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- What is the Fulbright Grant?
- Who administers the grant, and where do the funds come from?
- What are the different types of grants offered?
- How long are the grants for?
- Can I get an extension of my grant, or a renewal?
- How do I apply?
- When is the application deadline?
- What are the minimum requirements expected of Fulbright applicants?
- When do I find out if I have been awarded a grant?
- How many Fulbright grantees travel to Taiwan every year?
- How much money do Fulbright grantees receive, and when do they receive it?
- Where will I live? Does the Foundation provide housing?
- Where do I stay when I first arrive? Does the Foundation provide me with a hotel room?
- What about my family/girlfriend/boyfriend/fiance(e)/dog; can they come with me?
- Will the Fulbright organization help me make contacts related to my field of study?
- Do I need to create a report based on my experiences or research in the host country?
- What happens if I get sick while I'm in Taiwan?
- Does the Foundation provide insurance? Is medical care expensive?
- How do I travel to Taiwan? Will the organization book my plane ticket?
- What should I bring with me when I travel to Taiwan?
- Can I get an email account through the Foundation?
- Does the Foundation have printers and computers that grantees can use?
- What other benefits/services are available to grantees?
- If I want to study Chinese in Taiwan, or enroll at a university, what do I need to know?
- Who do I contact with more specific questions?
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What is the Fulbright Grant?
It is a grant for both American and foreign faculty, students, young professionals, and artists to travel to another country (or in the case of foreign faculty, to the U.S.) and reside there for a period of time while teaching, cond ucting research, language study, formally enrolling in classes, or carrying out some other project of their own design. This FAQ discusses the Fulbright grants available for Americans who would like to go to Taiwan; for grants available to citizens of Taiwan who would like to go to the U.S., please see http://www.saec.edu.tw (in Chinese), or Grants Overview(in English).
Who administers the grant, and where do the funds come from?
In the U.S., it is administered by the Institute for International Education (IIE) in New York, and by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) on behalf of the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which is also the main funding agency in the U.S. In the host countries, it is administered either by a binational Fulbright commission, or, in the absence of a Fulbright Commission, by the U.S. Embassy. The Foundation for Scholarly Exchange (FSE) in Taipei is the Fulbright commission in Taiwan that administers the grants. In Taiwan, as in some other countries, at least half the funding comes from local government and private sources.
What are the different types of grants offered?
For Taiwan, several grants are offered which are available to Americans: students (both study grants and English Teaching Assistant grants), intern, lecturer, and researcher. Some categories provide both full and partial grants. The full grants provide a stipend and other benefits, while the partial grants are intended only to supplement support that has been obtained by the applicant from another source.
How long are the grants for?
For lecturers, they are usually for ten months, but no less than five months. Study grants are for up to ten months, and no less than six months. The English Teaching Assistant grants are for 11 months. For researchers, they may be for two to ten months.
Can I get an extension of my grant, or a renewal?
No extension or renewal of the grant is permitted.
How do I apply?
If you are interested in a lectureship or research grant, you should contact Mr. David Adams (dadams@cies.iie.org) at CIES to obtain an application. Contact information for CIES is:
Council for International Exchange of Scholars
3007 Tilden St., NW, Suite 5L
Washington, DC 20008-3009
Tel.: 202-686-4021
http://www.cies.org
If you are interested in a student or intern grant, and are currently a student, you should obtain an application form from the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus. If not currently enrolled, or there is no Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus, contact the IIE regional office nearest you. A list of the addresses can be found at http://www.iie.org, or you can write or telephone the New York office to find out how to contact the nearest IIE office: U.S. Student Programs Division
Institute of International Education
809 United Nations Plaza
New York, New York 10017-3580
Ph. (212)984-5330
When is the application deadline?
At-large students (those not affiliated with a university) should submit them by the deadline designated by IIE, usually in the third week of October (as an example, Oct. 21, 2003 for the grant year beginning in September 2004). Enrolled students must submit the application by the deadline set by the Fulbright Program Adviser on their campus, which will usually be somewhat earlier than the deadline set by IIE.
The deadline for prospective lecturers and researchers is August 1 for the following academic year (i.e., August 1, 2004 for the academic year beginning in September 2005).
What are the minimum requirements expected of Fulbright applicants?
Applicants for student grants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application, and must hold at least a B.A. degree or its equivalent before the beginning date of the grant. They may not hold a doctoral degree at the time of application.
Applicants for a lecturer position should be U.S. citizens at the time of application; have at least three years teaching experience at the university level; hold a Ph.D. degree, and have publications in the last three years. There must also be an opening in their field; announcements of the openings can be found in CIES's publication Grants for U.S. Faculty and Professionals and on CIES's website: http://www.cies.org ).
Applicants for research scholar grants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application, hold a doctoral degree (except for applicants in a professional field or the arts, who may hold an M.A. or M.F.A., and have research publications in the last three years). If their field of research is traditional Chinese studies, they should have a good reading knowledge of Chinese. Research projects in any field of the social or behavioral sciences, humanities, business, or education that is relevant to understanding current conditions in Taiwan and that must be carried out in Taiwan, or in classical or contemporary Chinese studies are acceptable.
Partial grants for thosein any field, with financial support from other sources are also available.
When do I find out if I have been awarded a grant?
Applicants for most grants to Taiwan will be notified in mid-March at the earliest. Because some applicants are designated as alternates, and will not receive a grant unless someone else withdraws, it is possible that notification may be even later for them. There also some special grants with a different funding source, and recipients of those grants may also be notified at a later date.
The grant year begins in September for most grantees, but it is flexible. In general, student grants should start before December 31; lecturer grants must begin by the start of either the fall or spring semester. Researcher grants are the most flexible.
How many Fulbright grantees travel to Taiwan every year?
It varies, but the average is about 30 , of whom 10-12 may be lecturers or researchers, and the remainder are students, including 12 English Teaching Assistants. Beginning in September 2008, the number of English Teaching Assistants will be increased to 24.
How much money do Fulbright grantees receive, and when do they receive it?
The basic stipend for students and ETAs is NT$36,000 per month. In addition, they receive a round-trip ticket between their home in the U.S. and Taiwan; a total incidental allowance of NT$24,800, and a total baggage allowance of NT$20,000.
Lecturers and researchers receive stipends of approximately NT$70,000, plus an additional amount according to the number of accompanying dependents; round-trip economy class air transportation for themselves and one dependent; and incidental and baggage allowances which vary according to the number of accompanying dependents.
A settling-in allowance will be provided upon arrival, with the amount depending on the grantee’s location during the grant year. Subsequent stipend payments will be paid on the first of each month..
If a grantee leaves before the ten months are up, payments are reduced on a pro-rata basis.
Where will I live? Does the Foundation provide housing?
Only lecturers will be provided housing, and that is provided by the university where they are teaching, not by the Foundation. Researchers are provided a partial housing supplement to cover rent. Students usually rent a room in an apartment, either with a local family, or with other students.
Students usually spend between NT$5000-NT$10,000 for rent, depending on their living standard, while researchers, depending on where they are located, spend from NT$10,000-NT$25,000 per month.
Where do I stay when I first arrive? Does the Foundation provide me with a hotel room?
When you arrive at the airport, the Foundation's representative will meet you and take you to the Jade Garden, a low-cost but comfortable accommodation or to the Rich Gardens Hotel, a more upscale hotel. The Foundation will pay for you to stay at the Jade Garden for up to six nights, while you are searching for more permanent housing, or up to three nights at the Rich Garden Hotel. Lecturers who already have housing usually go directly to their housing, rather than to a hotel.
What about my family/girlfriend/boyfriend/fiance(e)/dog; can they come with me?
The Foundation supplements the grants of graduate students conducting research or language study, lecturers, and senior researchers, according to the number of family members who accompany the grantee to Taiwan and remain for 80% of the grant period. It will pay tuition at a local international school for up to two children per lecturer or researcher, but not for graduate students.
FSE will sponsor spouses and/or children of all grantees who will be accompanying the grantee for 80% of the grant period for resident visas. Other friends, or fiance(e)s, must shift for themselves as far as visas go.
Will the Fulbright organization help me make contacts related to my field of study?
The Foundation selects student and researcher grantees in large part on the quality and feasibility of the project they propose in their formal written application. The projects of successful applicants indicate that they already have done some preliminary research on possible affiliations and contacts, or have some contacts in Taiwan already. With this as a starting point, the Foundation is very willing to help facilitate communication, provide letters of introduction, etc. It is essential that the grantee let the Foundation know what he or she needs in this respect, as the Foundation does not assume primary responsibility for arranging the grantees' activities.
Lecturers who apply for a Fulbright grant are usually responding to a particular opening which the CIES has announced on the basis of information sent to it by the Foundation, which each year solicits requests from local universities about openings for a visiting American lecturer. Thus, the Foundation is responsible for arranging their primary affiliation.
Do I need to create a report based on my experiences or research in the host country?
Yes, you will be required to present written reports both at midyear and at the end of your stay.
What happens if I get sick while I'm in Taiwan?
For minor illnesses, much the same as in the U.S.: drink plenty of fluids, rest and take aspirin for fever! For more serious illnesses, the usual practice is to go to a clinic to consult a doctor. The larger medical facilities are modern, well-equipped, and of high quality, though the system of registration, consultation, and payment can be confusing during the first visit. Often, doctors who have their own private office also prepare and sell the medicine they prescribe. Most grantees have noted that local physicians, even those at large clinics, have a tendency to prescribe more medicine and antibiotics more readily, but for a shorter duration (usually just a three-day supply) than physicians in the U.S. Some antibiotics or medicines usually only available by prescription in the U.S. are available over the counter in Taiwan, but this practice is becoming less common as regulation of pharmacies becomes more stringent.
Does the Foundation provide insurance? Is medical care expensive?
The Foundation can provide grantees with National Health Insurance. However, dependents' coverage cannot begin until they have been in Taiwan for four months.
In addition, every grantee will be automatically covered by the U.S. State Department's group insurance. The U.S. State Department's coverage does not include dependents; though dependents' insurance is available from private sources, it is at the grantee's expense and somewhat more costly than the National Health Insurance coverage. The U.S. State Department group insurance covers a maximum of US$50,000 per injury or sickness, actual cost for medical evacuation if necessary, and up to $10, 00 for repatriation of remains.
Medical care is not as expensive as in the U.S., but if you have only your U.S. health insurance, or the U.S. State Department plan, you will have to pay first and then claim reimbursement. With the National Health Insurance, you have only to present your insurance card at each visit, and pay a very small nominal fee. The National Health Insurance also covers dental care.
How do I travel to Taiwan? Will the organization book my plane ticket?
The Foundation provides direct round-trip economy class air transportation from anywhere in the U.S. to Taiwan for all those who have received a full grant, and for one accompanying dependent(except for English Language Teaching Assistants, who do not have accompanying dependents) who will be accompanying the grantee for 80% of the grant.. The arrangements for booking tickets have differed from year to year. However, for the last several years, the Foundation has arranged with a travel agent in New York to book the tickets and bill the Foundation directly for the cost. Grantees receive specific instructions at the appropriate time regarding travel and visa arrangements.
What should I bring with me when I travel to Taiwan?
You can get almost anything in Taiwan that you may need. However, items such as over-the-counter medicines (e.g., aspirin, or cold medicines), vitamins, or cosmetics, deodorant and shaving accessories may be much higher priced and of a different quality or potency in Taiwan, so you may wish to bring an ample supply of whatever such items you may need. Also, if you are taller or heavier than the average Chinese (about 5 ft. 2" for women, 5ft. 9" for men, and usually slightly built), or if you require a shoe size larger than size 7 or 8, you should probably bring an ample supply of clothing and/or shoes for the year, or a good mail order catalog. It is also not easy to get computer programs in English, so you may wish to bring them with you. Grantees at various times have recommended bringing: sheets and towels, coffee, yellow legal pads, and "at least one 'nice' outfit to wear to the occasional special occasion such as a reception."
In general, almost everything is available here, but may be higher priced than in the U.S. If you are particularly concerned about availability or price of a particular item, you may contact the Foundation staff ahead of time.
Does the Foundation have printers and computers that grantees can use?
Yes, a few desktop computers are usually available at the Foundation for checking email or other short-term use, as well as a printer.
Can I get an email account and Internet access through the Foundation?
The Foundation does not provide email accounts for grantees. Most grantees use internet-based email accounts, or are able to obtain email accounts through their affiliated organization, such as the Center for Chinese Language and Culture Studies (Mandarin Training Center), a university, or Academia Sinica. There are also reasonably priced ISP's such as Seed.net or Hinet.
Does the Foundation have printers and computers that grantees can use?
A few desktop computers, as well as a printer, are usually available at FSE for checking email or other short-term use. But grantees are advised to bring their own laptop computers or purchase one in Taiwan after arrival, if their affiliating organization will not be providing a computer for their use.
What other benefits/services are available to grantees?
As mentioned, we will meet grantees at the airport, and provide transportation to a hotel where accommodations will be provided at the Foundation's expense for a few days while the grantee is locating housing. The Foundation provides a two-day orientation early in September; a 2-3-day midyear conference at a scenic spot in Taiwan; tickets to the Double Ten reception in October. and selected cultural events. Grantees may have a two-week paid leave during the grant year. At departure, the Foundation provides transportation to the airport.
Letters for visa and tax purposes and letters of introduction to research and educational facilities also help ease the way for grantees.
Grantees may spend up to 1/5 of their total grant period in mainland China, if needed for completion of a project. Though no additional funds are provided for transportation costs, the regular stipend is continued for the period on the mainland and is usually adequate.
Other services, from advice about the best bus route, or a recommended dentist, to expert advice on how to cure a balky laptop or notebook computer, to help with Chinese language assignments, may be provided as needed by FSE's staff, who are more than willing to help.
If I want to study Chinese in Taiwan, or enroll at a university, what do I need to know?
Be aware that some programs have early registration deadlines. For example, if you plan to enroll as a student at National Taiwan Normal University's Center for Chinese Language and Culture Studies (Mandarin Training Center) in September, you should register before June 1. The Center has a website at http://www.ntnu.edu.tw/mtc, where you can download its application form. Some students may also be interested in enrolling at what used to be known as the Stanford Center, or Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Study. It has now been turned over to National Taiwan University and is known as the International Chinese Language Program (ICLP; P.O. Box 13-204, Taipei, Taiwan; Fax, 886-2-2362-6926; http://ccms.ntu.edu.tw/~iclp ; email: tdiclc@ms.cc.ntu.edu.tw). It also has an application deadline of early June. Another Chinese language training school which has been found satisfactory by some of our grantees is the private Taipei Language Institute (http://www.tli.com.tw; email, tli@transend.com.tw.There are other language training centers which are listed on the Ministry of Education's website (http://www.edu.tw/bicer/english/e4.htm. English Teaching Assistants, based in I-Lan County, have found the Chinese language program at Fo Guang Humanities and Social Sciences College (http://www.fgu.edu.tw ) excellent.
Likewise, if you hope to be formally enrolled at a university (and thus have access to its libraries, email, swimming pools, etc.) your application should reach the university before April 30th of your grant year. Otherwise, you can only audit classes, and will not be permitted to take books out of the library or have access to any of the other privileges a formally enrolled student has. You can get instructions about how to apply from the following website:
http://www.edu.tw/EDU_WEB/EDU_MGT/MOECC/EDU1849001/ii7205/dp/wto_edulaw/wto-e24.htm
Who do I contact with more specific questions?
For questions about applying, and during the period up to final selection or non- selection by FSE, it is best to direct questions to IIE (students) or CIES (lecturers and researchers). Both organizations have websites that include a list of the previous year's grantees for your reference. Once FSE has selected you as a grantee, you may consult other areas of our website (e.g., profiles of grantees); Information Guide (to be sent to new grantees in May), and the grant documents which we will send. Before arrival, you may address questions directly to Dr. Wu Jing-jyi, our Executive Director (jjwu@saec.edu.tw). They will be routed to the appropriate person on the staff for reply.