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Posted: December 4, 2025

2026 Blakemore Foundation Asian Language Fellowships

Application deadline: December 30, 2025, 11:00 PM (Pacific Time)

The Blakemore Foundation Asian Language Fellowships support one academic year (2026–2027) of full-time, intensive advanced language study in East or Southeast Asia. Eligible languages are Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Khmer. Fellowships are limited to approved language programs in Asia.

Applications are submitted through the Blakemore Foundation online portal:
https://blakemorefoundation.communityforce.com/Funds/Search.aspx

For general program details, see the Blakemore Foundation website:
https://www.blakemorefoundation.org/blakemorefreeman

Who Should Apply?

The fellowships are intended for high-achieving individuals who will make significant contributions to their field and whose careers will benefit from professional fluency in an Asian language. Strong candidates typically have:

  • Excellent academic records and outstanding recommendations
  • A demonstrated, long-term commitment to the country and language
  • A clear career path that will require advanced use of the language

Applicants from a wide range of fields are encouraged to apply, including (but not limited to) academia, STEM, environmental studies, international business, accounting, law, medicine, journalism, architecture, teaching, social/NGO work, and government service.

Eligibility (Summary)

Applicants must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States
  • Be pursuing a professional, business, or academic career involving regular use of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, or Khmer
  • Hold at least a bachelor’s degree by the start of the grant
  • Be at or near the advanced level in the target language
    • By the start of the grant, have completed at least three years of college-level language study (or equivalent formal, rigorous programs)
  • Be able to devote themselves exclusively to full-time, intensive language study for the entire grant period (fellowships are not for part-time study or research)

Eligible Language Programs (Overview)

  • Japanese: Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies (IUC), Yokohama
  • Chinese:
    • Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies (IUP), Tsinghua University, Beijing
    • International Chinese Language Program (ICLP), National Taiwan University, Taipei
  • Korean: Seoul National University, Sogang University, and the Inter-University Center for Korean Language Studies at Sungkyunkwan University, plus other programs in South Korea considered on a case-by-case basis
  • Programs for Indonesian, Khmer, Thai, and Vietnamese are approved individually during the application review process.

Application Timeline (2026–27 Cycle)

  • Application deadline: December 30, 2025, 11:00 PM (Pacific Time)