2021 Linen Summer Grants for Study in Asia
Supported by an endowment for Asian Studies established by family and friends in memory of James A. Linen III, Class of 1934, the Department of Asian Studies offers a limited number of grants to assist Williams College undergraduates in traveling to Asia during the summer for educational purposes. For the purposes of these grants, “Asia” refers to South, Southeast, and East Asia, defined as those parts of the continent east of the Khyber Pass and south and east of the Tian Shan Mountains and the Gobi Desert.
The Linen Grant Selection Committee will give highest priority to funding proposals that contribute to developing a student’s scholarship in a serious and well-focused way. Proposals might include conducting research for an honor’s thesis; pursuing other kinds of independent research projects under the supervision of a member of the Asian Studies faculty; or participating in an intensive language training program (at the third-year level or higher, except in very unusual circumstances).
***Please note that due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Department is unsure as to whether the College will sponsor overseas travel and study. We will update students as we know more. ***
Basic eligibility requirements are:
- Applicant should at the time of application be a junior, sophomore, or first-year (seniors who graduate this coming June are not eligible).
- Applicant should have taken (or currently be taking) at least one course related to Asia.
While any student who meets the above basic requirements is eligible to apply, priority will be given to students majoring (or planning to major) in Asian Studies, Chinese, or Japanese. Applicants’ academic records will also be taken into consideration.
Students who wish to be considered for Linen grants should:
- Contact two Williams faculty who will agree to be references. If the applicant is proposing a research project, the applicant should request a brief statement of support from a member of the Williams faculty who has agreed to supervise or serve as advisor for the project. The statement should be emailed to Ms. Sarah Russell at ser4@williams.edu by the application deadline.
- Fill out the application from at https://forms.gle/pUGCq68j983UJFTQ9
- Submit the proposal (in one PDF file) through the Glow course “Asian Studies Funding Opportunities” (look for the “submit assignment” button in the “2021 Linen Summer Grants for Study in Asia” page). You may self enroll at https://glow.williams.edu/enroll/PGJHAC if you haven’t already done so.
The deadline for application is Friday, April 2nd.
Your proposal should include three parts (please include in one PDF file and use your name as the file name, e.g. John_Doe.pdf. If you do not know how to compile a PDF file, please consult with the OIT help desk. You should be able to use a scanner or a digital sender located in the libraries to easily generate PDF files):
- Part One: A project proposal of 500-1000 words for a research project and 200-500 words for language study. The research proposal should describe in detail the project to be undertaken. Whether the project consists of a research project or language study, the proposal should include a detailed explanation of how the project fits in with the student’s present and future study and career plans. Also please include the names of your faculty references.
- Part Two: A detailed project budget indicating the amount requested and the purposes to which it will be put. We encourage you to seek additional sources of funding; please indicate what other sources of funding have been or will be applied for and the anticipated amounts of those awards. Students who are applying for the Linen Grants are strongly advised to apply for the Wilmers Language Grants and Wilmers Travel Fellowships through the college Fellowship Office. Please indicate in your application if you have applied for these or other external funding.
- Part Three: A copy of your Academic Progress Report
The grants will be awarded according to the merits of the proposal as well as the applicant’s academic record, the priorities mentioned in this announcement, and the availability of funds. A typical award based on merit ranges between $500 and $5000. Some additional need-based scholarships may also be available (students will automatically be considered for the need-based scholarships).
Disbursement of grants will be through payment of invoices or reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses based on receipts. We hope to be able to inform applicants of the committee’s decision by April 26th. Students who have questions about the Linen Summer Grants may contact Professor Sam Crane, scrane@williams.edu