API Fellowships Program

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

FOR FELLOWS YEAR 2010-2011

(Application submission deadline: August 31, 2009)

API Mission Statement

Public Intellectuals are those—academics, researchers, media professionals, artists, creative writers, NGO activists, social workers, public servants and others with moral authority—who are committed to working for the betterment of society by applying their professional knowledge, wisdom and experience.

The Nippon Foundation Fellowships for Asian Public Intellectuals (API Fellowships Program) is designed to stimulate the creation of a pool of such intellectuals in the region. They aim to promote mutual learning among Asian public intellectuals and to contribute to the growth of public spaces in which effective responses to regional needs can be generated.

What are the goals?

To create and nurture a community of public intellectuals in the Asian region;

To promote mutual learning among Asian public intellectuals; and

To contribute to the growth of public spaces in which effective responses to regional needs can be generated.

In selecting Fellows, API Fellowships Program will favor projects that address critical issues for the region, which use creative and multidisciplinary approaches, and which have some element of advocacy.

What are the themes?

- Changing Identities and their Social, Historical, and Cultural Contexts: e.g., the use of historical memory in building regional and national identities; the construction of cultural majorities and minorities; the role of the media and the arts; the dynamics of cultural encounter; the performance of gender, religion, and class roles.

- Reflections on the Human Condition and the Search for Social Justice: e.g., the distribution of political rights; economic and physical security; the management of social change; the marginalization of peripheral populations; human interaction with the environment.

- Globalization: Structures, Processes, and Alternatives: e.g., the impact of economic integration on states and societies; human and capital migration; the changing role of borders; the meaning of self-reliance; the global marketing of culture; civil society in the era of globalization.

What can I do as a project?

The project may take several forms: research paper; film; series of journalistic articles; data gathering; building networks; work of art, etc., but must fulfill three conditions: it must NOT be part of your regular employment; it must contribute to the goals of the API Fellowships Program, and fit with the API themes; and it must have tangible output (research paper, film, photo essay, etc.).

The project must be carried out in one or more of the API Participating Countries, but NOT in your native country or country of residence. The current Participating Countries are: Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.

You will need to find a Host Insitution in the country where you carry out the project.

Who can apply?

Anyone involved in the production and exchange of knowledge or ideas in line with the goals of API Fellowships Program. This includes academics, researchers, media professionals, artists, writers, NGO workers, social workers, public servants and others who work for the betterment of society.

General eligibility requirements:

- Applicants must hold the nationality or proper resident status in one of the five (5) Participating Countries and reside in the country at the time of application;

- Applicants must attend an interview at a designated date and place;

- The proposed project by the applicant must take place and should be completed within the period of July 1, 2010 to July 31, 2011 (Note: The fellowship period must be continuous.);

- Applicants must have a basic knowledge of English or a laungage(s) spoken in the country(ies) where the proposed research and/or activities are conducted; and

- Applicants must be based in the region/country and will continue to be so in the future.

API Senior Fellowships and API Fellowships?

(Categories of Fellowships)

The API Fellowships Program offers two (2) categories of Fellowships: API Senior Fellowships and API Fellowships. The categorization is based essentially on the age of the applicant.

The API Senior Fellowships are meant for those with an established track record as a public intellectual and who are at least 40 years of age, as of August 31, 2009. The project may be carried out for a minimum of one (1) month to a maximum of twelve (12) months. Up to four (4) API Participating Countries may be visited.

In addition to the general eligibility above, the applicants for the API Senior Fellowships must:

- Be 40 years of age or more as of August 31, 2009 (exceptions may be made);

- Have the ability and experience to conduct research projects and/or professional activities in the Participating Countries other than the applicant's native country or country of residence;

- Undertake the proposed research projects and/or professional activities in up to four (4) of the Participating Countries, but in a country(ies) other than the applicant's native country or country of residence;

- Undertake the proposed research projects and/or professional activities for a continuous period of between one (1) and twelve (12) months (Note: The fellowship period must be continuous.); and

- Have the ability, influence, and means to disseminate the results of their research projects and/or professional activities.


The API Fellowships are for those under 40 years of age, as of August 31, 2009. The project may be carried out for a minimum of four (4) months to a maximum of twelve (12) months. Up to two (2) API Participating Countries may be visited.

In addition to the general eligibility above, the applicants for the API Fellowships must:

- Be under the age of 40 as of August 31, 2009 (exceptions may be made);

- Have the ability and desire to engage in research projects and/or professional activitites in the Participating Countries other than the applicant's native or country of residence;

- Have a strong potential to contribute to their field in the future; - Undertake the proposed research projects and/or professional activities for a consecutive period of between four (4) and twelve (12) months (Note: The fellowship period must be continuous.); and

- Undertake the proposed research projects and/or professional activities in up to two (2) of the Participating Countries, but in a country(ies) other than the applicant's native country or country of residernce.

What are commitments involved?

After the project year, you must attend the annual API Regional Workshop, which usually takes place in November (for applicants for Fellows Year 2010-2011, it will be in November 2011), and present your results by submitting the papers and other materials. You are strongly encouraged to disseminate the results of your project to a wider audience wherever possible.

By fulfilling your commitments, you will become a member of the API Community. You will be expected to participate in the activities of the Community, and will have the chance to apply for post fellowship programs.

What is the API Community?

The API Community is consisted of all past and current recipients of an API Fellowship, and everyone involved in the API Fellowships Program as selection members, program directors, and coordinators. This growing community now members more than 250 persons of varied backgrounds but with a shared commitment. Members meet at national and cross-country functions, as well as through informal networks and collaborative projects at a national and regional level.

What does the API Fellowships Program provide?

- A stipend and housing allowance for the time spent overseas on the project, the amount varies by country;

- International transportation costs, for one round trip only;

- Domestic transportation allowance;

- Research allowance to cover computer costs, field expences, books, tranlation fees, etc.; and

- Travel insurance during the fellowship period.

How are API Fellows chosen?

In each Participating Country, there is a selection committee comprised of established public intellectuals. This committee evaluates all the applications, invites a shortlist for interview, and sends its recommendations to an International Selection Committee which makes the final choice. There are a maximum of six Fellowships for each country per year. The selection procedure is confidential.

What is timing?

- The deadline for application submission is August 31, 2009.

- Interviews will take place in September/October/November 2009.

- The results will be announced in February 2010.

- The project must be carried out between July 1, 2010 and July 31, 2011.

Application materials

An application must include:

1. Application Form
(Please select your native country or country of residence to download the application form.)

- Application form for applicants from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines
(Click here to download application brochure in English)

- Application form for applicants from Japan
(Will be uploaded soon)

- Application form for applicants from Thailand
(Click here to download application brochure in Thai)
Note: For applicants from Thailand, it is required to submit your application materials both in English and Thai.

2. A Cover Letter
A cover letter with brief introduction of yourself and details of why you are applying for the API Fellowships Program.

3. A Curriculum Vitae
A full CV, written in English with details of your education, professional career, publications, and achievements. (Not more than three (3) pages in length.)

4. Two Reference Letters
If these are not in English, you must provide an English translation. These letters should be addressed to the API Fellowships Program, and be written within three (3) months before the deadline for submission.

5. A Project Proposal
Your project proposal must address to the following questions (in less than five (5) pages):

What is your project? Please answer in detail.

Why do you want to carry out this project?

Why are you the right person to do this project?
(mention relevant previous experience.)

How are you going to do it? (methodology)

What will be the outputs (research paper, video, performance, etc.) and how will you disseminate it?

How does the project contribute to the goal of API?

What are your past achievements and future plans as a public intellectual? (organization, advocacy, publication, etc.) How will this Fellowship help you?

Note 1: Project proposals written by persons other than the applicant him/herself are NOT acceptable.

Note 2: Plagiarism in the project proposal is also strictly prohibited.


Please submit the all above documents in one envelope addressed to the Partner Institution in your country.

Please note!

- You cannot apply for an API Fellowship for a project in your own country.

- You must type the application. Handwritten applications cannot be processed.

- If you make any misrepresentation, willful or otherwise, in the application and accompanying documents, it may cause for revocation of the Fellowship grant at any time.