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Masters Research Grants

Background

In 2019, the Foundation launched its TIRF Masters Research Grants (MRG) program. Via this new initiative, TIRF will consider masters-level research proposals about English language teaching and learning from individuals enrolled in masters-level programs at universities in Chinese-speaking contexts, including individuals living in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Funding is intended to support worthy applicants who have had their MA thesis proposals accepted by a supervisor or supervisory committee. Award levels for each grant will range between RMB 5,000 and RMB 15,000.

There are two levels of Masters Research Grants (MRGs) that will be offered in 2020:

  • Level One: The first level targets students who have been admitted to MA programs and have had their MA thesis research proposals approved by their supervisor or supervisory committee.
  • Level Two: The second level targets MA students who received a Level-One MRG, have finished their studies, and wish to disseminate their results at well-known conferences internationally and in Chinese-speaking contexts.

Please note that TIRF will review the first 100 viable proposals it receives before the application deadline. A “viable proposal” includes the application and the supervisor’s letter of support.

2020 MRG Competition

2020 MRG Competition Now Open

The 2020 MRG competition is now open. The application deadline is Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 17:00 China Standard Time. Award decisions will be made in late August 2020 and announced on our website via our newsletter. The links below should be utilized to learn more about the MRG competition.

  • Download the 2020 MRG call for proposals
  • Download the Level-One MRG application form
  • Download the Level-Two MRG application form
  • Submit your proposal/letter of support via our Application Submission Area

We would like to recognize the wonderful support of our partner, Words Up Your Way, for the funding of the MRG competition.

 

Eligibility

Overview of Eligibility

The following points are only an overview of eligibility to apply for a MRG. Successful applicants will read the call for proposals and carefully follow the instructions. Applicants must:

  • Be enrolled in a legitimate masters program;
  • Have had a research plan approved by a a supervisor or supervisory committee;
  • Write a proposal which is clearly related to one or more of TIRF’s research topics (see below);
  • Follow specific instructions located in the call for proposals; and
  • Have their research supervisor submit an official letter of support attesting to the applicant’s readiness to complete the masters research.
Research Topics

Research Topics for MRG Applicants

The list of four research topics MRG applicants’ studies may relate to are listed below. Please click on a topic to read more about it.

Constraints

Possible Constraints on Awards

Please note that the ability for TIRF to make payments for a grant, prize, or other purpose may be restricted. Although TIRF is an independent foundation, it remains subject to the laws governing the United States of America (where TIRF is registered), including governmental sanctions that are in force and may limit doing business with individuals or organizations in/from certain countries.

Past Recipients
FeifengLiu_New-194x300
FeiFeng Liu

Doctoral Institution

Fudan University

Dissertation Title

Effects of Task Complexity on Chinese EFL Learners’ L2 Oral Performance: A Complex Dynamic Systems Theory Perspective

TIRF Research Topic Investigated

Language Assessment
LumengFang-143x200
Lumeng Fang

Doctoral Institution

Beijing Foreign Studies University

Dissertation Title

Validating the Writing Part B of GSEEE: Investigating the Prompt Topic Effect

TIRF Research Topic Investigated

Language Assessment
MasakiEguchi
Masaki Eguchi

Doctoral Institution

University of Oregon

Dissertation Title

Automatic Assessment of Stance-Taking in English Academic Writing: A Systemic Functional Perspective

TIRF Research Topic Investigated

(1) Language Assessment; (2) English as a Medium of Instruction; (3) Content-Based Instruction
WandongXu-133x200
Wandong Xu

Doctoral Institution

Chongqing University

Dissertation Title

A Comparative Study on Candidates’ Cognitive Processes Completing IELTS, TOEFL iBT, and CET-6 Reading Tests: Evidence from Eyetracking

TIRF Research Topic Investigated

Language Assessment
YitingDuan-143x200
Yiting Duan

Doctoral Institution

Chongqing University

Dissertation Title

Assessing the Validity of CSE Self-Assessment Scale for Listening Proficiency

TIRF Research Topic Investigated

Language Assessment
YiweiQin_New-267x300
Yiwei Qin

Doctoral Institution

University of Macau

Dissertation Title

Washback Effect of Classroom-Based Assessment from Learners’ Perspectives

TIRF Research Topic Investigated

Language Assessment

Honorable Mentionees

Awardee-Chunxue_Hu
Chunxue Hu

Doctoral Institution

Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Dissertation Title

The Effects of Concept-Maps-Based Planning on Linguistic Performance in College English Writing

TIRF Research Topic Investigated

Content-Based Instruction
Grants & Prizes

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