NBR Japan Studies Research Fellowship 2024

The Japan Studies Research Fellowship at the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) is a paid, three-month summer fellowship program designed for current undergraduate, community college, and graduate students with a focus on Japan and U.S. policy in Asia.

Those selected will become junior fellows-in-residence at NBR's Seattle office where they will conduct original, independent research and participate in the NBR Summer Seminar featuring high-level speakers. Fellows will also engage with expert mentors, attend regional site visits to consulates, policy hubs, and military bases, attend NBR events, take part in professional development and networking workshops, and present their research to NBR staff and select guests from the policy, academic, and business communities. Tuition to the NBR Summer Seminar is included, as well as a modest stipend intended to support living expenses, research costs, and roundtrip airfare, if necessary.

To learn more about the program, please visit: https://www.nbr.org/jsrf.

This fellowship has been made possible through a generous grant from the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission.

Application Deadline

April 14, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Fellowship Components

Research, Growth, and Mentorship:

After orientation, fellows will begin a three-month (June to August) fellowship conducting original, independent research on U.S.-Japan relations, Japan Studies, and/or Japanese foreign policy. Fellows will refine their research topic with the guidance of experts and NBR mentors, conduct interviews and desk study, and present their findings in a research paper. Fellows will receive periodic feedback and attend NBR events and professional development workshops, in addition to regular check-in meetings with experts and NBR editors.

Summer Seminar:

Fellows will participate in the NBR Summer Seminar featuring lectures by experts in the policy and international relations fields. This intensive program will include presentations, site visits, and external meetings to learn more about U.S. foreign policy in Asia. Fellows will present their research findings to NBR staff and guests from the policy, academic, and business communities.

Summer Learning Series:

Throughout the fellowship period, fellows will attend professional development workshops on topics such as memo writing, email etiquette, budget management, as well as career exploration and networking, to support the development of their careers in the policy community. 

Fellowship Eligibility

Qualified applicants for the Japan Studies Research Fellowship are:

U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Currently enrolled as an undergraduate, community college, or graduate student with a focus on Japan and policy.
Committed to advancing U.S. public policy toward Japan through improved expertise and understanding and/or contributing to the field through policy-relevant scholarly research about Japan.
Able to relocate to Seattle, or already residing there, for the full duration of the fellowship (June through August, 2024).

Individuals who identify as racial or ethnic minorities are encouraged to apply.

Application Process and Timeline

All application materials are due by April 14, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

A selection committee will review applications and conduct interviews in late April and early May. Awards will be announced in May. Fellows will join NBR's Seattle office in person as junior fellows-in-residence from June to August 2024.

Required Materials

To be considered for a fellowship, applicants must submit the following materials through NBR's application website:

A résume or CV (1-2 pages maximum).
A cover letter addressing your qualifications for the fellowship, including academic and professional goals (1-2 pages maximum).
An independent research proposal outlining a topic, why the topic is critical to U.S. policy in Asia, a timeline for completing the project within the three-month fellowship period, and tentative list of sources/bibliography (5 pages maximum).
Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions.
A letter of recommendation from an academic supervisor or professor sent directly to NBR Senior Project Manager Dylan Plung at dplung@nbr.org by April 14, 2024.

About NBR

The National Bureau of Asian Research is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research institution dedicated to informing and strengthening policy in the Asia-Pacific and training the next generation of Asia specialists. NBR conducts advanced independent research on strategic, political, economic, globalization, health, and energy issues affecting U.S. relations with Asia. To learn more about NBR, please visit www.nbr.org.

Contact

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact fellowships@nbr.org.

Additional Information:

This is a paid educational fellowship program and is not an advertisement for employment with The National Bureau of Asian Research. Tuition to the NBR Summer Seminar is included, as well as a modest stipend ($6,000 to $7,000) intended to support living expenses, research costs, and roundtrip airfare, if necessary.

NBR is committed to a workplace where inclusion is not only valued but prioritized. We're an equal opportunity employer and strive to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for this program without regard to race, color, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, pregnancy or parental status, creed, military or veteran status, religion, ancestry, or national origin, disability, or other status or characteristic protected by applicable law.

If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during either the application or the selection process, please email your request to employment@nbr.org.

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NBR Japan Studies Research Fellowship 2024