Thanks to a generous gift from the T.T. and W.F. Chao Foundation, the Chao Center for Asian Studies is pleased to offer competitive funding support towards the Asia-related academic and intellectual endeavors of students in the Department of Transnational Asian Studies. These fellowships are awarded with the goal of facilitating the initiation, completion, or development of either individual or collaborative research projects. A broad range of proposals may qualify for funding.
Chao Scholars Research Funding
Competitive grants are available only to majors in Transnational Asian Studies. Proposals are evaluated by the Chair and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Transnational Asian Studies, in collaboration with the faculty of the department.
- Fall or Spring | Funding for personal research project in mentoring relationship with a department faculty member. The annual award may reach but not exceed a total of $3,000 over two semesters for a maximum award of $1,500 per semester.
- Summer | Fully funded summer research. If full-time, award may reach but not exceed $3,500 per student. Part-time summer research awards will be considered.
- Summer travel grant for undergraduate Asia-related research but not necessarily limited to Asia as a destination. Maximum funding of $6,000.
Application Materials
- Resume
- One letter of support from the faculty mentor guiding the research
- Project title
- Project abstract of no more than 300 words. The abstract should:
- Explain the nature and significance of the project.
- Include a brief history of prior research or planning as well as a timeline for the completion of the project.
- Explain the significance of the project in the applicant’s own scholarly trajectory.
- Address the scope and resource materials of the research project and the relationship of the research to other published and ongoing work in the field.
Please compile the application materials into a single pdf document and email to asian.studies@rice.edu. Chao Scholar Grants are limited to majors in Transnational Asian Studies. No grants will be given to one individual in consecutive terms, unless there is a compelling reason to do so. In particular, the project must be completed before the student graduates. For example, a student graduating in May cannot apply for research funding to conduct a project in the summer. Similarly, a student graduating in December cannot apply for funding to conduct a project in the spring.
Deadlines
For Summer or Fall semester, application due by March 1
For Spring semester, application due by October 1
Advanced Undergraduate Research Award (AURA)
Through the generous support of the Gee Family Association, the Chao Center supports Asian Studies majors and minors to pursue interdisciplinary academic research, internship or pre-professional work experience, cultural study opportunities, and community service projects. Most awards range from $1,000 to $2,000. Recipients are required to submit a report or make a presentation at the beginning of the next semester. AURA grants are limited to majors and minors in Transnational Asian Studies. No grants will be given to one individual in consecutive terms, unless there is a compelling reason to do so. In particular, the project must be completed before the student graduates. For example, a student graduating in May cannot apply for research funding to conduct a project in the summer. Similarly, a student graduating in December cannot apply for funding to conduct a project in the spring.
Application Materials
- One letter of support from a faculty member, preferrably from the Department of Transnational Asian Studies
- A one-page description of your project, including a budget
Please compile the application materials into a single pdf document and email to asian.studies@rice.edu.
Deadlines
For Summer or Fall semester, application due by April 1
For Spring semester, application due by November 1
Reports from previous AURA recipients
Research Assistant Program
Research assistantships are available for Asian Studies majors and minors (and may be available for non-majors/minors by faculty request). Pay rate for the 2022-23 academic year will be $15 per hour and is available through a summer semester or academic year. This is an academic position, not for office tasks or teaching assistance. Students can apply individually to request a position, or optimally, faculty and student may apply together for a specific project. Rolling deadlines. Please check with the department and/or specific faculty member for information.