Fieldwork grants

The French School of Asian Studies (EFEO) awards fieldwork grants twice a year to support students undertaking research in the humanities and social sciences on the civilisations of South, Southeast and East Asia.

These grants enable recipients to carry out a study stay at one of the EFEO Centres in Asia, as part of an academic research project.

The scheme is open to students enrolled in a Master’s (second year) or doctoral programme, regardless of nationality. Applications may be submitted in French or English. The application file must include a well-structured research proposal that is consistent with the EFEO’s scientific priorities.

The grant takes the form of a monthly financial allowance, the amount of which varies according to the recipient’s level of study and the host country. By way of indication, the monthly allowance ranges from €700 to €1,360. The duration of the stay is limited to a maximum of two months for Master’s students and may range from one to six months for doctoral candidates. The total duration of funding awarded by the EFEO to any one student may not exceed nine months in total.

The grant is paid in two instalments: 80% of the total amount is paid after arrival in the field, upon submission of the boarding pass, while the remaining 20% is paid at the end of the stay, following the submission of a research report. Grant holders remain responsible for organising and covering the cost of their return travel, as well as for taking out appropriate international insurance and health cover for the duration of the stay.

The award and continuation of funding are subject to compliance with the recommendations of the relevant French authorities, in particular those of the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Grants may only be awarded if conditions allow the research to be carried out in accordance with the safety instructions and official recommendations in force at the time of the stay.

Calls for Applications 2026

Application Documents

Applicants must provide the following documents:

1. Completed application form (downloadable).
2. Motivation letter addressed to the Director of the EFEO, specifying the desired period of stay, the relevant EFEO Centre, any funding already obtained, and other grants applied for.
3. Letter of recommendation from the thesis or research supervisor.
4. Research project (maximum 5 pages), including a summary, work programme, timeline, bibliography, and a budget (please note that the budget is for indicative purposes only; the monthly allowance awarded is not based on this figure).
5. Curriculum vitae, including languages relevant to the fieldwork.
6. Proof of qualifications (scanned copies of diplomas).

All documents must be combined into a single PDF file, in the order listed above, and sent to: appui.recherche@efeo.net.

A copy of an identity document and student card must also be provided, sent separately from the PDF file.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Submission Deadline

The deadline for applications is 15 March 2026, 23:59 (Paris time), for a stay scheduled between 1 July and 31 December 2026.

The “David Ruegg” Fieldwork Grants for the Second Semester 2026 are awarded under the same conditions and procedures as the EFEO fieldwork grants described above. They follow the same rules regarding eligibility, application preparation and submission, timeline, and payment of the grant.

This scheme, however, is specifically intended for students enrolled in a Master’s (second year) or doctoral programme in Buddhist Studies.