Thai Studies Research Grants Competition for Graduate Students

This funding is made possible with proceeds from the Amnuay-Samonsri Viravan Endowment for Thai Studies.

COVID-19 Response: In light of the global pandemic the committee is willing to consider a wider range of applications than in past years—for examples, for projects that are Thailand focused, but do not include a in-country component.

For graduate students working on Thailand the Center is accepting proposals for conference travel support funds, research fellowships, and internship support. 

Preference will be given to those who have not received funding in the past and who enroll in Thai language courses at U-M.

All awards must be fully spent by April of the year following the award payment.

Award recipients are required to submit a brief narrative written report of the project and outcomes for inclusion in the CSEAS newsletter.  Reports are due to CSEAS (cseas@umich.edu) one month after funds are spent. In addition, all recipients are expected to participate in a Thai Studies Endowment symposium, usually held in the Fall following the award. Please also inform us of any publications or presentations that come from supported research.

The competition deadline is Monday, March 1st at 11:59 PM.

All application materials must be submitted to cseas@umich.edu. Overseas trips require proof of travel insurance, and funds can be dispersed to student accounts only after awardees register with the LSA Health and Safety travel registry, located in CGIS. 

Graduate Student Conference Travel Support

CSEAS provides conference / academic meeting travel support to UM graduate and professional students who meet two requirements: 1) they are carrying out research in or related to Thailand, and 2) their participation at a conference or meeting will disseminate or further advance that research.

This funding program will provide support for transportation and lodging expenses. Candidates must secure approval prior to travel. 

Eligibility: UM graduate students specializing in Thai studies attending academic meetings, conferences or workshops to present papers, participate in a poster session, chair panels, act as discussants, or serve in an executive capacity (e.g., to attend a business meeting as an officer).

Deadline: Rolling

Domestic conference awards will typically not exceed $750 and international conference awards will typically not exceed $2,000.

Please submit the following materials to CSEAS (cseas@umich.edu). Electronic submission by email attachment is preferred.

1.    A statement of about 500 words describing the nature of your participation at the conference and how it contributes to your professional development.

2.    Budget statement outlining expenses for airfare, ground transportation, lodging, and conference registration fee.

3.    A letter of support from your faculty advisor.

Sample Budget

Graduate Student Research Grant

CSEAS provides support for graduate and professional school students doing research on Thailand. Funds can be used to support costs associated with research. Computers and other permanent equipment cannot be funded.

Research awards will typically not exceed $4,000.

Deadline: March 1

Please fill out the online application form and submit the following materials as an electronic submission by email attachment to CSEAS (cseas@umich.edu).  

1. Statement of Purpose of no more than 1000 words describing what you plan to do with the fellowship. The statement should include the following:
   • Goals of your research. What will be learned as a result of the proposed project?
   • Questions you seek to address, their importance to your discipline AND to Thai Studies.
   • Research plan outlining your methodology and showing the specific work to be undertaken during the grant period.  
2. Budget Statement: Please attach a budget statement with reasonable estimates of costs.  You may request direct research expenses (such as books, photocopy, small equipment, library and museum fees, and subject fees) as well as travel expenses related to research travel (such as airfare, ground transportation, and lodging). If you are requesting direct research expenses or travel expenses, please give a detailed breakdown.  Please note that if your fellowship project involves travel outside of North America, you are required to purchase international travel health insurance. Please include the cost of this insurance ($1 per day outside US plus $5 administrative fee) in your budget.
3. Description of other funding for which applicant has applied.
4. Two academic letters of recommendation.

Category	Item	Amount
Personnel	Research Assistant and Translator ($15 x 50 hours)	$750
Travel	Airfare (Detroit-BKK)	$1,200
	Per diem in Thailand ($70 x 15 days)	$1,050
Supplies	Books and journals	$300
	Photocopies	$100
Total requested		$3,400

Graduate Internship Support

CSEAS can provide supplemental support for student internships in Thailand. Funds can be used to support travel to Thailand and to partially offset living costs not covered by other sources. Awards will not exceed $2,000.

Deadline: March 1

Please fill out the online application form and submit the following materials as an electronic submission by email attachment to CSEAS (cseas@umich.edu). 

1.    Description of internship, including the name of the organization, the length of the internship, and any compensation offered by the organization.

2.    Invitation or acceptance letter from the organization 

3.    A list of other funding for which the applicant has applied.

4.    Two academic letters of recommendation.

5.    A copy of the student transcript

6.    Budget statement outlining all expenses (see sample budget above).