Entries Open: TFD Visiting Fellowship Program

The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD) Visiting Fellowship Program supports international scholars, doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, students, and practitioners working on democracy and human rights. The fellowships enable recipients to conduct research or practical projects in Taiwan while collaborating with Taiwanese academic institutions and civil society organizations. Taiwan Foundation for Democracy Visiting Fellowship Program The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy established the Visiting Fellowship Program to promote international research and practical engagement in democracy, human rights, democratic governance, and civil society. The program provides opportunities for international participants to conduct field-based research, develop practical initiatives, exchange knowledge with Taiwanese counterparts, and strengthen international cooperation on democratic development and human rights protection. The program is particularly relevant to researchers and practitioners seeking to understand how democratic institutions, civic participation, human rights protections, and civil society operate in Taiwan. Why It Matters The fellowship creates opportunities for international researchers and practitioners to connect academic research with practical experiences in Taiwan.

The program aims to:

Advance research on democracy and human rights. Improve understanding of democratic development theories and practices. Encourage international academic and professional collaboration. Connect fellows with Taiwanese scholars and civil society organizations. Encourage cooperative international projects. Strengthen knowledge sharing on democracy and human rights. Contribute to democratic development in Taiwan and internationally. Fellowship Categories The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy offers four fellowship categories, each designed for a different stage or type of professional and academic work. International Visiting Fellowship This fellowship is intended for international scholars and practitioners conducting research or professional work related to democracy and human rights. Recipients can use the fellowship to deepen their understanding of Taiwan’s democratic development and engage with relevant Taiwanese academic and civil society counterparts. Postdoctoral Fellowship The Postdoctoral Fellowship supports recent PhD recipients who are beginning their academic careers. The fellowship provides an opportunity to undertake postdoctoral research related to democracy and human rights while developing international academic networks and research collaborations. Dissertation Fellowship The Dissertation Fellowship is designed for international doctoral candidates whose dissertation research focuses on democracy and human rights. The opportunity can support doctoral researchers conducting relevant research and fieldwork in Taiwan while connecting with local academic and research communities. Democracy and Human Rights Service Fellowship The Democracy and Human Rights Service Fellowship is intended for international students and practitioners undertaking practical projects designed to strengthen democracy or improve human rights protection in Taiwan. This category focuses on practical engagement rather than exclusively academic research. Who Is Eligible? Eligibility depends on the specific fellowship category, but the program is designed for international participants working or studying in fields related to democracy and human rights.

Potential applicants include:

International scholars. Researchers and practitioners. Recent PhD graduates. International doctoral candidates. International students. Democracy and human rights professionals. Practitioners developing projects that strengthen democratic participation or human rights protection. Applicants should ensure that their proposed research or practical project has a clear connection to democracy, human rights, democratic development, or related areas. What Can Fellows Do? The fellowship encourages participants to undertake meaningful research or practical activities in Taiwan. An important feature of the program is its emphasis on international collaboration. Fellows are encouraged to interact with Taiwanese academic and civil society counterparts during their fellowship. These relationships can help fellows gain local perspectives, improve their research, and identify opportunities for future cooperation. The program therefore goes beyond providing an individual research opportunity and seeks to build stronger connections between international and Taiwanese democracy and human rights communities. How the Fellowship Works Applicants should develop a clear proposal that connects their professional or academic interests with the fellowship’s objectives.

Step 1: Identify the Appropriate Fellowship

Choose among the four categories based on your career stage and proposed activity: International Visiting Fellowship Postdoctoral Fellowship Dissertation Fellowship Democracy and Human Rights Service Fellowship

Step 2: Develop a Relevant Research or Project Proposal

Clearly explain the democracy or human rights issue you want to study or address.

The proposal should establish:

The central research question or project objective. Why the issue is important. How Taiwan is relevant to the work. What activities will be undertaken. Expected outcomes. How the work could contribute to broader understanding or practice.

Step 3: Plan Your Taiwanese Engagement

Applicants should consider which Taiwanese scholars, institutions, researchers, or civil society organizations could contribute to the proposed work. Building meaningful local connections can strengthen the practical and academic value of the fellowship.

Step 4: Demonstrate International Impact

Explain how the proposed work can contribute to wider discussions about democracy and human rights beyond Taiwan. Applicants should demonstrate how their research, project, or professional experience can contr