Competition

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

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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 proposed position should be a new position. If the proposed position is a replacement for a retirement or otherwise vacated position where Buddhist Studies at the institution would be significantly affected without award funds, the proposal should make that case.
  • The establishment of the position must contribute significantly to the institution. This has been taken to mean establishing a curriculum in Buddhist Studies where none has existed or where such a curriculum was in clear and urgent need of support.
  • Award funds should be used only for the new professor’s salary, benefits, and research expenses, not for indirect or administrative costs, or office expenses. No university overhead is permitted.
  • In addition, applicant institutions are eligible to request funds for costs related to a competitive search for the proposed position. The request must not exceed the $300,000 maximum.
  • A letter must be attached to the application 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 The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Global’s funding, consistent with the university’s policies on tenure-track positions. At institutions without a tenure-track system, the applicant institution must commit to continuing the position for a substantial period after the expiration of grant funding and must provide a description of how this commitment fits its contractual practices.
  • The heart of the application is a statement outlining the proposed position—its responsibilities, departmental location, its rank, the fit with the institution’s mission and curricular plans, and the qualifications sought in potential appointees. The statement should describe the process of identifying the appointee.
  • Completed applications must be submitted through the ACLS Online Fellowship and Grant Administration (OFA) System (ofa.acls.org) no later than 9PM Eastern Standard Time, January 11, 2023.

Eligibility

  • Institutions of higher education worldwide–accredited colleges and universities–are eligible to apply.
  • 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.
  • Applications must include a multi-year plan for matching at least 1/3 of Foundation funding over the grant period, but the matching ratio need not be the same each year. (Please see a sample schedule for sequenced funding that meets the matching requirement here.)

Application Guidelines

Applications must include:

  • A completed application form submitted through the Online Fellowship and Grant Administration (OFA) System (ofa.acls.org)
  • 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. The letter should state why the institution wishes to develop Buddhist studies (no more than 3 single-spaced pages in Times New Roman 11-point font).

At institutions without a tenure-track system, the applicant must commit to continuing the position for a substantial period after the expiration of grant funding and must provide a description of how this commitment fits its contractual practices.

  • A budget submitted by the institution detailing all expenses, using the following categories: salary, benefits, research expenses, and, if applicable, costs related to a competitive search for the proposed position
  • An application statement outlining the new proposed position—its responsibilities, departmental location, its rank, the fit with the institution’s mission and curricular plans, and the qualifications sought in potential appointees. Please describe the process of identifying the appointee (no more than 15 double-spaced pages in Times New Roman 11-point font).

Evaluation Criteria

  • The strength of the institution’s commitment to establishing a tenure-track position in Buddhist Studies. At institutions without a tenure-track system, the applicant must commit to continuing the position for a substantial period after the expiration of grant funding and must provide a description of how this commitment fits its contractual practices.
  • The significance of the new professorship for adding or enhancing Buddhist studies in the institution’s curricular offerings.
  • Coherence and cogency of presentation.
  • Feasibility of the proposed budget and plan of 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