Here is some information on two different types of funding for language study- one long-term, one short-term. Below are the criteria for people pursuing Japanese (although many other languages are also supported).

Many thanks to Playing with Hire for this and a variety of fellowship/grant links to come.

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Blakemore Freeman Fellowships/Grants for Advanced Asian Language Study

Deadline: Dec. 30, 2010

Since 1990, the Blakemore Foundation has awarded over $12.3 million in grants to individuals pursuing professional, academic, or business careers that involve the regular use of an East or Southeast Asian language.

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Fellowships:

Blakemore Freeman Fellowships fund a year of advanced language study at the Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies in Yokohama. The grants cover tuition and a stipend for related educational expenses, basic living costs and transportation, but do not include dependent expenses.

Eligibility:

• pursuit of an academic, professional or business career that involves the regular use of a modern Asian language
• a college undergraduate degree
• be at or near an advanced level in the language as defined in the Grant Guidelines
• be able to devote oneself exclusively to the language study during the term of the grant; grants are not intended for part-time study or research
• be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States

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Refresher Grants:

Blakemore Refresher Grants are for periods less than one academic year (minimum of two months – for example, the summer program for advanced language study at the Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies in Yokohama). Applicants for Refresher Grants must meet all the eligibility requirements for Blakemore Freeman Fellowships, and be a member of one of the following groups:

• Former Blakemore Freeman Fellows;
• Professors who are teaching in an Asian field at a university or college in the United States and post-doctoral professionals whose degree is in an Asian field
• Graduates of the regular academic-year programs at the IUC in Yokohama, Japan

Selection Criteria:

Grants are highly competitive. Last year we were able to offer funding to less than 9% of applicants.  Applicants will be judged on having:

• a focused, well-defined career objective involving Asia in which use of the language is an important aspect

• the potential to make a significant contribution to a field of study or area of professional or business activity in an Asian country

• prior experience in the country or involvement or participation in activities related to the country

• good academic, professional or business background, appropriate to the career program

For application forms and further information see

http://www.blakemorefoundation.org

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Blakemore Foundation
Griffith Way, Trustee
Cathy Scheibner, Administrative Assistant
1201 Third Avenue, Suite 4800
Seattle, WA 98101-3099
Phone: 206.359.3684
E-mail: blakemore@perkinscoie.com
Web: http://www.blakemorefoundation.org/

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photo by OiMax