The MOFA Taiwan Fellowship funds an international researcher to conduct a scientific study in Taiwan. Meet the eligibility requirement and submit an application before June 30. This post explains the application process for the MOFA Taiwan Fellowship to help an investigator secure funding. MOFA established this program to support advanced study. A 2023 study by an investigator at the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) examined the impact of an international fellowship on scholar retention. The research found that providing a financial grant to cover a research expense increased program completion by 15% by reducing financial stress.
The fellowship encourages advanced study within 3 academic disciplines (political science, history, and literature). A candidate conducts a research project on 3 regional topics (Sinology, cross-strait interaction, Indo-Pacific geopolitics). This initiative helps a recipient strengthen an application before the final closing date. A scholar achieves 3 distinct outcomes (knowledge acquisition, skill development, and network expansion) if the individual completes the project successfully. Consequently, an applicant prepares 3 specific documents (an academic resume, a research proposal, and a letter of recommendation) to meet all eligibility requirements.
A selected scholar receives a monthly stipend and a round-trip airplane ticket to secure funding. The minimum program duration is 3 months (January, February, March). The maximum program duration is 12 months (January, June, and December). The application timeline involves 3 critical dates (a May 1 opening, a June 30 online deadline, and a July 1 physical submission deadline). This post provides a comprehensive overview of the fellowship requirement to assist a global researcher.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Advanced Research
- Location: Taiwan
- Institution(s): A Taiwanese university or academic organization
- Program Period: 3 months (January, February, March) to 12 months (January, June, December)
- Course offered: Social science and cultural study
- Deadline: June 30 annually
Scholarship Coverage
The financial coverage of the MOFA Taiwan Fellowship includes a monthly stipend, a round-trip ticket, and an insurance policy. A professor receives a monthly stipend of NT$60,000. An assistant professor receives a monthly stipend of NT$50,000. The program provides one round-trip economy-class ticket to subsidize a travel expense. The award includes an accident insurance policy with a coverage limit of NT$1 million. This insurance covers medical expenses up to NT$50,000 for accidental injuries. A recipient can secure funding through this financial package.
Eligibility Criteria
There are three key eligibility requirements for the MOFA Taiwan Fellowship:
- An academic position
- A relevant research topic
- Foreign nationality.
An eligible applicant must be a foreign national. The program accepts a professor, a postdoctoral investigator, or a doctoral candidate. A candidate who currently conducts research in Taiwan is ineligible. The research topic must focus on a specific field, such as Sinology, cross-strait interaction, or regional geopolitics. An investigator must meet eligibility criteria (foreign nationality, academic rank, relevant research topic) to obtain the grant.
Application Process
To complete the application process for the MOFA Taiwan Fellowship, a candidate must submit an application online by following four steps, mail the printed form with supporting documents (an academic resume, a research proposal, and a recommendation letter) to a local representative office, and secure a research consent letter from a Taiwanese institution.
Step 1: Fill out the online form. An applicant must complete the digital registration on the official platform.
Step 2: Prepare the document package. A candidate must compile supporting documents, such as an academic resume, a research proposal, and a recommendation letter. The research proposal must follow a standard research format. The candidate must secure 2 recommendation letters (a departmental endorsement, a peer testimonial, and a professional reference).
Step 3: Mail the physical file. The applicant must print the online form. The individual must send the printed form to the nearest R.O.C. representative office by post.
Step 4: Secure institutional agreement. A candidate must contact a Taiwanese university to obtain a letter of consent for research. The candidate must submit this letter to the fellowship team to receive a final grant authorization letter. An applicant must request a visa from a local embassy if the candidate receives the official grant authorization letter.
Deadline
The official deadline for the submission of the online application is June 30 annually. The application portal opens on May 1 annually. The applicant must submit the physical document to the local representative office by July 1 annually.
