Nippon Foundation Fellowships for Asian Public Intellectuals

Brief description:

The Nippon Foundation Fellowships for Asian Public Intellectuals (API Fellowships Program) is designed to stimulate the creation of a pool of such intellectuals in the region. They aim to promote mutual learning among Asian public intellectuals and to contribute to the growth of public spaces in which effective responses to regional needs can be generated.  The goals of the fellowship are:

• To create and nurture a community of public intellectuals in the Asian region;
• To promote mutual learning among Asian public intellectuals; and
• To contribute to the growth of public spaces in which effective responses to regional needs can be generated.

The project may take several forms: research paper; film; series of journalistic articles; data gathering; building networks; work of art, etc., but must fulfill three conditions: it must NOT be part of your regular employment; it must contribute to the goals of the API Fellowships Program, and fit with the API themes; and it must have tangible output (research paper, film, photo essay, etc.).

The API Fellowships Program offers two (2) categories of Fellowships: API Senior Fellowships and API Fellowships. The categorization is based essentially on the age of the applicant.

Host Institution(s):

The project must be carried out in one or more of the API Participating Countries, but NOT in your native country or country of residence. The current Participating Countries are: Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.

You will need to find a Host Insitution in the country where you carry out the project.

Field of Studies/Themes:

• Changing Identities and their Social, Historical, and Cultural Contexts

• Reflections on the Human Condition and the Search for Social Justice

• Globalization: Structures, Processes, and Alternatives

Number of Awards:

Based on statistics from previous years, the number of fellowships awarded each year ranges from 25-28, roughly 4-6 per participating country.

Target group:

Asian Public Intellectuals  from Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.  Public Intellectuals are those academics, researchers, media professionals, artists, creative writers, NGO activists, social workers, public servants and others with moral authority who are committed to working for the betterment of society by applying their professional knowledge, wisdom and experience.

Scholarship value/inclusions:

•  A stipend and housing allowance for the time spent overseas on the project, the amount varies by country;

•  International transportation costs, for one round trip only;

•  Domestic transportation allowance;

•  Research allowance to cover computer costs, field expenses, books, tranlation fees, etc.; and

•  Travel insurance during the fellowship period.

Eligibility:

Anyone involved in the production and exchange of knowledge or ideas in line with the goals of API Fellowships Program. This includes academics, researchers, media professionals, artists, writers, NGO workers, social workers, public servants and others who work for the betterment of society.

General eligibility requirements:

• Applicants must hold the nationality or proper resident status in one of the five (5) Participating Countries and reside in the country at the time of application;

• Applicants must attend an interview at a designated date and place;

• The proposed project by the applicant must take place and should be completed within the period of July 1, 2013 to July 31, 2014 (Note: The fellowship period must be continuous.);

• Applicants must have a basic knowledge of English or a laungage(s) spoken in the country(ies) where the proposed research and/or activities are conducted; and

• Applicants must be based in the region/country and will continue to be so in the future.

Specific eligibility requirements for API  Senior Fellowships:

• Be 40 years of age or more as of August 31, 2012 (exceptions may be made);

• Have the ability and experience to conduct research projects and/or professional activities in the Participating Countries other than the applicant’s native country or country of residence;

• Undertake the proposed research projects and/or professional activities in up to four (4) of the Participating Countries, but in a country(ies) other than the applicant’s native country or country of residence;

• Undertake the proposed research projects and/or professional activities for a continuous period of between one (1) and twelve (12) months (Note: The fellowship period must be continuous.); and

• Have the ability, influence, and means to disseminate the results of their research projects and/or professional activities.

Specific eligibility requirements for API  Fellowships:

• Be under the age of 40 as of August 31, 2012 (exceptions may be made);

• Have the ability and desire to engage in research projects and/or professional activitites in the Participating Countries other than the applicant’s native or country of residence;

• Have a strong potential to contribute to their field in the future; Undertake the proposed research projects and/or professional activities for a consecutive period of between four (4) and twelve (12) months (Note: The fellowship period must be continuous.); and

• Undertake the proposed research projects and/or professional activities in up to two (2) of the Participating Countries, but in a country(ies) other than the applicant’s native country or country of residence.