[The following message was received by email from the Asia Institute, University of Melbourne.]

The Thai Studies Field Research Grants will be awarded for the first time in 2011. The grant scheme is funded by the Royal Thai Embassy in Australia and administered by the Asia Institute, University of Melbourne

The purpose of the grants is to promote Thai Studies in Australia and to increase Australia’s engagement with Thailand. In particular, the Thai Research Studies Grant is intended to provide promising scholars with funding to pursue field research in support of their postgraduate and/or postdoctoral studies. The Thai Studies Field Research Grants are flexible and adaptable to the applicant’s personal circumstances.

Applications will be assessed by an independent academic panel derived from a number of Australian universities. The selection panel will be chaired by Professor Pookong Kee, Director of the Asia Institute at the University of Melbourne.

All applicants must complete the Application Form.

Eligibility

  • Grants are open to postgraduate and honours level students currently enrolled in any Australian university. For students, proof of current enrolment must be included with your application. The application must be supported by the student’s principal research supervisor. Early career post-doctoral researchers are also invited to apply; proof of PhD completion and current institutional affiliation (if applicable) must be included with your application.
  • Grants are open to all disciplines – any researcher focused on Thailand or Thai Studies is encouraged to apply.
  • The applicant must be intending to undertake field research in Thailand.

Budget

  • Applicants are invited to specify the amount of funding they are requesting, however the value of the grants awarded will be determined by the Selection Committee. It is expected that Honours students planning to spend a shorter time in Thailand will require significantly less funding than postgraduate and/or postdoctoral researchers planning to spend several months or longer in Thailand.
  • All funds must be spent on field research in Thailand (including costs associated with travel to Thailand). A financial acquittal will be requested at the completion of the field research.
  • A table for the estimated budget is included as part of the application form.

Research Plan

  • Applications must include a detailed CV as well as a research plan of 1-2 pages, including summary of key themes and a timeline. Interviews will not be necessary, unless determined by the Selection Committee.

Successful Applicants

  • Applicants who are successful in being awarded the grant will be required to complete a short report (2000 words) on their field research upon their return from Thailand. It is expected that students would also submit a more comprehensive report (e.g. journal article) upon completion of their postgraduate thesis.
  • Successful applicants will be asked to provide certified copies of academic transcripts and all other official documents.

Application Submission

  • The first-round application deadline is 15th August 2011. It is expected that successful applicants will take up their grants and conduct field research within 12 months of receiving the grant.
  • Please send your completed application form, attachments and any queries to [email protected]