Nālandā Mahāvihāra brick wall in Bihar, India. © Christian Luczanits
The HCBSS Grants for Stanford Graduate Students in Buddhist Studies
The Ho Center for Buddhist Studies at Stanford provides funding to Stanford graduate students in the Buddhist Studies track to support their research, training, and fieldwork.
We provide support in the following areas:
Please send your applications and direct your questions to Executive Director ihl [at] stanford.edu (Irene Lin).
Conference Participation
Graduate students in the Buddhist Studies track who wish to attend an academic conference and present a paper can apply for funding. Awards will be limited to support for one conference per academic year — a maximum of $1,000 for domestic travel or $1,500 for international travel. Applications must be submitted at least six weeks prior to the conference. Awardees must comply with Stanford University student travel and reimbursement guidelines and must work with the Center staff to book travel and accommodations. Applicants are encouraged to apply for additional funds from other Stanford units or external agencies.
Applications must include:
- A short description of why conference attendance will advance your course of study
- An itemized budget
- Approval from faculty advisor (completed and signed Student Certificate for Authorized Expense)
Upon completion:
- Submit required paperwork for reimbursement
- Provide a one-page reflection on conference attendance
Language Study Grants
Summer
Graduate students in the Buddhist Studies track who require advanced training in Buddhist canonical languages and are unable to study these languages during the school year or at Stanford may apply for financial aid to support summer language study at another university. This may only be done during the first five years of graduate studies. Grants will be limited to a maximum of $2,000. Priority will be given to students who have not received a language study grant from the Center before.
Applications for summer language study are due by April 30.
Academic Year: Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters
For graduate students in the Buddhist Studies track who require advanced language study in Buddhist canonical languages during the academic year, please request a class through the Special Language Program. For language courses, graduate students in the Buddhist Studies track are eligible to apply during the first five years of their studies in the PhD Program.
The HCBSS will work with the Special Language Program to offer language courses during the academic year. Please send a copy of your language request form to ihl [at] stanford.edu (Irene Lin).
Please note that requests for the following academic year must be submitted by Spring Quarter of the current academic year.
Applications must include:
- A description of why the language study supports the student’s research or training
- An itemized budget or description of the cost
- Material from the institution providing class details or a short summary of the material to be covered by the relevant instructor
- Approval from faculty advisor
Upon completion:
- Documentation of participation
- Submit required paperwork for reimbursement within two weeks of completion
- Submit one-page summary of language study experience within a month of completion
Research Grants
Graduate students in the Buddhist Studies track who need to travel for the purposes of research or fieldwork for their dissertation may apply for one research grant during their studies. Award will be up to $5,000 per proposal and made on a competitive basis.
Applications must be submitted at least three months prior to the proposed travel. Applicants are encouraged to apply for additional funds from other Stanford units or external agencies.
Applications must include:
- A description of the research or project
- An itemized budget
- Approval from faculty advisor
Upon completion:
- Submit required paperwork for reimbursement
- Provide a one-page summary of research or fieldwork
- Provide digital images of research or fieldwork (if available)