Takshashila Institution Announces China Research Fellowship for Aspiring Scholars

 At the end of the Fellowship, five papers will be awarded Rs.1 lakh each in prize money for research papers determined by the jury

BENGALURU, India, April 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Takshashila Institution, India's premier independent centre for research and education in public policy, has announced its Network for Advanced Study of China (NASC) Fellowship, a unique programme that aims to create high quality scholarship and knowledge of China by nurturing new generations of analysts in academia, armed forces, think tanks, media and industry.

"The multi-year programme will create a cross-disciplinary community of scholars and a body-of-knowledge that will inform policy, strategy, economics, technology and society," said Nitin Pai, Co-founder and Director, Takshashila Institution.

NASC invites applications from researchers from any background, including from universities, research institutes, media, government services and industry, who are enthusiastic about undertaking fresh research on China.

The NASC Fellowship offers opportunities for fellows to work under the co-guidance of foremost experts and work towards a publication in the leading journals and publications in the field. In addition, a cash prize of ₹1 lakh will be awarded to each of the five best papers determined by the jury.

"NASC fellows will undertake research in one or more of the following areas including inner-party politics & governance, economy; defence, geopolitics; environment; education; technology; society and urbanisation," said Manoj Kewalramani, Fellow, China Studies at The Takshashila Institution.

Prospective fellows must either be working or studying in India, have at least an undergraduate degree and be proficient in English.

The application window for the Pioneer NASC Fellowship Cohort is now open:

• April 17th, 2023 - Call for concept note of research papers
• May 31st, 2023 – Research proposal submission deadline
• June 20th, 2023 - Evaluation & selection of fellows
• July 1st, 2023 – Start of NASC fellowship
• October 1st, 2023 - Submission of draft papers
• October 14th & 15th, 2023 - Two-day residential workshop in Bangalore. This will feature sessions on understanding China, conducting open source research, and research methodologies, along with brief presentations by the fellows on their papers.
• October 31st, 2023 - Formal feedback on the draft papers by mentors
• January 15th, 2024 - Submission of final papers
• March 1st, 2024 - Announcement of top 5 paper submissions by an independent academic panel
• End March-early April, 2024 - Two-day workshop with presentations by fellows on their research

Selection process

Prospective fellows must submit a brief research proposal (2000 words max) demonstrating their interest and capability to complete the project. The proposal submission process begins from April 17th, 2023, and ends on May 31st, 2023. The proposal should clearly state the current gaps in research and how the author(s) would approach the issue.

Along with the research proposal submission, the author(s) must also send a past writing sample, either published or unpublished, on any topic that is more than 1000 words.

Up to three authors can submit a joint proposal. Multidisciplinary approaches and collaborations are encouraged.

Post-screening process

After evaluation and screening, selected applicants will be invited to join the fellowship, assigned mentors and projects. The best research outputs will be rewarded with cash prizes and commendations.

About Takshashila

The Takshashila Institution is an independent centre for research and education in public policy. It is a non-partisan, non-profit organisation that seeks to transform India through better public policies, and bridging the governance gap by developing better public servants, civil society leaders, professionals, and informed citizens. Takshashila creates change by connecting good people, to good ideas and good networks. It produces independent policy research in a number of areas of governance, it grooms civic leaders through its online education programmes and engages in public discourse through its publications and digital media.

For more details, visit: https://takshashila.org.in/network-for-advanced-study-of-china-nasc

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