Blakemore Freeman Fellowships are awarded for one academic year of full-time, intensive language
study at the advanced level in East or Southeast Asia in approved language programs. For grants to be
awarded in spring 2017, study must start between June 2017 and May 2018.
Grants are highly competitive. In recent years we have been able to fund less than 10% of applicants.
Selection Criteria
o A focused, well-defined career objective involving Asia in which regular use of the language is
an important aspect
o The potential to make a significant contribution to a field of study or area of professional or
business activity in an Asian country
o Prior experience in the Asian country or involvement or participation in activities related to the
country
o Good academic, professional or business background, appropriate to the career program
Residency Requirement
Blakemore Freeman Fellows are expected to remain in the study country during the entire period of their grant, except in the event of an emergency, required visa renewal travel or for absences approved in advance by the Foundation. Therefore, a Blakemore Freeman Fellow should not plan to return to the United States for Christmas or other holiday periods.
We encourage Blakemore Freeman Fellows to use holidays and school breaks for modest travel within
their study country and to participate in other activities to expand their language usage outside the
classroom.
Conflicting Activities
Blakemore Freeman Fellows must devote full-time to language study and not engage in any conflicting
activities during the period covered by their grant.
Part-time employment, teaching English, extensive research on a dissertation or involvement in other
projects which could hamper full-time study are not permitted.
Recreational, educational or cultural activities which do not interfere with full-time study are
encouraged, particularly during school and holiday breaks.
Dates of Study and Deferral Policy: Study must start between June 2017 and May 2018, or as limited by the start dates of school terms at the language program involved. No deferrals of start dates will be permitted beyond May 2018.
Application and Acceptance by Language Program
Blakemore Freeman Fellowships are awarded contingent upon the applicant’s unconditional acceptance
by the language program for which the fellowship is awarded.