Chao Center Grants
Grants are available for guest lecturers, scholarly workshops and reading groups. For more information, contact the Chao Center at chaoctr@rice.edu.
Grants for Guest Lecturers
Guest lecturers are US-based and international scholars invited to present a lecture or seminar at Rice University.
Available Funding
Requests for funding to support travel, lodging and honorarium costs will be evaluated on a competitive basis. A total of USD $2,000 is available for guest lecturers. In addition to funds, the Chao Center for Asian Studies may provide in-kind support such as reservation of space and promotion of the event.
What is the review process?
Final decisions will be made based on selection criteria and available funds.
Who is eligible to apply?
Rice University faculty, lecturers and graduate students
What is the selection criteria?
Requests for funding will be evaluated in accordance with: 1. An orientation or set of problematics which include the transnational, the global and the methodological as they connect to work on Asia
2. The quality, significance of the potential invitee scholar’s research
3. The degree to which co-sponsorship or outside funding is secured
How do I apply?
Please email the following information to chaoctr@rice.edu
1. Applicant’s name, department, email, phone
2. Nominee’s name, department, email, website
3. Proposed month/semester for guest’s visit
4. Budget
a. Request amount / purpose
b. Financial co-sponsorships
c. In-kind support from other center and departments
5. Link to nominee’s CV
6. A one paragraph description of the person, explaining the significance of this work as it relates to “Transnational Asia”
Grants for Scholarly Workshops
Scholarly workshops are working meetings hosted over one or several days which bring together scholars from local, national, and international networks to present current research in a framework of common intellectual concern and towards the end goal of publication. Workshops aim to foster interdisciplinary dialogue across the Rice campus and build collaborative relationships with scholars in peer institutions to provide substantive feedback on book manuscripts or enhance student research opportunities in the service of building a research center of international distinction.
Available Funding
Workshop proposals will be evaluated on a competitive basis for in-kind and financial support up to $5,000. In addition to funds, the Chao Center for Asian Studies can provide administrative support: reservation of space on campus, advertising, processing of honoraria, and workshop related expenses. What is the review process?
In the review process, we will invite you to discuss your research and workshop proposal with Chao Center directors. Initial brainstorming and discussion provides for the incubation of ideas, the expansion of collaborative possibilities, and evaluation of existing and potential resources.
Final decisions will be made based on selection criteria and available funds.
Who is eligible to apply?
Rice University faculty, lecturers and graduate students What is the selection criteria?
Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with:
1. The contribution the project makes to furthering the Vision for the Second Century (V2C), including fostering interdisciplinary endeavors, building departments or programs of distinction, strengthening collaborative institutional relationships, and supporting university-wide priorities
a. An orientation or set of problematics which include the transnational, the global and the methodological as
they connect to work on Asia
b. The quality, significance, and future dissemination of the research in relation to proposed cost
2. The degree to which the Chao Center’s support of a workshop furthers efforts to secure co-sponsorship or outside funding
How do I apply?
Please email the following documents in PDF format to chaoctr@rice.edu.
1. Title page inclusive of workshop title, a short paragraph description of the project, proposed dates, applicant’s name and contact information.
2. A project description of no more than two (2) pages, double spaced (in Times 12-point type).
3. A budget that indicates how the requested funds would be expended. Please list other Rice departments or programs that are contributing funds or in-kind contributions toward your expenses, the dollar amount and/or labor hours and what such contributions will cover (e.g., honorarium, travel), as well as outside funds which are sought or secured.
4. A curriculum vitae for the sponsor of no more than two (2) pages, and a current and pending support document listing any awards of each applicant.
Grants for Reading Groups
Reading Groups, sponsored and organized by Rice faculty members, graduates and undergraduates, are aimed at bringing together scholars across campus and scholars across the region to jointly read and discuss significant work that speaks to current research problematics and debates.
Each year the Chao Center for Asian Studies will support one to three reading groups. We will provide up to $1000 for faculty sponsored reading groups for the purchase of refreshments and books. Additional funds can be requested by faculty to support a guest lecturer.
What is the review process?
Final decisions will be made based on selection criteria and available funds. Who is eligible to apply? Rice University faculty, lecturers, and students; Groups consisting of a minimum of four members
How I apply?
To apply for funding towards the cost of refreshments and books please email the following to chaoctr@rice.edu.
1. Description of the Reading Group
a. Name of the reading group
b. 250 word description of the themes, topics and problematiques to be explored through joint readings
c. Proposed schedule of meeting days and times
d. List of reading group members (4 or more), their titles and affiliations
2. Citations of books to be read
3. A budget that indicates how the requested funds would be expended (eg. refreshments, books)
4. A curriculum vitae of the reading group organizer of no more than four (4) pages
Faculty sponsors of reading groups may apply for additional funding for a guest lecturer. Proposals for guest speakers should be accompanied by a brief bio of the speaker, curriculum vitae if available, and a 250 word paragraph making a case for why this person should be invited to present. Such requests should be submitted one semester in advance of the proposed date for the guest speaker.