Introduction

Overview

This trial program has been drafted by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) in order to strengthen Taiwan's research capabilities and support all-round research by providing funding to attract high-achieving postdoctoral scholars from premier universities in the United States (U.S.) to come to Taiwan to participate in scientific and technological research projects in four leading universities. The goal of this program is to accelerate R&D in key technologies or in areas in which the country enjoys an advantages, as well as the diffusion of R&D results, to deepen manpower cultivation and linkage between Taiwan and the U.S., and to jointly foster new innovative technology R&D energies in Taiwan. Scholars will be given the title of “NSTC Postdoctoral Scholar”.

Duration and Funding

●The scholar will receive $US 60,000 per year, including tax.

●Funding begins on August 1, 2020 as a rule, and each funding period shall be a term of 1 or 2 years.

●Applications for continued funding may be made upon the expiration of each funding period, and a maximum of 2 applications for continued funding may be made, with a maximum overall funding period of 4 years.

Eligibility

●Candidates must hold a Ph.D. degree from a premier university in the U.S. For candidates who have not received their Ph.D. diplomat yet, please provide a provisional degree certificate to show the candidate has passed his or her dissertation defense.

Obligations

Scholars are required to participate in sponsored events and activities during the funding period. These events include but are not limited to:

●Academic exchanges event: Scholars need to be the speaker of one of the workshops or science and technology conferences held by Taiwanese universities or the NSTC.

●Annual research presentation

●Cultural tour:

◎A 10-day LIFT O2O Conference, including visiting various research facilities and companies, social activities and sightseeing trips.

◎There are two options for the conference: 1) October 19th, 2020 to October 28th, 2020, and 2) December 14th, 2020 to December 23rd, 2020.

◎Scholars can contact the Program Office for more information about the conference.

●Scholars should submit a report within two months by the end of the funding period.

Application

●Candidates need to register an account to create their own portfolio on the website and submit the application by April 30, 2020.

●Required documents:
(1) Research plan
(2) CV
(3) ID documents
(4) Ph.D. degree certificate
(5) One letter of recommendation from the Ph.D. supervisor

●Supporting documents:
(1) One letter of consent from a potential hosting supervisor
(2) Other documents requested by the Taiwanese university the candidate is applying to.

●Scholars who receive the notice must obtain consent from a potential hosting supervisor at the Taiwanese universities and completing the hiring process with one of the four leading Taiwanese universities by November 30, 2020.