Arts, Education, Humanities, Professional Fields and Social Sciences (Postdoctoral Scholar Award)
Taiwan
Number of recipients
In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.
Conduct postdoctoral research and/or collaborate with Taiwanese academic and research institutions. Activities may include presenting lectures, seminars and workshops as arranged by the host institution.
Any appropriate institution including nonprofit institutions of higher education and research, accredited colleges, accredited universities, libraries, archives, museums, arts centers, hospitals, public television and radio stations, government agencies, national laboratories, privately sponsored nonprofit institutes, nonprofit organizations, government charted nonprofit research organizations, and foundations.
Six to ten months
Grants must begin between September 1, 2025 and April 1, 2026, and they must be completed by September 30, 2026. See Additional Comments.
Applications are sought in all appropriate specializations, but applications in the following specializations are preferred: Chinese and/or Taiwan studies; creativity, innovation and cultural industry; Cross-Strait studies; entrepreneurship; health care policy; international affairs; international education; international relations; management; marine science; migration and immigration policy; public policy; public safety; science, technology and innovation policy; and tourism.
Additional depth and breadth are encouraged in seven general areas: "Indigenous People Initiative," "Pacific Corals Holistic Project," "Tomorrow's Rivers Initiative," "English Education Project," "Cross-Strait Studies," "Public Health", and "Arts & Culture." Please visit the Fulbright Taiwan website for examples.
Fulbright East Asia Pacific Regional Travel Program
As conditions allow, Fulbright Scholars in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region may have the opportunity to apply for funds to support short-term (3-14 days) travel to other countries in the EAP region for activities such as lectures, workshops, graduate or faculty seminars, master classes or recitals, curricular advising or panel presentations. EAP Regional Travel Program funding covers transportation only. Regional Travel Program activities/host sites should not be included in the initial Fulbright application. Scholars may start the process of seeking out invitations for short-term activities in other EAP countries once notified that they have been selected for a Fulbright grant, but will only be able to apply for travel program funds, conditions permitting, once they have actively started their Fulbright grant in their host country. Scholars on Flex grants are not eligible for the regional travel grant.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Applicants are encouraged to obtain a letter of invitation from the potential host institution and submit it at the time of application. Applicants without an invitation letter may indicate preferred affiliations, Fulbright Taiwan will arrange and finalize all affiliations in consultation with potential hosts.
Please be mindful July and August are the traditional summer vacation months in Taiwan and responses to inquiries about the invitation letters may be delayed. Applicants are advised to contact Taiwanese host institutions well ahead of time to solicit an invitation letter for their application. When asking your contact to write an invitation letter, please indicate consent to the visit, the period of the visit, the name of the host who will be primarily working with the scholar, a description of the host's interest in the applicant's project and how it will benefit the host institution such as the benefits of the scholar's visit to the host institution (for research cooperation or teaching for example), long-term benefits of the visit, benefits of the scholar's visit beyond the host institution (for the academic field or society, for example), etc.
Host institutions have offered some of the following services to previous Fulbright scholars per request: housing relocation assistance, university office space, secretarial assistance, access to library resources, IT and laboratory facilities, on-campus healthcare and extracurricular resources (sports, etc). University housing is not usually available for only research grantees. The Foundation for Scholarly Exchange (Fulbright Taiwan) will provide a partial housing supplement.
Previous research grantees have been affiliated with such organizations as Academia Sinica, National Central Library, National Palace Museum, National Health Research Institute, National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium, and many universities.
Collaboration with local scholars is highly desirable.
For projects requiring or public engagement, Mandarin language fluency sufficient to complete the research project is required; applicants must complete the Language Proficiency Report: Self Evaluation and, if applicable, the Language Proficiency Report: External Evaluation. Applicants without Mandarin language skills should explicitly address the issue in their discussion of the feasibility of the project in their project proposal.
Applicants should be no more than three years beyond the completion of their doctorate at the time of application.
Applicants must attain their doctorate by the proposed start date of their grant.
- Fulbright Taiwan
- List of universities and colleges in Taiwan
- Education in Taiwan
- Academic Sinica
- National Central Library
- National Palace Museum
- National Health Research Institute
- National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium
- Learn Chinese in Taiwan
For more information, please visit our East Asia and the Pacific regional webpage and view our schedule of upcoming webinars.
Email the East Asia and the Pacific Team with questions about applying.
Monthly Support:
- Base stipend of NT$30,000 (US$1,000) per month
- Living allowance of NT$27,000 (US$900) per month; an additional NT$6,000 (US$200) for accompanying spouse and NT$6,000 (US$200) per accompanying child, up to two.
- Housing allowance of NT$15,000 (US$500) per month for the grantee including accompanying spouse; if the number of accompanying dependents is two or more people, the housing allowance is NT$21,000 (US$700)
(*Exchange rate: US$1.00 ≈ 30.00)
Note: - The actual payment amount is based on the above-mentioned Taiwan dollars. Currency exchange rates are subject to fluctuation (usually between NT$27 and NT$32 to the US dollar).
- The funds will be paid in NTD to a local Taiwan bank account.
- A direct roundtrip economy-class air ticket will be provided for the grantee and up to three accompanying dependents
- A one-time settling-in allowance and baggage allowance of NT$36,000 (US$1,200) upon arrival
(*Exchange rate: US$1.00 ≈ NT$30.00)
- One-time research allowance of NT$15,000 (US$500)
(*Exchange rate: US$1.00 ≈ NT$28.00-NT$30.00)
Currency: The New Taiwan dollar is the official currency of Taiwan. The currency code is TWD and this is commonly abbreviated as NT$ or NTD$. Cash payment is common in Taiwan though many shops also accept credit cards, Easy Card and iPass. Checks are not normally used in Taiwan for payment of everyday expenses. Most banks offer foreign currency exchange and bank services in NT dollars. Foreigners possess the Alien Resident Certificate can open a Taiwanese bank account. The minimum monthly wage is NT$27,470 (US$915) and the average regular monthly income is NT$44,724 (US$1,490) in 2023. The minimum cost of living per month is NT$24,834 (US$801) in 2023. The cost of living is low – as it is really affordable for foreigners to live, travel, and study.
Transportation: There are currently five MRT systems in Taiwan: Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taoyuan, New Taipei and Taichung. Urban train system is inexpensive and efficient - you can get to one side of the city from the other for NT$60 (US$2). Bus fares cost even cheaper for NT$15-25 (US$0.5-0.9). During daytime, the starting amount for a cab in Taipei is NT$70 (US$2.3), and NT$20 (US$0.7) is about 1-kilometer ride. An Easy Card or iPass can be purchased at all MRT stations and convenience stores. They not only can get through all the public transportation around Taiwan, but also can be used as a payment card in many stores. The Easy Card and iPass cost NT$100 (US$3.3). After you got the card, you can top up as many amounts as you want via machines in the MRT station or the convenience stores.
Rent: Housing standards here are generally quite acceptable, but apartments are usually smaller than you might be used to, especially in big cities like Taipei. Rent varies considerably depending on location, sharing arrangements, and quality of apartment. The majority of our international students in Taipei and Taichung pay between NT$8,000 (US$267) and $16,000 (US$533) per month. Elsewhere, rent is cheaper. Apartments usually come unfurnished, but sometimes the landlord or the previous occupants leave basic furnishings. Air conditioning is common, but central heating is very rare as there is little need for it.
Tuition: Public school is free in Taiwan from Grade 1-12 (as it is compulsory for all children to attend school for 12 years). The annual cost for international schools is between US$20,000 and US$35,000. The cost for undergraduate degree each year is between US$1,800 and US$2,500 and also the cost for the graduate degree each year is between US$1,800 and US$5,000.
Phone and Internet: Some of the largest mobile providers in Taiwan are Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, FarEasTone, and T Star. Their websites have detailed price plans and the full list of services available to customers. A mobile phone contract will give expats a much more permanent solution to communications in Taiwan, with more services and talk time with monthly bills. Most apartment rentals include cable and internet service.
Food: Taiwan is world-known for its great varieties of cuisine, and the cost is quite affordable. You can easily find local rice, noodle, soup, or dumplings dish for between NT$40 (US$1.3) and NT$100 (US$3.3). A Big Mac, fries, and soda set from McDonald’s costs about NT$180 (US$6). Dinner for two in a good restaurant will cost about NT$1,000 (US$33.3). Supermarkets sell local and imported product at average prices. Finding vegetarian food is not very difficult. The cost of food and drinks is about NT$400-500 (US$13.3-16.7) per day.
Entertainment: Movie tickets cost about NT$260-330 (US$8.7-$11) base on location. The cost for the Taipei Fine Arts Museum (TFAM), the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), or the National Place Museum are NT$30 (US$1), NT$50 (US$1.7), and NT$350 (US$11.7) admission respectively. Taiwan has many great hiking trails and most of them are free for charge. If you have an Easycard or credit card, you can rent a Ubike in all major cities of Taiwan. The process is very easy and the rate is affordable.
Cost of Health Insurance: With the comprehensive medical facilities, convenient clinical visits, friendly service attitude and state-of-the- art equipment, medical costs are very competitive in comparison with other advanced countries. Taiwan has become a leading choice for overseas medical treatments. The health system in Taiwan is extremely advanced, convenient, and affordable. Clinics are readily accessible; every visit costs about US$6-US$16 and this covers all the bills including medication.
- After receiving the Taiwan Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), national health insurance will be provided
- After accompanying, qualifying dependents obtain the Taiwan ARC and have been in Taiwan for 6 months continuously and calculate from ARC isssued date, national health insurance will be provided
- Exemption from Taiwan visa application fee (US$160)
- Exemption from Taiwan income tax on the Fulbright stipend
Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
Taiwan
With a thriving economy, buoyed by rapid technological advancement, a healthcare revolution, and a vibrant media landscape, Taiwan boasts top global universities and academic departments equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.
There are three types of higher education institutions in Taiwan: private and public universities, junior colleges, and technical institutes. There are about 1.3 million students of higher education attending more than 160 institutions. Taiwan seeks to bolster the quality of instructors in the coming years. Through these efforts, Taiwan believes a comprehensive curriculum will be truly beneficial for students entering the job market.
Taiwan's health care system is often measured against the world’s best. With its comprehensive medical facilities, convenient clinical visits, quality medical system, friendly service attitude, and state-of-the-art-equipment, medical costs are very competitive in comparison with other advanced countries. Taiwan has become a leading choice for overseas medical treatments. Our U.S. grantees are offered Taiwan National Health Insurance during their grant periods after receiving the Taiwan Alien Resident Certificate (ARC). Also, they are exempted from Taiwan visa application fee (US$160) - it also applies to their dependents, and Taiwan Income Tax on the Fulbright stipend. In addition, there are airport pick-up and drop-off services provided.
Taiwan is considered to be a very safe country and has high quality of life with great food, comfortable accommodations, extremely convenient transportation (there are metro systems in Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taoyuan, New Taipei, and Taichung), fast internet, and beautiful scenery. The cost of living in Taiwan is relatively low and is a great place to learn Chinese (almost everyone here speaks Mandarin Chinese). The weather is nice most of time throughout the year. Winters are not too cold and summers have lots of sunshine.
The academic year runs from mid-September to late June. The first semester is from September to January; the second semester is from late January or early February to late June (depending on the lunar calendar).
2017-2018 Fulbright Senior Scholar: “Our year in Taiwan has given me and my family a tremendous appreciation for the people of Taiwan, and we are grateful for their hospitality. It also transformed my kids into curious world travelers. Get LINE social messaging app. It is the best way to contact people in Taiwan. Local sports centers are great, including swimming classes for kids. People are very friendly...start up a conversation!” “Apartment brokers can help find housing when you are still abroad. Get an international drivers license before leaving the US (and change to a "driving visa" in Taiwan). Get a local phone immediately. The Taiwanese people are very friendly and welcoming to Americans and foreigners in general.”
2020-2021 Fulbright Senior Scholar: “The food in Taiwan is delicious and affordable. The MRT is very convenient. Taxis are cheap. The National Central Library's Center for Chinese Studies is very accommodating. It provides CCS scholars with individual offices and the staff are very helpful in assisting scholars in their research by finding sources for them.”
2020-2021 Fulbright Senior Scholar: “Taiwan is an incredibly welcoming place. It feels like if you are kind to people, they will be kind to you. I really had absolutely no issues with Taiwanese culture even though I don't speak Mandarin.”
2021-2022 Fulbright Senior Scholar: "The Fulbright experience exceeded my expectations magnificently. The vision and activity of Fulbright Taiwan left me impressed at every turn, and I feel deeply invested in the future of the program. I have never been so well supported at any point in my career."
2021-2022 Fulbright Senior Scholar: "The Fulbright experience has more than met my expectations in many aspects: building knowledge and connections, rejuvenating teaching and research, quality of life in Taiwan, establishing log-term collaborations and friendships."
- 2022-2023 Fulbright Senior Scholar:
"I want to extend my personal and professional appreciation for the support from all the people at Fulbright Taiwan. This opportunity has provided me with significant insights, amazing learning opportunities, strong international collegial relationships, and unforgettable memories."
- 2022-2023 Fulbright Senior Scholar:
“My time in Taiwan has been incredibly transformative, not just in terms of my academic pursuits but also in fostering significant personal growth. Immersed in a new cultural environment, I embraced the opportunity to expand my horizons, challenge my preconceptions, and broaden my perspectives. There are several experiences that have had a profound influence on my personal life: my venture into learning drawing and martial arts, and my travel experiences. During my travels, I have encountered numerous remarkable Taiwanese individuals. Their kindness and hospitality have touched me deeply. I have frequently shared my experiences on social media with my friends so that they gain a greater understanding of the magnificence of Taiwan and the remarkable people who live on this island. It has expanded my understanding of the world and offered an environment in which I could become a more open-minded and well-rounded individual. I am greatly thankful to Fulbright for granting me the opportunity to spend 10 months in Taiwan.”
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Fall and 10-month grantees should be in Taiwan in time for the Welcome Meeting (usually the Friday after Labor Day). Fall grantees should try to stay through the Midyear Conference at the end of January. If an exception is made regarding arrival, the grantee is required to stay through the Midyear Conference.
Spring grantees are strongly encouraged to arrive before the Midyear Conference. (Dates can be confirmed with Fulbright Taiwan.)