2026-2027 Taiwan Program Visiting Fellowship at Stanford

If you are a scholar specializing in Taiwan studies or a mid-career researcher aiming to deepen your work on Taiwan’s future trajectories, the 2026-2027 Taiwan Program Visiting Fellowship at Stanford is now open for applications. The call invites you to spend a full academic year at Stanford’s APARC (Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center), collaborating with faculty and peers, accessing world-class resources, and producing cutting-edge research on Taiwan. Here's everything you need to know.

🎓 Fellowship Summary

• Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA (APARC / FSI)

• Host Center: Taiwan Program, Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC), Freeman Spogli Institute, Stanford

• Level: Visiting Fellowship (for mid-career / senior scholars or professionals)

• Target Group: Researchers and professionals with a PhD (or equivalent record) and a strong publication / professional track record; ideally mid-career but open to senior scholars.

• Fields of Focus: Contemporary Taiwan—especially issues of Taiwan’s economic, social, technological, environmental, and institutional adaptation in the decades ahead; interdisciplinary work drawing on social sciences, public policy, business, etc.

• Value & Coverage: Supplementary stipend of $30,000 for the academic year

• Duration: One academic year (starting in the autumn quarter of 2026)

• Start Date / Term: Autumn quarter 2026 (full year)

• Application Deadline: March 1, 2026

  
  

🧭 Fellowship Overview

The Taiwan Program Visiting Fellowship is designed for scholars or professionals who wish to conduct in-residence research on contemporary Taiwan under close intellectual exchange with Stanford faculty, APARC researchers, and visiting colleagues.

During the appointment:

• Fellows are expected to reside in Stanford for the full term and actively participate in APARC’s programming, colloquiums, seminars, and events.

• Fellows may collaborate through the Stanford Next Asia Policy Lab (SNAPL), especially on thematic ties between Taiwan research and Asia policy issues.

• Fellows will have access to Stanford’s library & research facilities, and may audit relevant courses (with instructor permission) at no extra tuition cost.

• They are also expected to support programmatic needs such as hosting colloquia, engaging with students or other researchers, or contributing to public / outreach events.

• Fellows may meet and interact with external stakeholders, policymakers, or partner institutions as part of their research and engagement.

In sum, the fellowship is both a research residency and a hub of scholarly exchange, aiming to deepen Taiwan studies while bridging policy and academic spheres.

🎁 Benefits & Coverage

• Stipend: USD 30,000 (supplementary) to support living and research costs during residency.

• Access to Stanford Resources: Library, databases, lab facilities, etc.

• Course Audit: Fellows can audit Stanford courses relevant to their work (with instructor permission) without tuition fees.

• Participation in Campus Events: Invitations to seminars, lectures, policy talks at APARC, FSI, and university-wide events.

• Networking & Collaboration: Opportunities to collaborate with Stanford faculty/students, and possibly engage policy partners via SNAPL or APARC’s networks.

ℹ️ One caveat: the stipend is supplementary, not necessarily covering full living costs in the Bay Area, so applicants should plan for supplemental funding or institutional support if needed.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the fellowship, an applicant must meet the following:

1. PhD degree or equivalent record of professional research / public policy work.

2. Affiliation with an outside (non-Stanford) institution or organization. You must come from and maintain an external institutional base.

3. Strong publication or professional record, especially in topics related to Taiwan and the region. Mid-career professionals are preferred.

4. Proficiency in English (for writing, presentation, interaction) because all application materials and work will be in English.

5. Commitment to in-residence presence for the full academic year and engagement with APARC activities.

📝 Application Procedure

To apply, follow these steps:

1. Online Application Form

   • Complete the application form in English (PDF uploads) via the portal designated by the Taiwan Program.

2. Upload Required Documents (in English, PDF format)

   • A formal letter of request (i.e. cover letter) including a detailed research proposal describing the work you intend to carry out during your residency.

   • A full academic curriculum vitae, including a list of publications and relevant achievements.

3. Letters of Reference

   • Submit two (2) letters of reference. The referees should send the letters via email to taiwanprogramfellowship@stanford.edu, including your legal name and email on top of each letter.

4. Submission & Deadline

   • The full application (form + documents + reference letters) must be received by March 1, 2026 to be considered.

5. Selection Process

   • Selection is based on prior professional achievement, publication record, and the quality, originality, and feasibility of the research proposal. Preference is given to mid-career researchers.

💡 Additional Notes

• Although the stipend is generous, the cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area is high; it’s wise to check and, if needed, supplement with support from your home institution, travel grants, or other funding.

• Because the fellowship emphasizes interdisciplinary, policy-relevant research, proposals that bridge academic insight with pragmatic relevance (e.g. comparative frameworks, policy implications, regional linkages) will likely stand out.

• Engage with current and past fellows, if possible, to gauge expectations, environment, and possible pitfalls.

• Start contacting referees early, giving them ample time (including a draft of your proposal) so their letters can be strong and timely.