Collaborative Grant in China Studies

Overview

Between 2021 and 2023, ACLS convened more than 100 scholars, administrators, journalists, librarians, curators, and other stakeholders to identify critical challenges in the field of China studies. In response, ACLS launched the Collaborative Grant program to support innovative pilot initiatives that address pressing needs and drive long-term change in the field. 

Project teams may apply for a grant of up to $120,000 to design and implement initiatives over a period of 12-18 months. Proposed projects must aim to produce scalable and sustainable outcomes that strengthen the scholarly infrastructure of the field. Such outcomes may include pilot graduate training programs, open access digital platforms, cross-institutional partnerships, or OER materials that respond to current needs. Field-wide recommendations and best practices developed through grant-funded activities may be shared with the ACLS Research University Consortium, relevant member societies, and East Asian National Resource Centers.  

Project Guidelines
Prospective applicants should review the Luce/ACLS Program in China Studies page, the 2023 China Studies in an Uncertain Age report, and the China Studies Digital Mapping Project to understand ACLS’ goals, the needs of the field, and the activities ACLS is already undertaking.  

Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that address the following priority areas. ACLS particularly welcomes applications that prioritize international and inter-institutional partnerships, support under-resourced institutions, and strengthen the next generation of China scholars. ACLS will also consider innovative proposals that address pressing needs not captured in these categories. Please note that the Collaborative Grant does not support projects whose primary output is a traditional scholarly volume or conference.

• Enabling Productive Engagement – Building capacity among China scholars and academic institutions to engage policymakers, civil society organizations, and public discourse around China-related issues. Elements may include policy advocacy, public education initiatives, coalition building, and developing resources for academic and civic leaders. This strategic engagement may address issues of research security, barriers to international collaboration and exchange, or advocacy to support vulnerable researchers.
• Teaching and Curricular Resources – Developing and enhancing course syllabi, teaching resources, and pedagogical materials that diversify undergraduate and graduate curricula on China. Projects may focus on creating accessible texts, media, and translated primary sources; supporting early career and teaching faculty; establishing best practices for China-focused instruction; fostering inclusive learning environments that encourage international student participation; or expanding programs that provide resources to populations that otherwise have limited access to China studies.
• Open Access Resources – Expanding open access digital resources for teaching and research through digitization, preservation, and platform development, including increased accessibility to existing digital databases and strengthening print collections.
• Language Training – Expanding access to language training, especially for less commonly taught languages (e.g., Tibetan, Uyghur), for students and faculty at under-resourced institutions while building on new technology and best practices for language pedagogy and remote instruction.
• Research Innovation – Training programs or resource development to address methodological gaps in traditional graduate education and provide emerging China scholars with skills and models for innovative, cross-disciplinary research. This may include digital humanities; artificial intelligence and machine learning applications that complement humanistic approaches; innovative archival and ethnographic methods; community-based research practices; or interdisciplinary frameworks that bridge China studies and other fields.

Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent prior to submitting a full proposal. Evaluation of applications will be undertaken by a selection committee.

Eligibility:

• Project teams may comprise up to six members.
• The project’s principal investigator must have a PhD in the humanities or social sciences or equivalent AND be based at an institution (e.g., college, museum, university, library) in the US or Canada.
• Project teams must represent more than one institution. Preference will be given to groups that include:
  1. Scholars in both well-funded institutions and institutions facing financial or other institutional constraints (evidence of which includes no sabbatical or leave policy and teaching loads greater than 2-2).
  2. A range of academic constituencies as relevant (e.g., administrators, adjunct faculty, language training specialists, graduate students, librarians, experts on digital humanities, pedagogy).
  3. Scholars working at universities in countries outside the United States.
  4. Members from different backgrounds with regard to national origin, educational history, and current university affiliation, as well as in disciplinary approaches, topics, and historical periods studied. We encourage engagement with the diaspora, as well as at-risk researchers. 

Grant Details:

• Grant amount: Up to $120,000 (approximately $20,000 per group member for up to six members)
• Grants may support projects of 12-18 months in duration. Projects must be initiated between September 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026, and completed no later than June 30, 2028.
• Grant funds may be used for planning activities, living expenses, or research costs, including, but not limited to:
• workshops or convenings for project teams
• research leave, course releases, or summer salary
• funds for research (e.g., research assistants, database access, travel to libraries)
• Grant funds may be disbursed in one of two ways: as a single grant to a host institution which will then administer all grant funds; or as separate awards (up to six) to each individual team member. If the grant is made as a single award, the host institution must be a US- or Canada-based institution.
• No indirect costs or institutional overhead is permitted.
• Other support may be accepted for the proposed project.

A midterm report and a final report are required.