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Blakemore Refresher Grants

Short-Term Grants for Advanced Asian Language Study

Blakemore Refresher Grants provide funding for short-term language study for periods of two months (minimum) or longer (but less than an academic year).

Blakemore Refresher Grants are available only to:

bulletFormer Blakemore or Blakemore Freeman Fellows;
bulletCollege professors teaching in an Asian field at a university or college in the United States or post-doctoral professionals whose degree and work is in an Asian field;
bulletGraduates of the advanced-level academic-year program at the Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies in Yokohama, the Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies at Tsinghua University in Beijing or the International Chinese Language Program at National Taiwan University in Taipei.

The major differences between Blakemore Freeman Fellowships and Blakemore Refresher Grants are: 

bulletLimited eligibility
bulletShorter grant term
bulletModified list of supporting documents which should accompany application
Eligible Languages
Grants will be made for advanced study of the same principal modern languages of East and Southeast Asia as are available for Blakemore Freeman Fellowships.  Click here for further information. 
Eligible Language Programs/Length of Grant
Blakemore Refresher Grants will be awarded for advanced-level language programs in Asia that are a minimum of two months up to a period less than an academic year at:
bulletInter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies in Yokohama, Japan (IUC)
bulletInter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies at Tsinghua University (IUP)
bulletInternational Chinese Language Program at National Taiwan University (ICLP)
bulletTutorials in those countries where there are no advanced-level structured programs
Selection Criteria
The same criteria used for the regular Blakemore Freeman Fellowships shall apply to the Blakemore Refresher Grants:
bulletA focused, well-defined career objective involving Asia in which regular use of the language is an important aspect.
bulletThe potential to make a significant contribution to a field of study or area of professional or business activity in an Asian country.
bulletPrior experience in the Asian country or involvement or participation in activities related to the country.
bulletGood academic, professional or business background, appropriate to the career program.
Amount of Grant
Tuition, plus a maintenance stipend for travel, living and study expenses similar to that provided for regular Blakemore Freeman Fellowships.
Stipend amounts are reviewed annually by the Foundation in order to consider current exchange rates and changes in the cost of living.

Applications from former Blakemore Fellows or Blakemore Freeman Fellows
Since the Foundation already has a substantial file on former Blakemore Fellows, an application for a Refresher Grant by a former Blakemore or Blakemore Freeman Fellow shall consist of a written request stating the applicant's prior Blakemore grant, the proposed language program and the proposed dates of study. The request should include a statement of why additional language study is desired and how the applicant has used the language since last receiving a Blakemore grant.

Applications from all other eligible persons
Applications from all other eligible persons shall consist of:
 
bulletCompleted application form
 
bulletEssay (three to four pages in length, double-spaced) discussing:
bulletReason for advanced study
bulletPrior study and use of the language and involvement with the Asian country
bulletCareer objectives and how the language will be used to achieve them
 
bulletOne recent letter of recommendation from individual familiar with applicant's academic, professional or business experience
 
bulletCurriculum vitae (applicable only to college professors and other post-doctoral professionals)
 
bulletLatest official college transcript (applicable only to those who have not yet received their doctorate)
 
bulletIf there is no approved advanced-level language program available in a country, an applicant
may propose a program combining study in an ordinary language program supplemented
by private tutorials. If no language program exists at all in the country, an applicant may
propose a program of full-time tutorials. Applicants for programs involving tutorials should
submit the following additional information with their application:
bulletInformation on the proposed language program
bulletInformation regarding the proposed tutors' professional qualifications
bulletBudget for estimated tutoring expenses
bulletFor full-time tutorial programs only, evidence (such as a letter from a
knowledgeable university professor) that no appropriate language program exists
in the Asian country
bulletFor full-time tutorial programs only, the applicant's proposed affiliation during
the grant period with a recognized educational institution in the Asian country
bulletApplications shall be considered once a year, with a postmark due date of
December 30.

 
Other sources of funding for summer study

The Critical Language Scholarships for Intensive Summer Institutes offer funding for beginning, intermediate and advanced level summer language programs at American Overseas Research Centers and affiliated partners.  Applicants must be currently be enrolled in a degree-granting program at the undergraduate or graduate level, or have graduated from an undergraduate or graduate program no more than 2 years ago.
 

 

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Last modified: 04/24/2008
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