Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships in Buddhist Studies

The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships in Buddhist Studies provide two years of funding to recent recipients of the PhD for residence at a university for the purpose of revising the dissertation into a publishable manuscript or for beginning the first new project after completion of the PhD degree.  The teaching of one course per year is encouraged.  Priority is given to residence at universities or colleges providing a collegial atmosphere and working conditions enabling the postdoctoral Fellow’s entry into an academic career in Buddhist studies. 

Eligibility 

• Applicants must have the PhD officially conferred by an accredited university no earlier than January 1, 2016.
• The PhD degree must be completed by April 15, 2020 (including defense/deposit and revisions) and conferred by May 31, 2020. (If the date of completion or conferral is after the application deadline, the application must include an institutional statement attesting that all requirements for the PhD will be fulfilled by the dates specified. A successful applicant, before being named a Fellow, must submit proof that the PhD was completed by April 15, 2020 and conferred by May 31, 2020 (this must come from a university official). 
• A scholarly product must be proposed, to be written in any language.
• The application must be written in English by the applicant.
• There are no restrictions as to residence or citizenship, or as to location of research.
• The fellowship-in-residence may be proposed at any university or college EXCEPT at the institution granting the applicant’s PhD or the institution of current employment. The proposed host university must submit via the online reference system a letter confirming willingness to host the applicant for a two-year postdoctoral fellowship-in residence.

Selection Criteria

• Significance of the topic and its potential contribution to Buddhist studies.
• Coherence and cogency of presentation.
• Feasibility of the plan of work.
• Record of the applicant’s previous accomplishments.
• Compatibility of the applicant with the proposed university. (The application must include a sample course outline.) 

Fellowship Details

• Annual stipend of $55,000 (In addition, if required, a relocation and health-insurance allowance of $6,000).
• Tenure: Fellowship period must begin between July 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021, and must last for two academic years, subject to the regulations of the host institution.
• Completed applications must be submitted through the ACLS online fellowship and grant administration system (ofa.acls.org) no later than 9 pm Eastern Standard Time, November 13, 2019.
• The fellowship will also provide the host institution with funds for overhead costs, up to 20% of the fellowship stipend.

Note to Potential Host Institutions

The applicant must request a letter of support from the host institution at which he or she plans to spend the two-year fellowship period. This letter must be submitted by the host institution via the online application reference system.

The fellowship provides an annual stipend for the Fellow and will cover health insurance, if not provided by the institution. The fellowship will also provide the host institution with funds for overhead costs, up to 20% of the fellowship stipend. Questions concerning financial details may be addressed to BuddhistStudies@acls.org.