Blakemore Freeman Fellowships are awarded for one academic year of full-time, intensive language study of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, or Khmer at the advanced level in approved language programs in East or Southeast Asia. Applicants must be American citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
Who should apply? The Blakemore Foundation is looking for high-achieving 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. Beyond commitment, we are looking for purpose: a career path that will benefit from professional fluency in that modern Asian language throughout that individual's life. Superior candidates pursuing careers in fields such as academia, STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), environmental studies, international business, accounting, law, medicine, journalism, architecture, teaching, social or NGO work, and government service are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility Requirements
• Be an American citizen or permanent resident 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 minimum) 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
• 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.
Eligible Language Programs
Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies; Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies; International Chinese Language Program at National Taiwan University; Seoul National University; Sogang University; Inter-University Center for Korean Language Studies at Sungkyunkwan University; similar programs in Southeast Asia