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I am:

Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

Artist

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

FPA

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

Taiwan

4 Open Study/Research Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
September Start
Grant Length
10 Months
Award Type
Open Study/Research Award
Award Profile

Fulbright Taiwan invites applications to conduct independent research projects in a dynamic, open environment. The competition is open to all fields. During the 10-month grant period, grantees will broaden their professional, scientific, and artistic skills.    

To better support diverse research needs, this award is organized into two tracks: the Academic Track and the Creative & Performing Arts Track.

1. Academic Track

This track is designed for doctoral students or candidates to conduct dissertation research. Aplicants may propose independent projects at any accredited institution.

    • Scope: Open to all fields of study (Humanities, Social Sciences, STEM, etc.).
    • Host: Applicants must identify and secure an affiliation with a host institution that is appropriate for their project.

Note: candidates proposing Academia Sinica as their host institution should instead apply for Research Partnership Awards: Academia Sinica

2. Creative & Performing Arts Track
This track is designed for practitioners in the arts to pursue independent creative projects. 

    • Scope: Fields include, but are not limited to, Creative Writing, Dance, Music, Theater, Visual Arts, Film, and Design.
    • Goal: Proposed projects should be innovative, feasible within the Taiwan context, and utilize Taiwan’s rich cultural landscape as a catalyst for artistic growth.

Grant Length
10 Months
Grant Period
September Start

The grant period is 10 months. Grants must begin in September 2027 and end in June 2028. Grantees should arrive in Taiwan in time for the Welcome Meeting (usually the Friday after Labor Day).

Orientation
In-Country Orientation

The post-arrival orientation will be held usually the Friday and Saturday after U.S. Labor Day.

Candidate Profile

General Eligibility:

  • Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
  • Applicants with completed doctorates at the time of the start of the award are not eligible.
  • Candidates must be willing and able to work with a high degree of independence.

Specific Requirements by Track:

  • Academic Track 
    • Applicants must be currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program.
    • Projects should fit the applicant’s previous academic training and future objectives.
  • Creative & Performing Arts Track
    • Master’s and Ph.D. students are preferred, but graduating seniors and recent graduates with strong portfolios will be considered.
    • Applicants should demonstrate a maturity and capacity for independent work in a cross-cultural setting.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.

A Vibrant and Welcoming Society
Taiwan is a vibrant democracy boasting a thriving economy, rapid technological advancement, and a dynamic media landscape. It is widely recognized as a safe and foreigner-friendly environment, characterized by democratic freedoms and a diverse, inclusive society. While Mandarin Chinese is the primary language, English proficiency is widespread, particularly in major cities and academic circles.

Quality of Life and Convenience
Taiwan offers an exceptionally high quality of life with a relatively low cost of living. It is a haven for food lovers, offering everything from world-class dining to famous night markets. Living accommodations are comfortable, and high-speed internet is ubiquitous. Transportation is extremely convenient; comprehensive Metro (MRT) systems operate in Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, and Kaohsiung, making travel efficient and affordable. Additionally, Taiwan’s natural beauty is easily accessible, with mild winters and sunny summers making it ideal for exploring the outdoors.

World-Class Healthcare
Taiwan’s healthcare system is consistently ranked among the best in the world, known for its high quality, accessibility, and affordability. State-of-the-art medical facilities and friendly service make clinical visits convenient and stress-free, ensuring peace of mind for international residents.

Academic Environment and Calendar
Taiwan places a strong emphasis on education, boasting an adult literacy rate of over 98%. The higher education landscape includes over 160 institutions, comprising public and private universities, junior colleges, and technical institutes. The academic environment is rigorous yet supportive.

  • Academic Calendar: The academic year runs from mid-September to late June. 
    • First Semester: September to January.
    • Second Semester: Late February to June (start dates vary slightly based on the Lunar New Year).

Resources

Eligibility
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Dual citizens of this country are NOT eligible
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
9 Months

Residency Requirements

  • Current Residency in Taiwan: Candidates currently residing in Taiwan (or those who will be living there during the 2026-2027 academic year) will not be considered.
  • Time Abroad: Candidates who have lived outside the United States for five or more consecutive years in the six-year period preceding the date of application is ineligible.

Citizenship and Visa Status 

  • Dual Citizenship & Permanent Residency: Individuals with dual U.S.-Taiwan citizenship or Taiwan permanent residency are not eligible. All Fulbright U.S. Student award recipients must enter Taiwan on a J-type academic and cultural exchange visa. Please note that individuals with dual U.S.-Taiwanese citizenship or permanent residency are not eligible to meet these document requirements.
    *Note: It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify their citizenship status and eligibility prior to application. 
  • Applicants born in the People of China (PRC): Due to specific Taiwan visa regulations, applicants born in the PRC must meet the following criteria to be eligible for a visa:
  1. Have held U.S. citizenship for at least 4 years
  2. Provide additional documentary evidence to certify that they have resided in the U.S. for a duration of 4 years and above
  3. Provide the documents sufficient to prove the loss of mainland China citizenship when applying for a visa at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the U.S. 

Important: The Fulbright Program cannot be guaranteed visa issuance by the TECO and an Alien Resident Certificate by National Immigration Agency after arriving in Taiwan. All applicants must meet Taiwan’s entry requirements for applications of Taiwan visas. Please directly contact the TECO to get details on the visa application. 

Academic Requirements

Doctoral Degree Holders: Applicants with completed doctorates at the time of the start of the award are not eligible.

Degree Level of Applicant
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form

If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.

Not Required

Additional Information: A working knowledge of Mandarin or Taiwanese is strongly encouraged, but not required if the project does not need it.

Note for Research: Conducting dissertation research in Traditional Chinese Studies will require advanced language skills to navigate historical texts.

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
No
Affiliation

Applicants must identify appropriate host institutions for their projects and include affiliation letters with their Fulbright applications.

Appropriate Institutions: 

Appropriate hosts include nonprofit institutions of higher education and research, authenticated colleges, authenticated universities, libraries, archives, museums, art centers, hospitals, public television, radio stations, government agencies, national laboratories, privately sponsored nonprofit institutes, nonprofit organizations, government chartered nonprofit research organizations, and foundations.

 

Note: July and August are traditional summer vacation months in Taiwan and responses to inquiries about the invitation letters may be delayed. Applicants are advised to contact Taiwanese potential hosts well in advance to solicit affiliation letters.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition not covered in grant benefits

General Rule: Affiliation fees or tuition costs are not covered by the grant benefits.

Award Benefits
  • A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
  • International travel benefits
  • Accident & sickness health benefits
  • 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
  • 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount

This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.

NT$45,000 - NT$69,000 monthly stipend amount in
NT$ [New Taiwan Dollar]

Financial Support (Monthly Stipend)
Funds are paid in NTD. Total monthly stipend ranges from NT$45,000 to NT$S69,000 depending on family status. 

  • Base Stipend: NT$18,000 per month.
  • Living Allowance: 
    • Grantee only: NT$15,000.
    • With accompanying spouse: Add NT$6,000.
    • With accompanying child: Add NT$6,000 per child (up to two children).
  • Partial Housing Allowance: 
    • Grantee (and spouse): NT$12,000 per month.
    • With 2+ dependents: NT$18,000 per month.

Standard Allowances & Coverage

  • Settling-in Allowance: NT$36,000 (one-time).
  • Airfare: One Roundtrip economy class ticket for grantee and up to three dependents.
  • Insurance: ASPE + Taiwan National Health Insurance (NHI) for grantee and eligible dependents. .
  • Visa: Fee exemption.
  • Tax: Exemption from Taiwan income tax on stipend

Note:

  • The actual payment is based on the above-mentioned Taiwan dollar.
  • Currency exchange rates are subject to fluctuation (usually between NT$30 and NT$32 to US$1).
  • The funds will be paid in NTD to a local Taiwan bank account. 

 

One-Time Allowances

This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.

36,000 in
NT$ [New Taiwan Dollar]
  • Excess baggage fees
  • Settling in allowance

Settling-in allowance and baggage allowance of NT$36,000, upon arrival.

Note:

  • The actual payment amount is based on the above-mentioned Taiwan dollar.
  • Currency exchange rates are subject to fluctuation (usually between NT$30 and NT$32 to the US dollar).
  • The funds will be paid in NTD cash upon arrival. It is paid to help meet some immediate expenses and cover the costs of extra baggage brought to and taken from Taiwan.
Additional Grant Benefits
  • Health insurance (in addition to ASPE)
  • Housing placement
  • Mid-year seminar
  • Transportation pass
  • Airfare: A direct roundtrip economy-class air ticket is provided for the grantee and up to three accompanying dependents. 
  • Housing Support: 
    • Initial Stay: Fulbright Taiwan will book and cover a hotel for the first four nights upon arrival.
    • Long-term: Fulbright Taiwan provides real estate listings and housing-related information for grantees’ reference. Grantees receive a monthly partial housing allowance (included in the stipend structure) to support their housing expenses.

 

Note:

  • National Health Insurance: Premiums for the grantee are paid by Fulbright Taiwan after receiving the Alien Resident Certificate (ARC). Qualifying dependents are also covered.  
  • Visa Exemption: Exemption from Taiwan visa application fee (US$185)
  • Tax Exemption: Exemption from Taiwan income tax on the Fulbright stipend. 
  • Transportation pass: A loaded EasyCard provided upon arrival for local transportation.
  • Events: Welcome Orientation, Thanksgiving Dinner, Mid-year Conference, and Farwell Reception.
Estimated Cost of Living

Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.

Taiwan offers an exceptionally high quality of life with a cost of living significantly lower than that of major U.S. cities. 

Money Matters:

  • Currency: The official currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD/NT$)
  • Buying Power: The average monthly cost of living is estimated around NT$26,829 (approx. US$894).The affordability of daily essentials makes Taiwan incredibly livable.

Dining: 

  • The "Latte Index": A delicious meal of dumplings or noodles costs NT$40–NT$100 (US$1.60–US$3.60).
  • Dining Out: A hearty dinner for two at a restaurant costs about NT$1,000 (US$33).
  • Comfort Food: A Big Mac meal is around US$6.00.

Getting Around: 

  • Transit: The MRT (Metro) is clean and safe; trips cost about US$2.
  • The "EasyCard": A US$3.30 card allows you to pay for subway, buses, public bikes, and convenience store snacks.

Housing: 

  • The Cost: Rent is reasonable. International students often find accommodations between US$267 and US$533 per month.
  • The Space: Apartments are "city-sized" (compact) but functional. Air conditioning is standard.

Education: 

  • Tuition: Public schools are free in Taiwan from Grade 1 to Grade 12. While international schools are available (approx. US$20,000–US$35,000 annually), attending a local public school offers a priceless immersive experience.
  • Support & Bilingual Progress: Taiwan actively promotes Bilingual Education, steadily increasing English-taught subjects in public schools. Furthermore, the robust
  • Transnational Student Support Services are designed to help international students adapt smoothly to the local curriculum and environment.

Healthcare: 

  • No "Medical Bill Shock": Taiwan’s healthcare system is consistently ranked among the best in the world. It is efficient, accessible, and incredibly affordable.
  • Typical Costs: Once enrolled in the National Health Insurance (NHI), a visit to a clinic—including consultation and medication-typically costs between US$7.00 and US$17.00. You can see a doctor without the anxiety of high deductibles or long wait times.

Connectivity & Fun:

  • Stay Connected: Unlimited data plans are affordable, and Wi-Fi is everywhere.
  • Culture & Entertainment: A movie ticket costs about US$10-US$13. World-class museums, like the National Palace Museum, charge less than US$12 for admission.

The Great Outdoors:

  • Hiking is a national pastime. With countless trails just a short bus or MRT ride from the city center, accessing Taiwan's stunning nature is completely free.
Dependents
Dependent financial support is available

To be eligible for the increased maintenance allowance for dependents, dependents must reside in Taiwan for at least 80% of the grant period. The Foundation for Scholarly Exchange (Fulbright Taiwan) will also assist the grantees’ dependents in facilitating their Visa and Alien Resident Certificate applications.

Housing Arrangements

Fulbright Taiwan will book the grantees in a hotel for the first four nights near the office. We will also provide real estate listings and rental housing-related information to guide grantees.

  • Benefits: Grantees are offered a one-time-only settling-in allowance and a monthly partial housing allowance during their grant period to support these rental costs.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.EAP@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
http://www.fulbright.org.tw
Additional Online Resources
List of Universities and Colleges in Taiwan: http://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-21-14441-4EC5E-1.html
National Palace Museum: http://www.npm.gov.tw/en/
National Central Library: https://enwww.ncl.edu.tw
National Health Research Institutes: http://english.nhri.org.tw/NHRI_WEB/nhriw001Action.do
Public Television Service Foundation: http://eng.pts.org.tw
Learn Chinese in Taiwan : https://lmit.edu.tw/lc
National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium: https://www.nmmba.gov.tw/En/
Education in Taiwan: https://english.moe.gov.tw/mp-1.html