Competition

The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Translation Grants in Buddhist Studies

Translation has been at the core of Buddhism since the Buddha’s instruction to his monks to teach the dharma in many languages.

These grants support translations of important Buddhist texts for the benefit of contemporary audiences who currently do not have access to them in their own languages. Applicants may propose work including, but not limited to, translation of canonical texts into modern vernaculars or the translation of scholarly works on Buddhism from one modern language into another.

Collaborative projects are welcome.

Award funds can be used as stipends for work performed (e.g., to secure release time or to pay assistants), for travel, and for related office costs, including reproduction or digitization of images. A budget is required.

There are no restrictions as to the language of the final product prepared for publication.

Grant Details

Eligibility

  • Individual applicants and leaders of collaborative teams must have PhD degrees conferred by an accredited university. (An established scholar who can demonstrate the equivalent of the PhD in publications and professional experience may also qualify.)
    • If the degree is not conferred by the deadline, applicants must submit an institutional statement signed by a university official (Department Chair or Dean) confirming that the applicant is on schedule to complete the PhD by April 15, 2023. Nominees will have to provide confirmation that the degree has been conferred before becoming fellows.
  • The application must be written in English by the applicant.
  • There are no restrictions as to the location of work proposed or the citizenship/residence of applicants.

Application Guidelines

Applications must include:

  • The proposal (no more than 5 double-spaced pages in Times New Roman 11-point font)
  • Up to 2 additional pages of images, musical scores, or other similar supporting non-text materials [Optional]
  • A bibliography (no more than 2 pages, double-spaced between entries, Times New Roman 11-point font)
  • Applicant’s statement (no more than 1 page, single- or double-spaced, in Times New Roman 11-point font) describing the intellectual trajectory and experiences that brought the applicant to the current stage of academic career and that motivate plans for the future. ACLS is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of the fellowship application process. Please use the personal statement to note any relevant information about your personal background and/or ways in which your proposed research addresses issues related to underrepresented minorities.
  • A sample of the text(s) proposed for translation: in the original and in translated form (if the translation has already begun). Applicants/teams who have not yet started the project should submit a sample of previous work.
  • A budget statement, outlining costs for salary replacement, travel, research materials, research assistants, etc. (No indirect costs or institutional overheard is permitted.)
  • A list of the applicant’s publications (no more than 2 pages, double-spaced between entries, Times New Roman 11-point font)
  • Two reference letters that provide explicit information on the proposed project and the applicant (and the collaborators, if any), submitted through the ACLS Online Fellowship and Grant Administration (OFA) System

Required only for collaborative projects:

  • A brief description of the collaborative team: it should list all the collaborators who will work on the project (including the applicant) and their affiliations; brief statements about each team member’s proposed contribution to the project; and any additional information about the team not listed elsewhere in this application.
  • CVs of all collaborators (not required from team leader/applicant) (Three pages maximum for each CV)

Evaluation Criteria

  • Significance of the text to be translated.
  • The potential contribution to Buddhist Studies of the translation, especially the potential benefit to scholarly communities using the target language.
  • Feasibility of the plan of work and the budget proposed.
  • Record of applicants’ accomplishment in scholarship and translation.

Contact

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

Supporting Documents