Mar 28, TFD Visiting Fellowship Program

About the TFD Visiting Fellowship Program

As the first national democracy assistance foundation in Asia, the TFD promotes research on global democracy and human rights to deepen understanding of democratic development theories and practices. To that end, the TFD has established a Visiting Fellowship Program to support international scholars and practitioners interested in carrying out field research in Taiwan or conducting studies that compare or contrast Taiwan’s democratic experiences with those of other countries. The TFD offers four categories of fellowships: International Visiting Fellowships, Postdoctoral Fellowships, Dissertation Fellowships, and Democracy and Human Rights Service Fellowships.

Program Objectives

International Visiting Fellowship: One of the TFD’s core purposes is to promote research into global democratic and human rights development, in order to advance democracy-building theory and practice. In particular, the TFD aims that this program will promote contacts and networking with Taiwanese academic and civil society counterparts, encourage the development of cooperative international projects, and support research and writing of those working in the field of democracy and human rights.

Postdoctoral Fellowship: The Postdoctoral Fellowship is designed for international scholars who have recently received their PhDs and wish to conduct research to begin their academic careers. The TFD hopes that through an active exchange of ideas and expertise with Taiwanese academics, practitioners, NGOs, and think tanks, Postdoctoral Fellows may share their experience to further encourage the study of democracy and human rights in Taiwan and internationally.

Dissertation Fellowship: As the TFD recognizes the importance of supporting the next generation of democracy and human rights scholars and practitioners, the Dissertation Fellowship is designed to provide a unique opportunity to share Taiwan’s democracy and human rights development with international doctoral candidates who are pursuing relevant research.

Democracy and Human Rights Service Fellowship: Unlike the Dissertation Fellowship and the Postdoctoral Fellowship, which are designed for academic research, the Democracy and Human Rights Service Fellowship encourages international students and practitioners to undertake practical projects that improve the quality of democracy or human rights protection in Taiwan.

The TFD hopes that Democracy and Human Rights Fellows can both make substantial contributions to democracy and human rights in Taiwan and take valuable knowledge back to their own countries.

Eligibility by Category

International Visiting Fellowship

You are a well-established scholar or expert in the field of democracy or human rights devoted to the promotion and building of democracy and human rights.

You intend to undertake research related to Taiwan’s democracy or human rights or engage in a democracy or human rights promotion project.

You are not a citizen of Taiwan.

Postdoctoral Fellowship

You have a PhD in a field that is relevant to your proposed research.

You received your PhD no more than seven years ago.

You intend to undertake research related to Taiwan’s democracy or human rights.

You are not a citizen of Taiwan.

Dissertation Fellowship

You are enrolled in a full-time PhD program or equivalent in a field related to your proposed research topic.

You have completed all your PhD requirements (except for your dissertation) before your application.

You intend to undertake research related to Taiwan’s democracy or human rights.

You are not a citizen of Taiwan.

Democracy and Human Rights Service Fellowship

You are a practitioner devoted to the promotion or building of democracy or human rights (and have an MA in a relevant field or at least two years of relevant work experience) at the time of application.

You intend to undertake a project designed to promote democracy or human rights in Taiwan.

You are not a citizen of Taiwan.

Funding Rules

The Fellowship will include a monthly stipend to assist with living expenses in Taiwan and the cost of a round-trip plane ticket to Taipei for fellows who are outside Taiwan.

The duration of the research funded by TFD generally falls within a range between 3-6 months. The monthly stipend for the Dissertation Fellowship falls within a range of NT$40,000 – NT$45,000 per month, while it falls within a range of NT$45,000 – NT$ 55,000 for the other three categories, according to the evaluation of our reviewers.

Please note that an individual may not undertake any outside employment or fellowships during TFD fellowship period. For example, if you receive both a TFD Fellowship and a Taiwan Fellowship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the same calendar year, you will have to choose one of the programs for that year. Therefore, applicants who have applied for or received any funding from MOFA should notify your case officer or the fellowship program officer ([email protected]).

Before Project Completion

By the end of the fellowship, fellows are required to give a public presentation on the results of their fellowship research.

The Dissertation Fellows are required to submit a copy of the final draft of their doctoral dissertation upon its completion; the dissertation should include an acknowledgement of the support of the TFD.

The Postdoctoral Fellows are required to complete a substantial piece of writing for publication, which should include an acknowledgement of the support of the TFD.

For other types of publications that fellows produce as a result of their fellowships, they are encouraged to acknowledge the TFD’s support whenever appropriate. However, the TFD generally does not undertake to publish the research or writings of fellows, nor does the TFD take responsibility for the content of such work.

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; TFD Visiting Fellowship Program

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