Blakemore Freeman Language Study Fellowships

Blakemore Freeman Fellowships are awarded for one academic year (two semesters or three quarters) of advanced level language study in East or Southeast Asia. Eligible languages are Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Khmer, Thai, and Vietnamese. The Blakemore Foundation makes grants for study only at specific language programs. Please refer to the current list of approved programs.

Blakemore Fellowships are awarded for one academic year (two semesters)  of advanced level level language study at the the IUP-Chinese Center at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

All fellowship programs cover tuition, and a stipend for related educational expenses, basic living costs and transportation.

Applications for grants for study starting in the 2025/2026 academic year open on July 1, 2024 with an application deadline of December 30, 2024. Grants will be awarded in February and March 2025.

Grants are highly competitive. In recent years we have only been able to fund less than 10% of applicants.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a Blakemore Freeman Fellowship, an applicant must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder) of the United States.
• Be pursuing a professional, business, or academic career that involves the regular use of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, or Khmer.
• By the start of the grant, have at least a bachelor's degree.
• Be at or near an advanced level in the language. By the start of the grant, applicants must have completed (at minimum) the third year of language classes at the college level, through formal classroom study at a college or university and/or in rigorous college-level language programs.
• Be able to devote oneself exclusively to full-time intensive language study during the term of the grant. Grants are not made for part-time study or research.

Selection Criteria

The Blakemore Foundation is looking for individuals who will make significant contributions to their field. The ideal candidate is someone with stellar grades, outstanding recommendations, and a demonstrated commitment to the Asian country and language.

Superior candidates committed to careers in fields such as academia, STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), international business, accounting, law, medicine, journalism, architecture, teaching, social or NGO work, and government service that will require professional fluency in that modern Asian language throughout that individual's life are encouraged to apply.

• A focused, well-defined career objective involving East or SE Asia in which regular 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 relating to an Asian country.
• Prior experience in the Asian country or involvement or participation in activities related to the country.
• Outstanding academic record.

For more information, please visit the Blakemore Foundation Fellowships website.