The National Science Foundation has issued a solicitation for its East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes (EAPSI), providing U.S. science and engineering graduate students with unique opportunities to explore research in Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, or Taiwan. The EASPI allow U.S. graduate students to be introduced to East Asian and Pacific science and engineering in the context of a research setting, while simultaneously initiating scientific relationships that will better enable future collaboration with foreign counterparts. All institutes, except Japan, last approximately 8 weeks from June to August (Japan lasts approximately 10 weeks).

According to NSF, the EAPSI provide U.S. graduate students in science and engineering:

1. first-hand research experience in Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, or Taiwan;
2. an introduction to the science and science policy infrastructure of the respective location; and
3. orientation to the society, culture and language.

Awardees will receive a $5,000 stipend, plus international round-trip airfare to the host location and an allowance for living expenses. In addition, support for attending a two- to three-day pre-departure orientation in the Washington, DC, area will be provided.

Importantly, “EASPI awards are available in any area of science and engineering research or education supported by NSF,” including computer and information science and engineering.

Applications — to be submitted directly to NSF via FastLane without going through a university — are due by November 9, 2011. Candidates must include a project description not to exceed five pages, with descriptions of intellectual merit and broader impact of the proposed research; a two-page biographical sketch; two letters of reference; an invitation or acceptance letter from the top choice host researcher; and various supporting documents, such as undergraduate and graduate transcripts.

For complete details, visit the NSF EAPSI website.

Please help spread the word by linking your graduate students and colleagues to this blog post!

(Contributed by Erwin Gianchandani, CCC Director)