	1 May
Application deadline	30 June
Fellowship grant period covered	January to December of the following year

Applications submitted between 1 May and 30 June are for research stays taking place in the following calendar year. Plan your research timeline and travel arrangements accordingly.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Write a research proposal that is specific about which archives, collections, or scholars in Taiwan you intend to engage with — generic proposals about "Taiwan studies" are weaker than plans that name particular institutions or datasets.
• Contact a Taiwanese university department or research center in your field before applying to establish a host relationship; a letter from a Taiwanese institution strengthens your application considerably.
• Align your proposed research clearly with one of the stated thematic areas — Taiwan studies, cross-strait relations, Asia-Pacific, or Sinology. Proposals that span unrelated topics dilute the focus.
• Justify the duration you're requesting (3–12 months) with a realistic work plan showing what you can accomplish within that time.
• Review previous MOFA Taiwan Fellowship recipients' institutions and research areas (if publicly listed) to understand what the program has historically funded.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying as a master's student or undergraduate — the fellowship requires doctoral-level status at minimum.
• Proposing research topics that fall outside the social sciences/humanities or that are not related to Taiwan, cross-strait relations, China, Asia-Pacific, or Sinology.
• Treating this as a degree scholarship — it funds a research stay only, and you cannot use it to enroll in a degree program.
• Missing the 30 June deadline; the annual window is firm and there is no rolling admissions process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MOFA Taiwan Fellowship?

It is a research grant from Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for foreign academics and doctoral researchers to conduct research on Taiwan, cross-strait relations, the Asia-Pacific, or Sinology at Taiwanese universities or academic institutions for 3 to 12 months.

Who is eligible for the MOFA Taiwan Fellowship?

Foreign professors, associate and assistant professors, post-doctoral researchers, doctoral candidates, and doctoral students whose research falls within social sciences or humanities related to Taiwan, cross-strait relations, mainland China, the Asia-Pacific, or Chinese studies.

How much does the MOFA Taiwan Fellowship pay per month?

NTD 60,000 per month for professors and research fellows, and NTD 50,000 per month for assistant professors, post-doctoral researchers, doctoral candidates, and doctoral students.

Does the MOFA Taiwan Fellowship include airfare?

Yes. One round-trip economy class airfare is included for each fellowship recipient.

What is the deadline for the MOFA Taiwan Fellowship?

Applications are accepted from 1 May to 30 June each year, for research stays taking place in January through December of the following year.

How long is the MOFA Taiwan Fellowship?

The research stay can be between 3 and 12 months, depending on your proposed research plan.

Can a doctoral student apply for the MOFA Taiwan Fellowship?

Yes. Doctoral candidates and enrolled doctoral students are eligible, provided their research is in the social sciences or humanities and focuses on an eligible thematic area. Master's students and undergraduates are not eligible.

Does the MOFA Taiwan Fellowship cover accommodation?

No. The fellowship covers monthly grants, airfare, and insurance, but not housing. You are responsible for arranging and funding your own accommodation in Taiwan.

Is the MOFA Taiwan Fellowship for degree study?

No. It is a research fellowship for scholars and doctoral researchers conducting advanced research. You cannot use it to enroll in or pursue a degree program in Taiwan.

Where do I apply for the MOFA Taiwan Fellowship?

Applications are submitted through the Taiwan Fellowship portal at taiwanfellowship.ncl.edu.tw, administered by the National Central Library. Visit the site during the 1 May – 30 June window to apply.