Cultivating the Humanities & Social Sciences Initiative

CHSS Research Grants is currently closed for applications

The application portal for Cultivating the Humanities and Social Science (CHSS) short and long-term research grants is closed. The application deadline was September 1, 2023. Award notifications will be made in December 2023.

Thank you to the translators, Dr. Muhammad Shabbir Ahsen, Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities and Social Sciences (Urdu), Dr. Trương Thị Thu Hằng, National University of Vietnam-Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnamese), Indrajeet Kumar Jha, PhD, ARSD College – University of Delhi (Hindi), Rogério Sávio Ma’averu (Tetun), Dr. Khammanh Siphanhxay (Lao), Net Wanna, Royal University of Phmon Penh (Khmer), and the Forest Foundation Philippines (Tagalog and Bisaya).

With support from Sweden, the Association for Asian Studies (AAS) is coordinating a $2.68-million project to support scholars located in economically disadvantaged regions of South and Southeast Asia. The project will focus on support for scholars from conflict areas and post-conflict countries, and particularly on junior faculty, graduate students, senior and independent scholars, women, and ethnic minority groups.

“Cultivating the Humanities and Social Sciences and Supporting Under-represented Scholars of Asia” is a four-year transnational initiative that will enhance the research capabilities of scholars and universities in select South and Southeast Asian countries to help reduce the vulnerabilities of low and lower-middle income countries in the region. The grant to AAS is part of Sweden’s regional development cooperation in low income countries and regions of Asia to support local research and research capacities of relevance for poverty reduction and sustainable and inclusive societies. These opportunities are available to both AAS members and non-AAS members.

Please read the FAQ section thoroughly before submitting your application for a CHSS research grant.

Forest Foundation Philippines (FFP) Program Grants

Research grant applications due September 1, 2023. Eligible applicants include Filipino nationals.

SIDA-AAS Student Paper Prize

Graduate students are welcome to apply starting Winter 2022

Questions?

Join the Community Forum Group to pose questions directly to AAS Staff

Please note you will need to create an AAS login to use the Community Forum.

Cultivating the Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) Research Grants

Research grant applications due September 1, 2023.

Scholars in Residence Fellowship

This Fellowship will have a rolling deadline; applications to be accepted starting mid-2023

More opportunities

More information coming soon…

Watch the informational session for more details about the CHSS Research Grant opportunity.

Sample Budget Template (Excel download)

Who is Eligible to Apply?

  • South and Southeast Asian nationals holding a Ph.D. or Master’s degree or equivalent who are—or will be—engaged in the academic profession in South and Southeast Asia.
  • Scholars, students, independent researchers, and public intellectuals, who are based in low- and lower medium-income countries as well as those who come from and may be living in post-conflict areas or areas where conflicts are still ongoing.
  • AAS membership is not a requirement.

Fellowships and Grant Opportunities

2023-2024 Cultivating the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Grants (Short, Medium, and Long-term)

2023-2024 AAS-Forest Foundation Philippines (FFP) Program Grants

Please note that only applications submitted via the portal above will be accepted. Submissions via email will be rejected.

About this Opportunity
  • The proposed short- and long-term research grants will support academic projects that advance the fields of the humanities and the social sciences in under-represented regions of Asia. In the humanities, they may include research focused on history, philosophy, religion, languages, literatures, and fine and performing arts. In the social sciences they include − but are not limited to − the disciplines of anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, law, politics, psychology, sociology, etc.
  • The Association for Asian Studies invites applications from low- and lower middle-income countries of Southeast Asia (e.g., Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam) as well as from less economically advantaged countries and areas of South Asia (e.g., Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and India). When evaluating proposals from Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and India, the review committee will prioritize applicants who come from regions and/or institutions with resource and infrastructure constraints.
  • We also encourage collaborative projects, especially those that partner scholars from under-resourced institutions with colleagues at institutions that offer more resources and infrastructure to support their work.
  • In addition, the CHSS grant program encourages individual and group projects (such as those bringing senior and junior scholars together) that will explore the mainstreamed subjects of
    1. Development
    1. Democracy
    2. Human Rights
    3. Gender
    4. The Environment
    5. Forest Conservation in the Philippines (see details below)
  • These themes may be researched on their own, or in combination with one another, or in ways that cut across the humanities and social sciences.
  • The program also welcomes proposals for special initiatives aim at the recording, preservation, and dissemination of endangered languages, oral histories, and traditional knowledge.
  • The proposed short- and long-term research grants should support the work of postdoctoral scholars, Ph.D., or Masters students who wish to undertake research essential for their thesis, dissertation. and/or book projects, or for manuscript revisions, conference papers, and journal articles.
  • Recipients of the CHSS short- and long-term research grants will subsequently be invited to submit a panel proposal at an AAS-in-Asia conference, where they will share the results of their research projects, participate in skill-building or publishing workshops, and explore opportunities to publish in peer-reviewed academic journals with our publishing partners based in Asia, Europe, and the U.S., as well as in the Association’s own publication series.
  • Applications are due September 1, 2023.
  • Award decisions will be made by November 30, 2023 and applicants will be notified in December 2023 if their project was awarded funding.
  • The grants will be awarded with the understanding that within two years of completion of their project, the recipients will present the results of their research at an AAS-in-Asia conference, or a similar international conference, with acknowledgment of the award. Any publication based on the funded research should also acknowledge the AAS-Sweden Cultivating the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Grants or the Forest Foundation Philippines.

Funding may be used for:

  • Research essential for postdoctoral scholars and Ph.D. and Master’s students thesis, dissertation, and/or book projects, or for manuscript revisions and journal articles in the humanities and social sciences.
  • Small scholarly seminars and pedagogical workshops.
  • Translation, curriculum development, and textbooks projects that facilitate the dissemination and implementation of the research results.
  • Documentary films and visual arts projects.

Funding may not be used for:

  • Travel and accommodation expenses to attend a professional conference.
  • The funding may not be used in conjunction with another research grant.

Forest Foundation Philippines

The Forest Foundation Philippines is a non-profit organization that provides grants and technical assistance to organizations and individuals that empower the people to protect the forests. A special funding through its small grants program will be made available by the Forest Foundation Philippines to Filipino scholars with projects related to forest conservation and restoration, forest communities and sustainable livelihoods, indigenous knowledge systems, forest policy and governance, (counter)mapping forest landscapes, and other approaches that foster knowledge co-creation and transdisciplinary knowledge-making in any discipline of humanities and social sciences. Under-represented scholars, including indigenous scholars, women, and early-career researchers, especially from Palawan, Sierra Madre, Samar and Leyte, and Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental, are invited to apply. For more information about the programs of the Forest Foundation Philippines, visit their website at www.forestfoundation.ph.  

The grants will be awarded with the understanding that within two years of completion of their project, the recipients will present the results of their research at an AAS-in-Asia conference, or a similar international conference, with acknowledgment of the award. Any publication based on the funded research should also acknowledge the AAS and the Forest Foundation Philippines.

Who is Eligible to Apply
  • Graduate students (both MA and Ph.D.), junior scholars, and senior scholars are eligible and welcome to apply.
  • Under-represented constituents of the transnational Asian Studies community, or those from or living in post-conflict areas or in areas where conflicts are ongoing.
  • People living in low and lower-middle income areas of South and Southeast Asia.
  • Masters’ students who may not be able to continue on a Ph.D. track due to circumstances beyond their control are also encouraged to apply.

Ideal applicants should be residing in (or from) the following areas:

Low- and lower middle-income countries of Southeast Asia (e.g., Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam) as well as from less economically advantaged countries and areas of South Asia (e.g., Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and India). When evaluating proposals from Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and India, the review committee will prioritize applicants who come from regions and/or institutions with resource and infrastructure constraints. We also encourage collaborative projects, especially those that partner scholars from under-resourced institutions with colleagues at institutions that offer more resources and infrastructure to support their work.

Due to the highly competitive nature of this program, a former CHSS awardee may not apply before two years have elapsed since they were awarded a CHSS research grant.

How to Apply
  • Please note that only applications submitted via the portal will be accepted.
  • Submissions via email will be rejected.

Helpful Documents:

Step-by-step instructions on how to apply

Sample Research Proposal

Sample Budget Template (Excel download)

SIDA per diem rates These rates will be updated to 2024 rates when available.

Sample Budget:

Please Note:

  • Applications are due September 1, 2023.
  • You will need to secure 1 letter from a referee. Please notify your referee before sending them the invitation to submit their letter on your behalf in the application portal. Referees will receive an automated email with the link to the application portal from the AAS Grants Manager, Molly DeDona, at grants@asianstudies.org. If any issues arise, please contact the AAS Grants Manager for assistance.

Please prepare:

  • A short cover letter outlining:
    1. How the research grant will be used
    2. How it will contribute to the applicant’s professional development and academic career
    3. How this will contribute to the field of South or Southeast Asian studies in general
    4. How this project or applicant is related to low-income or less economically advantaged regions of South or Southeast Asia
  • A two-page curriculum vitae (CV) in English which should include:
    1. Your highest academic degree(s), including the granting institution, your field of concentration, and the year it was received
    2. Your academic experience(s) at higher education institutions, including any teaching and/or research experience(s). For each position, include the institution, department/faculty, your position title, whether this was full-time or part-time, and the dates worked.
    3. A short list of publications (if applicable)
    4. Please ensure any work in English or that has an abstract in English is noted
    5. Please have CV’s of any Co-Principal Investigators and team members of your research project.
  • An 800-1,000 word research project proposal (including footnotes)
  • A budget of your project
  • A sample of the applicant’s writing work (no minimum length, but ideally 2,000 – 2,500 words)
  • A list of any other research grants you have previously received.
  • A timeline (as short as 2 months, or as long as 12 months).
    1. Successful applicants awarded funding for their projects are expected within two years of completion of their project, to present the results of their research at an AAS-in-Asia conference, or a similar international conference, with acknowledgment of the award. Any publication based on the funded research should also acknowledge the AAS-Sweden Cultivating the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Grants.
    2. Short term grants are defined as less than 4 months, and long term grants are 5 – 7 months and long term grants are 8-12 months in duration.
  • One recommendation letter by a referee, who is familiar with the applicant’s field of research.
    1. Preference will be given to applicants who have never received a research grant in the past and/or who are based in an under-resourced institution. Each applicant must request that the letters be submitted via the online portal by September 1, 2023.
  • The grants will be awarded with the understanding that within two years of completion of their project, the recipients will present the results of their research at an AAS-in-Asia conference, or a similar international conference, with acknowledgment of the award. Any publication based on the funded research should also acknowledge the AAS-Sweden Cultivating the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Grants or the Forest Foundation Philippines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I applied last year; how do I view my prior application and what has changed in the application portal?

Did you apply to this program last year? Here are some things that have changed in the application portal:

  1. Only one letter of reference is required. While you may still enter two referees, only one letter is required for your application to be reviewed by the committee. Are you a referee? You can preview the applicant’s application in progress via the download link included in the reference request email.
  2. Collaborator access to your application. Once you have started an application, you can manage “collaborators” to your application (teammates and co-pi’s) by selecting the “Manage Collaborators” button.
  3. Want to view your application from last year? If you are logged into your account from the prior year, simply navigate to “My Applications” then “Archived”. Select the application you’d like to view or print.

What amount of funding should I ask for?

It depends on the length of your project, in general, about $1,000 per month. For example, a 1 – 2 month project should request $1,000 – $2,000 USD, a 3 – 6 month project $3,000 – $6,000, etc. CHSS grants typically range from $2,000 – $12,000.

Do I need to be an AAS member to apply for funds?

No, you do not need to be an AAS member in order to apply. However, AAS members are also welcome to apply.

What should the funding be used for?

  • Research essential for postdoctoral scholars and Ph.D. and Master’s students thesis, dissertation, and/or book projects, or for manuscript revisions and journal articles in the humanities and social sciences.
  • Small scholarly seminars and pedagogical workshops.
  • Translation, curriculum development and textbooks projects that facilitate the dissemination and implementation of the research results.
  • Documentary films and visual arts projects.

What may the funding not be used for?

  • Travel and accommodation expenses to attend a professional conference.
  • The funding may not be used in conjunction with another research grant.

Are stipends allowed under this grant?

No. Stipends, salaries, and time-based labor costs that do not qualify as “professional services” are not allowable costs under this grant.

When will award decisions be made? And when will I be notified if I was awarded funding?

Award decisions will be made by November 30, 2023. Applicants will be notified within a few weeks after this date if they are to receive funding.

How is funding distributed? 

For all research grants, AAS will withhold 20% of the total award which will be released upon submission of a research completion and financial report.  

For research grants supported by the Forest Foundation Philippines, funding will be disbursed through the Foundation directly.

I am a South/Southeast Asian national, but I currently reside outside South/Southeast Asia. Am I eligible to apply?

Yes, you are eligible to apply. If you are currently based at a well-resourced institution, note that collaborative projects are encouraged, especially those that partner scholars from under-resourced institutions with colleagues at institutions that offer more resources and infrastructure to support their work. Collaborative projects should have at least one partner based in the one of the target areas (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, or India).

What countries are eligible? 

The Association for Asian Studies invites applications from low- and lower middle-income countries of Southeast Asia (e.g., Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam) as well as from less economically advantaged countries and areas of South Asia (e.g., Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and India). When evaluating proposals from Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and India, the review committee will prioritize applicants who come from regions and/or institutions with resource and infrastructure constraints. Applications from the Maldives will also be considered.  

What is the definition of an “under-resourced institution?” 

We define “under-resourced institutions” as universities and think tanks that often lack the financial and human resources to develop their research capacity in the humanities and social sciences to their fullest potential. These institutions traditionally have limited grants opportunities for their faculty, fellows and students and they can also be geographically located at the periphery of major cities.  

Can current MA students apply?

Yes, current MA students may apply. Current PhD students may apply as well.

Am I eligible if I currently hold student loans?  

Any individual who currently is holding a student loan and intends to use the CHSS research grant to pay for tuition will not qualify.   

Can I submit more than one application to the CHSS grant program?

Yes, you may submit up to two (2) applications, but only one research project per applicant will be eligible for funding.

How many letters from a referee are needed on team or co-pi projects?

Only 1 letter from a referee are required per application. As with individual projects, in the case of co-pi or team projects, the referee should be able to speak to the field of study in which the research project will take place. In co-pi projects, 1 referee letter per co-pi is advisable.

What is needed in a letter of reference?

Please note this is general guidance, and letters of reference may vary in content. In general, a letter of reference should

  • Identify the professional relationship of the referee to the applicant.
  • Address how the applicant is qualified to do the research project outlined in the application.
  • Identify how the referee is an authority in the field.
  • Address how the referee and applicant are knowledgeable in their respective fields.

Letters of reference written by co-pi, teammates, or other individuals listed as active participants in the grant project are not eligible and will be disqualified for consideration.

How many writing samples are needed on a co-pi or team projects?

Please cap the total word count to 2,500 words on co-pi or team project writing samples. In the case of co-pi projects, about 1,250 words per individual is appropriate. Writing samples for team projects should include a sample from the team lead, but may include all team members writing samples or co-written or edited papers.

How long do I have to work on my grant project?

The grants will be awarded with the understanding that within two years of completion of their project, the recipients will present the results of their research at an AAS-in-Asia conference, or a similar international conference, with acknowledgment of the award. Any publication based on the funded research should also acknowledge the AAS-Sweden Cultivating the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Grants or the Forest Foundation Philippines.

I am from an eligible country in Southeast Asia, but I have another citizenship. Am I eligible to apply?

Yes, double nationality applicants can apply.

Is the grant also available for independent researchers not affiliated to any institution?

Independent researchers affiliated with think tanks, NGOs or currently without an affiliation may apply.

If I am in SEA but not in the countries mentioned, would it be possible to apply with another researcher in the mentioned country?

It is possible to submit a joint application with the understanding that the purpose of this grant is to offer opportunities to scholars and institutions, who usually do not get access to the kind of support or resources available in other regions. In this case, the budget proposal will need to ensure that the funding essentially supports the researcher, who fits the eligibility criteria.

Is there an age limit for the applicants?

There is no age limit for the applicants.

If I am not awarded this time, can I re-apply in next round?

Yes, you can re-apply the following year. In addition, if your application is eligible for another AAS grants that is currently available, we will get in touch with you so that you can re-submit your proposal for this other opportunity, which will be assessed by a different selection committee.

Will proposals that require collaboration with official government institutions like the ministry of education or national museum be acceptable?

Yes, collaboration with governmental institutions or local NGOs meet the eligibility criteria since one of the goals of this CHSS project is to reduce the vulnerabilities of Southeast and South Asian low-income countries through policy-pertinent research to stimulate peacebuilding, cooperation, and development.

I am a prior CHSS Grantee; may I apply again this year?

Due to the highly competitive nature of this program, a former CHSS grantee may not apply before two years have elapsed since they were awarded a CHSS research grant.

2022-23 Grantees

Afghanistan

Long Term Grants

  • Murtaza Khavari, Kabul Education University, “Assessing the impact of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intentions of women university students of Kabul Education University, Afghanistan”

India

Short Term Grants

  • Abhijit Bhattacharya, Nabagram Amar Chand Kundu College, “Being Bound by Faith: An Ethnographic Study of the Bengali Matua Settlers in Andaman Islands”

Long Term Grants

  • MD Kasir Ali, “Debris of Violence: Decaying ‘Kashmiriyat’ amidst Mutilated Ecology in Kashmir”
  • Mary Ann Chacko and Madhumita Biswal, Ahmedabad University, “Gendered Citizenship: Understanding Everyday Politics of the Marginalized”
  • Subasri Krishnan, “Shadowlines: The Forensics of Memory and Belonging”
  • Zahid Rafiq, “Conversations with the Dead”

Indonesia

Short Term Grants

  • Hatib Kadir, Bustamin Wahid, and Gilang Mahadika, Universitas Brawijaya, “Papuan’s Endurance in Living on the Margins of Urban Frontiers”

Myanmar

Long Term Grants

  • Salai Vanni Bawi, Chiang Mai University, “Understanding the challenges of Persons with Disabilities in Myanmar”
  • Myo Hlaing Win and Myo Min Latt, Danu Filmaker, “Moving Backward, Myanmar”

Pakistan

Short Term Grants

  • Faryal Khan, “Power, Local Elites and (Re)positioning: Analyzing Mineral Production Networks in Post-conflict Newly Merged Tribal Districts (NMTDs) in Pakistan”
  • Sonal Dhanani, “Climate Preparedness in Local languages”
  • Muhammad Saleemi, “The Rise of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan: Populism, Class and Masculinity”

Long Term Grants

  • Noaman Ali and Muhammad Arfan, Lahore University, “Agrarian Extractivism and Climate Disaster in the Indus Water Basin”

Philippines

Long Term Grants

  • Maria Carolina Rodriguez-Dawonlay Bello, “Understanding child labour within the context of child marriage in Mindanao”
  • Amiel Lopez, Ateneo de Davao University, “The Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor: Climate Change Responses of the Bajau in Davao”

Grants Sponsored by the Forest Foundation Philippines

  • Christine Grace Fuchigami, University of the Philippines-Open University, “Negotiating Silence of muted Indigenous healing and Healers in public health discourse in Northern Philippines”
  • Rhomir Yanquiling, “Politics, Hydraulics and Water Flow: Afterlife Legacy of Big Dam Implementation in Northern Philippines”

Thailand

Short Term Grants

  • Panarat Anamwathana, Thammasat University, “Women’s rights in 19th century Siam”
  • Anna Christi Suwardi, “Revisiting Women’s Empowerment in Thailand’s Deep South Conflict”

Timor-Leste

Short Term Grants

  • Lili Chen, Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e, “What Sexualities Are And What Sexualities Do? An Indigenous Understanding And Experiences Of Sexualities In Timor-Leste”

Scholars in Residence Fellowship (to be announced)

About this Opportunity
  • The SIDA-AAS Scholars in Residence fellowship aims to provide scholars whose lives, safety, and rights are endangered, with the necessary funding for short- (2 month) and medium-term (up to 12 months) relocation in a partner institution based in the regions or abroad.
  • This would include scholars who face threats to their academic freedom and live in areas with recent, protracted conflicts.
  • The Association for Asian Studies invites applications from low- and lower middle-income countries of Southeast Asia (e.g., Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam) as well as from less economically advantaged countries and areas of South Asia (e.g., Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and India). When evaluating proposals from Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and India, the review committee will prioritize applicants who come from regions and/or institutions with resource and infrastructure constraints.
  • We also encourage collaborative projects, especially those that partner scholars from under-resourced institutions with colleagues at institutions that offer more resources and infrastructure to support their work.
  • This immediate response fellowship program is designed to assist scholars, students and public intellectuals who currently work − or live − in a hostile environment.
  • Drawing on the AAS’s institutional network in Asia, Europe, and the U.S., the goal is to identify suitable placements for the fellows to continue conducting research, teaching, and publishing in a safe environment.
  • These fellows will become part of the project’s network of scholars and will also benefit from and/or contribute actively to some of its components by means of collaborative projects, publications, workshops, mentoring of early career scholars or graduate students, etc. Moreover, the AAS monitoring, evaluation, and learning system and project partners will help ensure that the fellows remain safe during their fellowship with the necessary support and resources to carry out their academic work.
  • Rolling application deadline, with notification of successful applications to be sent out to the applicant within 3 weeks of the AAS receiving the application form.
How to Apply

The call for applications will open soon. The deadline is rolling, as this is an immediate response fellowship. Please note that you are unable to save and come back to this form; have the following information below ready as you go to fill out your application:

Prepare the following information before filling out your application:

Your CV in English, which should include:

  • Your highest academic degree(s), including the granting institution, your field of concentration, and the year it was received
  • Your academic experience(s) at higher education institutions, including any teaching and/or research experience(s). For each position, include the institution, department/faculty, your position title, whether this was full-time or part-time, and the dates worked.
  • A full publication list (if applicable).
  • Please ensure any work in English or that has an abstract in English is noted.

In addition, prepare 2-3 paragraphs, describing any risks you are experiencing and any direct threats against you. Specific information, including dates and locations of events, along with any corroborating information, is most helpful for our review of your application. Please know that any information you share with us will remain confidential among the review team.

SIDA-AAS Graduate Student Paper Prize (to be announced)

About the Prize
  • Ph.D. and Masters students are welcome to submit a paper for the SIDA-AAS Graduate Student Paper Prize
  • Winners will receive a travel allowance to the next AAS-in-Asia conference, where they will discuss their paper and officially receive their award.
  • Students will be able to submit their papers for consideration in the Fall/Winter of 2022. More details are forthcoming.
How to Apply
  • Please have the following ready before submitting your paper
    • Proof of Enrollment in a MA or PhD program
    • Your paper, which should be between 3,000 – 4,000 words