We invite Brown faculty and graduate students doing research on China to apply for grants of up to $7,000. The research must be directly linked to producing advanced China-related scholarship (e.g. publishable papers/books/dissertations). The China Initiative will only support travel for attending academic conferences wherein the Brown faculty researcher is presenting a China-related paper. In order to apply, please submit a brief cover letter, 2-3 pg. project proposal, a budget, and a CV. Decisions will be announced in April, 2026.

The Watson School China Initiative will support Brown PhD students in a variety of disciplines studying issues closely related to China. These grants will be distributed once per year to eligible students for up to $18,000. Priority will be given to students working on contemporary China. Please send a 2-3 page dissertation prospectus along with a recommendation of your academic advisor. Decisions will be announced in May 2026.

The Initiative will fund Brown undergraduate students conducting research on issues related to China up to $4,000. The research must be directly connected to skill building (e.g. language) or preferably a research product (e.g. paper/briefing). In order to apply, please submit a 1-2pg. project proposal, a budget, a CV, as well as a recommendation from a faculty advisor. Decisions will be announced in April, 2026.