The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation New Professorships in Buddhist Studies

The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation New Professorships in Buddhist Studies offer multi-year grants to colleges and universities wishing to establish or expand teaching in Buddhist Studies. A list of previous New Professorship Awardees can be found here.

Grant Details

• Institutions of higher education worldwide are eligible to apply for grants up to $300,000, to be expended over four years, in support of teaching positions in Buddhist Studies. 
• The grant supports a new, permanent position at institutions that have either a) no Buddhist Studies curriculum or b) no more than one permanent faculty member dedicated to teaching Buddhist Studies curriculum.  
  • If the proposed position replaces a recently vacated role, applicants must explain why the previous position could not be filled through regular means and how the grant would prevent significant disruption to established Buddhist Studies curriculum.
• The new position must either create Buddhist Studies curriculum or substantially strengthen existing Buddhist Studies curriculum at the institution. 
• Award funds should be used only for the salary, benefits, and research expenses associated with the new position. In addition, institutions are eligible to request funds for costs related to a competitive search for the proposed position. The total request must not exceed $300,000. The funds may not be used for university overhead or any indirect/administrative costs or office expenses.
• Institutions must commit to maintaining the seeded position as a permanent, tenure-track post or the equivalent after the conclusion of the grant. 

Eligibility

• Accredited institutions of higher education worldwide are eligible to apply, provided they a) have no Buddhist Studies curriculum or b) do not have more than one permanent faculty member dedicated to teaching Buddhist Studies curriculum.
• The application must be written in English.
• This is a global competition. There are no requirements regarding the location of the institution or the language(s) of instruction.
• Institutions must include a multi-year plan for matching at least one-third of Foundation funding over the grant period.

Application Guidelines

Completed applications must be submitted through the ACLS Online Fellowship and Grant Administration (OFA) System no later than 9:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on January 27, 2026.

Applications must include:

• A completed application form.
• At institutions with a tenure-track system, a letter from the institution’s president, vice-chancellor, rector, provost, or dean expressing the institution’s commitment to maintain the seeded position as a permanent, tenure-track post after the expiration of funding from The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Global and consistent with the university’s policies on tenure-track positions. The letter should state why the institution wishes to develop Buddhist Studies. Letters should be no more than three single-spaced pages in Arial or Helvetica 11-point font.
  
  OR
  
  At institutions without a tenure-track system, a letter from the institution’s president, vice-chancellor, rector, provost, or dean expressing the institution’s commitment to continuing the position for a substantial period after the expiration of funding from The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Global. The letter must provide a description of how this commitment fits its contractual practices. Letters should be no more than three single-spaced pages in Arial or Helvetica 11-point font.
• A statement explaining the need for the proposed new position. The statement should provide context for the request (including any relevant institutional or departmental history), outline the position’s responsibilities, departmental location, rank, fit with the institution’s mission and curricular plans, and the qualifications sought in potential appointees. The statement should also describe the selection process for identifying the appointee. Statements should be no more than 15 double-spaced pages in Arial or Helvetica 11-point font. 
• A budget detailing all expenses, using the following categories: salary, benefits, research expenses, and, if applicable, costs related to a competitive search for the proposed position.
• Institutions must include a multi-year plan for matching at least one-third of Foundation funding over the grant period. The matching ratio need not be the same each year. Please see a sample schedule for sequenced funding that meets the matching requirement here.

Evaluation Criteria

• The significance of the new position for establishing or enhancing Buddhist Studies in the institution’s curricular offerings.
• The strength of the institution’s commitment to establishing a tenure-track position in Buddhist Studies, or at institutions without a tenure-track system, the institution’s commitment to continuing the position for a substantial period of time after the expiration of grant funding.
• The quality of the proposal with regard to the description of the position and its fit within the institution.
• The feasibility of the proposed budget and plan for establishing the new position.
• The institution’s record in teaching and research.

Contact

Questions should be directed to [email protected]. Please read the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) before making inquiries. 

Supporting Documents

• 2025-26 Sample Application for The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation New Professorships in Buddhist Studies
• Sample Budget/Matching Example

Find answers to common questions about this competition.