The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation New Professorships in Buddhist Studies

The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation New Professorships in Buddhist Studies offer multi-year grants to colleges and universities wishing to establish or expand teaching in Buddhist Studies.

Grant Details

Institutions of higher education worldwide are eligible to apply for grants up to $300,000, to be expended over four years, in support of teaching positions in Buddhist Studies.
The proposed position should be a new position. If the proposed position is a replacement for a retirement or otherwise vacated position where Buddhist Studies at the institution would be significantly affected without award funds, the proposal should make that case and note why the previous position could not be filled.
The establishment of the position must contribute significantly to the institution. This means establishing a curriculum in Buddhist Studies where none has existed or where such a curriculum was in clear and urgent need of additional support.
Award funds should be used only for the new professor’s salary, benefits, and research expenses. The funds may not be used for university overhead or any indirect/administrative costs or office expenses.
In addition, institutions are eligible to request funds for costs related to a competitive search for the proposed position. The total request must not exceed $300,000.
Institutions must commit to maintaining the seeded position as a permanent, tenure-track post after the expiration of The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Global’s funding. At institutions without a tenure-track system, the applicant institution must commit to continuing the position for a substantial period after the expiration of this grant’s funding.
The heart of the application is a statement outlining the proposed position—its responsibilities, departmental location, rank, and fit with the institution’s mission and curricular plans, and the qualifications sought in potential appointees. The statement should describe the process of identifying the appointee.

Eligibility

Accredited institutions of higher education worldwide are eligible to apply.
The application must be written in English.
This is a global competition. There are no requirements regarding the location of the institution or the language(s) of instruction.
Institutions must include a multi-year plan for matching at least one-third of Foundation funding over the grant period, and the matching ratio need not be the same each year. Please see a sample schedule for sequenced funding that meets the matching requirement here.

Application Guidelines

Completed applications must be submitted through the ACLS Online Fellowship and Grant Administration (OFA) System no later than 9:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on January 23, 2025.

Applications must include:

A completed application form.
At institutions with a tenure-track system, a letter from the institution’s president, vice-chancellor, rector, provost, or dean expressing the institution’s commitment to maintain the seeded position as a permanent, tenure-track post after the expiration of funding from The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Global and consistent with the university’s policies on tenure-track positions. The letter should state why the institution wishes to develop Buddhist Studies. Letters should be no more than three single-spaced pages in Arial or Helvetica 11-point font.

OR

At institutions without a tenure-track system, a letter from the institution’s president, vice-chancellor, rector, provost, or dean expressing the institution’s commitment to continuing the position for a substantial period after the expiration of funding from The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Global. The letter must provide a description of how this commitment fits its contractual practices. Letters should be no more than three single-spaced pages in Arial or Helvetica 11-point font.
A statement outlining the new proposed position—its responsibilities, departmental location, rank, fit with the institution’s mission and curricular plans, and the qualifications sought in potential appointees. Please describe the process of identifying the appointee. Statements should be no more than 15 double-spaced pages in Arial or Helvetica 11-point font.
A budget detailing all expenses, using the following categories: salary, benefits, research expenses, and, if applicable, costs related to a competitive search for the proposed position.

Evaluation Criteria

The strength of the institution’s commitment to establishing a tenure-track position in Buddhist Studies, or at institutions without a tenure-track system, the institution’s commitment to continuing the position for a substantial period of time after the expiration of grant funding.
The significance of the new professorship for adding or enhancing Buddhist Studies in the institution’s curricular offerings.
Coherence and cogency of presentation.
Feasibility of the proposed budget and plan for establishing the new position.
The institution’s record in teaching and research.

Contact

Questions should be directed to BuddhistStudies@acls.org. Please read the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) before making inquiries.