The MOFA Taiwan Fellowship 2026 in Taiwan is a prestigious fully funded research fellowship for foreign scholars and experts who want to conduct advanced research on Taiwan studies, cross-strait relations, the Asia-Pacific region, Sinology, and related public policy themes at universities or academic institutions in Taiwan. Official Taiwan Fellowship sources show that the 2027 MOFA Taiwan Fellowship application window runs from May 1 to June 30, 2026.

The MOFA Taiwan Fellowship, established by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, supports foreign scholars conducting research related to Taiwan, cross-strait relations, the Asia-Pacific region, and Sinology at Taiwanese institutions. The fellowship provides monthly stipends, round-trip airfare, and accident insurance. Since its launch, over 1,500 scholars from 93 countries have participated.

Basic Information about the Scholarships

• Fellowship name: MOFA Taiwan Fellowship 2026.
• Host country: Taiwan.
• Funding body: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Republic of China (Taiwan).
• Host institutions: Taiwan universities and academic or research institutions.
• Opportunity type: Research fellowship, not a degree scholarship.
• Main research themes: Taiwan-related studies, cross-strait relations, Asia-Pacific studies, Sinology, and related themes such as regional security, anti-disinformation, tech diplomacy, and supply chain resilience in some official mission notices.
• Fellowship duration: Minimum 3 months and maximum 12 months / one year.
• Research period for the 2026 cycle: January 1 to December 31, 2026.
• 2026 application period: May 1 to June 30, 2025 for the 2026 research cycle.
• 2027 application period currently shown on the official site: May 1 to June 30, 2026.
• Application platform: Official Taiwan Fellowship website.

Purpose

• Supports foreign scholars and researchers to conduct research in Taiwan.
• Research topics should relate to:
  • Taiwan
  • Cross-strait relations
  • Mainland China
  • Asia-Pacific studies
  • Sinology (Chinese studies)

University/Institution Details

The MOFA Taiwan Fellowship is established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to support foreign experts and scholars conducting advanced research in Taiwan. Rather than being tied to a single university, the fellowship can be undertaken at universities or academic institutions in Taiwan, which gives applicants flexibility to choose the host institution that best fits their research topic.

Study Areas

The MOFA Taiwan Fellowship is not organized around degree programme names like a university scholarship. Instead, it supports research fields and themes relevant to Taiwan and the region.

Research Fields

Must be in:

• Social sciences
• Humanities

And related to:

• Sinology
• Taiwan
• China/Taiwan relations
• Asia-Pacific studies

MOFA Taiwan Fellowship Benefits

Monthly Stipend

• NT$60,000/month
  • Professors
  • Associate professors
  • Research fellows
• NT$50,000/month
  • Assistant professors
  • Postdoctoral researchers
  • PhD candidates/students
  • Other approved researchers

Other Benefits

• One round-trip economy-class air ticket
• Fellowship duration: 3–12 months
• Accident insurance:
  • NT$1 million accidental death coverage
  • NT$50,000 medical coverage for accidental injury

Benefits Not Included

The fellowship does not cover:​

• Tuition fees for academic programs.
• Housing or accommodation expenses.
• Daily living expenses beyond the provided stipend.
• Additional research funding or materials.​

Eligibility Criteria for the MOFA Taiwan Fellowship

Applicants must be:

• Foreign nationals
• Professors, researchers, postdocs, or PhD students at overseas universities/research institutes
• Eligible categories include foreign professors, associate professors, assistant professors, post-doctoral researchers, doctoral candidates, doctoral students, or research fellows at an equivalent level in overseas academic institutions.
• The proposed research must relate to Taiwan, cross-strait relations, the Asia-Pacific region, or Sinology.
• Research must be conducted at a university or academic institution in Taiwan.
• Applicants should be able to complete a fellowship period of at least 3 months and up to 12 months.
• Fellows are expected to submit a written research report of at least 20 pages within three months after the project ends, according to public fellowship guidance.

Not eligible:

• People already studying, teaching, or researching in Taiwan

Fellowship Regulations

• Research topics cannot be changed without MOFA approval.
• Submit a final research report (min. 20 pages) within 3 months of program completion.
• Participation in MOFA academic events is required.
• No additional scholarships or part-time work allowed without approval.
• Recipients must follow Taiwanese law.
• Expenses beyond fellowship coverage are the recipient’s responsibility.
• All outputs must credit the Taiwan Fellowship.
• Recipients must organize their research and submit travel plans and institutional details before departure.

Important Rules

Recipients:

• Cannot receive another Taiwan-based scholarship simultaneously
• Cannot work part-time without approval
• Must follow Taiwan laws
• Must submit a final research report after the fellowship
• Must mention Taiwan Fellowship support in publications/reports

Required Documents

Prepare:

1. Resume/CV (with publication list)
2. Research proposal (around 3 pages)
3. Two recommendation letters
   OR
   • One recommendation letter
   • One approval letter from institution head

MOFA Taiwan Fellowship Application Process

1. Step 1
   • Complete online application.
2. Step 2
   • Print application and send documents to the nearest Taiwan Embassy/Representative Office.
3. Step 3
   • Applications are reviewed by:
     • Taiwan Embassy/Office
     • MOFA evaluation committee
4. Step 4
   • Selected candidates must obtain a:
     • “Letter of Consent for Research”
       from a university or research institution in Taiwan.
5. Step 5
   • Send the consent letter before December 31.
6. Step 6
   • Receive:
     • Grant Authorization Letter
     • Official fellowship confirmation
7. Step 7
   • Apply for Taiwan FR visa and begin research in Taiwan.

Tips for a Successful Application

• Do not market yourself as a “student applicant” if your profile is actually research-based; the fellowship is built for scholars, not general degree seekers.
• Build a proposal that is clearly Taiwan-centered, not a generic Asia essay with Taiwan mentioned once.
• Connect your project to live themes such as cross-strait issues, regional security, technology governance, or Taiwan’s global role when relevant.
• Choose a Taiwanese host institution that clearly aligns with your field.
• Be precise about deliverables, method, and why Taiwan is essential to the project.
• If applying in 2026, verify whether the live open call is now the 2027 cycle, because the 2026 fellowship application period ran in 2025.
• Prepare for the reporting requirement after the fellowship; this is a results-oriented programme.
• Avoid confusing this fellowship with the separate MOFA Taiwan Scholarship for degree study.

Monthly Living Expenses for International Students (USD)

Taiwan is relatively affordable compared with many major research destinations in East Asia, but actual costs depend heavily on city and housing style.

• Accommodation: USD 250 to USD 700.
• Food and groceries: USD 180 to USD 350.
• Local transportation: USD 30 to USD 90.
• Utilities and internet: USD 40 to USD 100.
• Books and research materials: USD 30 to USD 90.
• Personal expenses: USD 100 to USD 250.
• Estimated monthly total: around USD 630 to USD 1,580 depending on city, housing, and research lifestyle.

This matters because the fellowship stipend can be quite workable in Taiwan, especially outside the highest-cost housing situations.

Why Choose This Scholarship?

• It is funded by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, giving it strong institutional credibility.
• It is one of the best-known fully funded research fellowships in Taiwan for foreign scholars.
• It supports research at Taiwanese universities and academic institutions, not just one narrow host option.
• It offers a solid monthly stipend plus round-trip airfare support.
• It is ideal for scholars working on Taiwan, cross-strait relations, Asia-Pacific studies, and Sinology.
• It supports research stays of 3 to 12 months, which is long enough for meaningful scholarly work.
• Taiwan offers a strong academic environment, open society, and strategic relevance for regional research.

Frequently Asked Questions about the scholarship

Is the MOFA Taiwan Fellowship fully funded?
It is a strong funded research fellowship that provides a monthly stipend and round-trip economy airfare support, with stipend levels depending on the fellow’s academic rank.

Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include foreign professors, associate professors, assistant professors, postdoctoral researchers, doctoral candidates, doctoral students, and equivalent-level research fellows.

Is this a degree scholarship?
No. The MOFA Taiwan Fellowship is a research fellowship, while the MOFA Taiwan Scholarship is the separate programme linked to degree study.

What topics are supported?
The fellowship supports research on Taiwan, cross-strait relations, the Asia-Pacific region, and Sinology, with some official notices also highlighting themes like security, anti-disinformation, tech diplomacy, and supply-chain resilience.

What is the duration of the fellowship?
The research stay must be at least 3 months and can last up to 12 months.

What is the application deadline?
For the 2026 fellowship cycle, applications ran from May 1 to June 30, 2025. The official site currently shows the 2027 cycle opening from May 1 to June 30, 2026.

Do I need a host institution in Taiwan?
You need to conduct the research at a university or academic institution in Taiwan, so host fit is an essential part of a strong application.

Do fellows need to submit a report?
Yes. Public fellowship guidance says recipients must submit a written research report of at least 20 pages within three months after the project ends.

Application Deadline

• Opens every year from May 1 – June 30
• 2027 application cycle: May 1 – June 30, 2026

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Official Link

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