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SEASREP

Announcement of

Southeast Asian Language Training Grants

for 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009

The Southeast Asian Language Training Grant Program is a sub-program of the Southeast Asian Studies Regional Exchange Program (SEASREP) administered by the SEASREP Foundation. Jointly funded by the Toyota Foundation and the Japan Foundation (hereinafter called the partner organizations), SEASREP aims to promote Southeast Asian studies in Southeast Asia.

The SEASREP Foundation is composed of individual Southeast Asian scholars from various Southeast Asian universities and research institutions.

For further inquiries and copies of the application form, writeto:

The SEASREP Foundation

Unit 612-613 Residencia de Regina

94 Xavierville Avenue

Loyola Heights, Quezon City 1108

Philippines

Tel. No. 632-7090854

Fax No. 632-7090891

E-mail:

Website:

Application forms may also be obtained from Japan Foundation offices in Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Manila. Forms may also be downloaded from the SEASREP home page at or the Toyota Foundation homepage by following the links to Programs Related to Southeast Asia at

1.Objectives

The Southeast Asian Language Training Grant supports the study of a foreign Southeast Asian national or local language through: (a) a formally enrolled course, or (b) a non-degree course with a private tutor duly accredited by a university or known institution. The purpose of the grant is to enable Southeast Asian graduate students and faculty members to acquire proficiency in a Southeast Asian language (or local language) other than their own for individual research, the institutional development of a Southeast Asian course or program, or a teaching position. (Please note that Malaysian and Indonesian applicants are not eligible to apply for the study of each other’s languages.) Priority shall, however, be given to applications where language training is a tool for research.

2.Eligibility

Southeast Asian nationals enrolled in graduate programs in the social sciences or humanities in anyuniversity in Southeast Asia, or teaching at any university in Southeast Asia, are eligible to take a languagetraining course in a recognized language training institute in the region (outside one’s country) or directly from a tutor.

Applicants must not be older than 40 years old.

3.Scope

Any foreign Southeast Asian national or local language as defined in the objectives of the grant can be studied in either or both of the following ways:

a.Enrollment in a formal course offered in a recognized language training institute in Southeast Asia;

b.Training with a private tutor accredited by a university or reputable academic institution.

4.Terms of Grant

(a)Grant period

Grants will support study from four to twelve months during the one-year grant period beginning 1 April 2008.

Grant funds will be disbursedin late April.

(b)Grant amount

The maximum amounts of individual grants are as follows:

For M.A. candidate:living allowance$250- 350 per month x 4 ~ 12 months foreign travel actual cost (economy)

book allowance$300

tutor’s fee$250 per month x 4 ~ 12 months tuition fee $400 per semester x1~2 semesters

For Ph.D. candidate:

living allowance$400 - 550 per month x 4 ~ 12 months

foreign travelactual cost (economy)

book allowance$300

tutor’s fee$250 per month x 4 ~ 12 months

tuition fee$400 per semester x1~2 semesters

5.Selection Procedure

(a)Screening process

Applications will be evaluated by the SEASREP Selection Committee and grants will be approved by the Boards of Directors of the partner organizations in March 2008. Applicants will be notified of the decision on their applications in writing in late March.

The screening criteria are as follows:

The grant is clearly necessary to the applicant’s program of study, research or teaching function.

The program of study, research or teaching activity is well-planned and will contribute to the development of Southeast Asian studies from both the individual applicant’s and his/her institution’s perspectives.

(b)Implementation

By signing and returning an acceptance form, which is attached to the grant letter sent by the SEASREP Foundation, the grant recipient agrees to the Terms and Conditions of the grant. In the middle of the language training period, an interim progress report and financial report are to be submitted to the SEASREP Foundation. At the end of the study period, a final narrative report and financial report are to be submitted also to the SEASREP Foundation. A certificate of proficiency in the language issued by the university or the tutor should also be submitted at the end of the study period.

6.Application Procedure

(a)Documents to be submitted

Application form, which can be obtained from the SEASREP Foundation, the Japan Foundation offices in the region, and the websites of SEASREP and Toyota Foundation. Application is to be submitted in English and must be typed using size 10 font or bigger. Handwritten application will not be accepted. If the electronic version of the application form will be used, please do not change the format of the form, pagination, fonts or type size.

Letter of acceptance from the university for enrollment in a degree or non-degree course and/or letter of agreement from the tutor, including tuition or tutor’s fee.

In the case of a graduate student, recommendationletter from faculty adviser in his/her department/institute assessing the student and justifying the need to acquire that language.

In the case of a faculty member or researcher, letter from the head of his/her department/institute explaining the need for such language proficiency from the point of view of the institution (e.g. existence of a Southeast Asia program, plan to set up one, etc.)

All documents are to be sent to the SEASREP Foundation.

(b)Deadline

Applications must be postmarked or e-mailed to no later than 1 October 2007. SEASREP will not accept applications by fax.

  1. Information on language training institutes

For a list and information on language training institutes in Southeast Asia, please contact the SEASREP Foundation or visit the SEASREP website.