Field Research and Training Grants
Call for Proposals
Institute of East Asian Studies
Faculty-led Field Research and Training Grants, 2010-11
Program Description
Funded by the Haas Chair endowment at the Institute of East Asian Studies (IEAS), the new Faculty-led Field Research and Training Grants program supports UC Berkeley faculty who wish to lead research trips to East Asia with groups of 3-5 doctoral students for a maximum of three weeks. Available in any field of East Asian studies, these grants are intended to strengthen graduate student training through hands-on research and orientation opportunities outside of the classroom. Grants may be used to familiarize students with historical archives, to visit field research sites, or to facilitate short-term participation in institutional research projects underway in East Asia. The grants are intended primarily to introduce doctoral students to field resources, methodologies and contacts relevant to their studies and to develop students’ expertise in working in foreign environments. The grants are not intended to support faculty travels to conduct the faculty member’s own research projects, unless that project is specifically designed to introduce students systematically to research methodologies and resources.
Proposals are invited from any UC Berkeley ladder rank faculty member who will serve as group leader. One additional faculty member (who can be a non-East Asianist) may be invited if beneficial for broadening training opportunities and offering comparative perspectives. A minimum of three and maximum of five doctoral students should be committed to joining the field research trip at the time of application.
Funding will cover round trip economy class international airfare, visa costs, lodging (students should be accommodated in double rooms, if possible), meals, local transportation within East Asian countries, and any fees necessary to conduct the field training, including stipends for local collaborators. A detailed budget with a breakdown of expected costs is required at the time of application. The maximum award will not exceed $35,000 and most grants are expected to be for less. Costs should be kept reasonable, and grantees will be reimbursed up to the approved budget once awarded.
The faculty lead will be responsible for the group’s administration and adherence to the International Group Travel policies of UC Berkeley. The IEAS will provide limited clerical assistance (i.e. help with booking and paying air transportation, business transactions, reimbursement upon return, etc).
The faculty lead will be expected to submit, at the end of award period, a final report on the group’s field research and training activities.
Application and Deadlines
Proposals for Faculty-led Field Research and Training Grants at IEAS may come from any UC Berkeley ladder-rank faculty member who specializes in an East Asian studies discipline. Proposals from the sciences and professional schools are welcome, provided the research training focuses on subject matter or methodologies relevant to aspects of East Asian studies.
Proposals should include:
- Application cover sheet, with name of field research group, contact information (email, phone and departmental contacts) for the faculty lead, the second faculty member (if applicable) and the proposed doctoral student participant list (with contact information).
- A brief narrative (1-2 pages, single-spaced) describing the program, purpose, intellectual agenda or other goal(s) of the Field Training project, along with a proposed travel schedule. Narratives should provide detailed information about the types of training activities to be undertaken.
- A detailed budget including estimated costs for air travel, visas, ground transportation, lodging, meals, stipends for collaborators and other research-related expenses. Costs should be kept reasonable. A budget justification should be included.
- Brief commitment letters (in the form of an email or note) from sponsors or collaborators in East Asia who will be working with the group. A viable proposal should contain guarantees that the proposed fieldwork can be successfully conducted. Stipends for such collaborators may be included in the proposed budget.
- CV’s for the faculty member(s).
The application deadline for the 2010-11 Faculty-led Field Research and Training Grants is October 22, 2010, and will cover proposed field trips to be undertaken through summer of 2011. Funding is limited and proposals will be reviewed competitively for feasibility, educational benefit and cost effectiveness. Awards will be announced by early November and may get underway as early as the winter break 2010-11.
Applications should be sent by email to Martin Backstrom, IEAS Associate Director at backstrom@berkeley.edu. Questions about the program may also be addressed to him.