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Q1: How do I apply for the Yushan Fellow Program?

A: To apply for the Yushan (Young) Fellowship, please reach out to your designated host institution in Taiwan. Applicants typically need to submit an application through their host institution in Taiwan, following the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Education. Specific application procedures and requirements can be found on the program's official website.

Q2:What is the duration of the Yushan Fellow Program?

A: The duration varies depending on the category of the program. Yushan Fellows typically serve a term of three years, while Young Yushan Fellows have a term of five years.

Q3: Who is eligible for becoming a Yushan (Young) Fellow?

A: A Yushan Fellow meets one of the following criteria:

(1)   The person has worked at a leading international research institution or an internationally renowned company for at least ten years, has an international academic reputation or cutting-edge expertise in a core technology, and has experience leading an academic or industry research team;

(2)   The person is a recipient of a Nobel Prize, a fellow of a national academy, or of a major international association, or has received some equivalent recognition;

(3)   The person has made an outstanding contribution in their academic or industry field in the past five years.

A Yushan Young Fellow has received their highest academic qualification within the last ten years or is 45 years old or younger and meets one of the following criteria:

(1)   The person has worked at a leading international research institution or an internationally renowned company for at least five years and has great potential;

(2)   The person has experience conducting major research projects;

(3)   The person has made an exceptional contribution in their area of academic expertise in the past five years.

Q4: What funding are provided for Yushan Fellows and Yushan Young Fellows?

A: In addition to the statutory salary, each Yushan Fellow receives a maximum of NT$5 million annually from the Ministry, along with up to NT$1.5 million for academic exchanges and work expenses. This grant is approved for a duration of 3 years.

The amount paid to the Yushan Fellow on a short-term exchange program in addition to their statutory salary is calculated prorate, based on the length of time they spend working in Taiwan. But the subsidy for academic exchanges and work expenses is not subject to this and when the subsidy funds are paid and may be used is not limited to times when they are in Taiwan.

For Yushan Young Fellows, they receive up to NT$1.5 million from the MOE, in addition to the statutory salary, and this grant is approved for a period of 5 years. Additionally, each scholar may receive a maximum of NT$1.5 million annually for academic exchanges and work expenses, also approved for 5 years.

Q5: When will my application be reviewed, and when will the results be announced?

A: Applications undergo review twice a year. If submitted before the deadline of April 12th, 2024, the results are typically announced in July. For applications submitted by the deadline of September 6th, 2024, results will be announced in December in the same year. The host institution and the applicants shall complete the appointment procedure within the stipulated time frame of one year after the Ministry of Education announces the result.

Q6: What kind of documents should be submitted to apply for becoming a Yushan (Young) Fellow?

A: To apply for the Yushan (Young) Fellowship, the host university must complete the application form in Mandarin through the Yushan website and submit it. Additionally, printed (10 copies) and electronic (1 copy) versions of the application, both in Mandarin and English, should be submitted to either the Ministry of Education (MOE) or the Higher Education Evaluation & Accreditation Council of Taiwan (HEEACT). Furthermore, the applicant must provide a list detailing all applications, as universities may submit more than one applicant. Specifically for Yushan Young Fellow applicants, two recommendation letters are required to be submitted.

Q7: Can Yushan Fellows/ Young Fellows apply for another new application when the program is finished?

A: Yes, after the initial execution period ends, Fellows have the option to submit a renewal application once. The performance outcome/results of the first term will serve as a determining factor for renewal consideration.

Q8: For short-term exchange Fellows, do they have to stay continuously at the contracted institution for 3 months?

A: No, the fellow is not required to stay continuously for 3 months. Rather, the accumulated service time within a year must fulfill the total service time indicated/required in the application at the host institution.

Q9: Due to specific reasons, the host institution fails to offer a contract to the scholar as planned. If other institutions also provide a contract to the same scholar, will a new application be required?

A: Yes, if the scholar decides to accept a contract from a different host institution, a new application will be necessary. The new host institution must submit a fresh application for the scholar. 

Q10: Will it be acceptable if two host institutions submit Yushan Fellow Program applications for the same scholar simultaneously? Does the scholar need to take any legal responsibility if completing the consent form?

A: The purpose of the consent form is to confirm the agreement of application submission between both parties (the host institution and the scholar). The scholar is suggested to inform both institutions simultaneously. While there is a possibility that both applications might be granted, it's essential to ensure fairness by providing both institutions with the necessary information. The scholar is not legally obligated but is encouraged to handle the situation responsibly to prevent any unfairness to the institutions involved.

Q11: For scholars interested in applying for the Yushan Young Fellow, if they submit their letter of recommendation written by overseas referees when applying for teaching positions, can they use the same letters for the Yushan Young Fellow application? If not, is it acceptable if the letter of recommendation is from their domestic supervisors?

A: Yes, scholars can use the same letters of recommendation for the Yushan Young Fellow application. However, it's important that the letter of recommendation includes the keyword "Yushan Fellow Program" to ensure its relevance to the application. If scholars opt for recommendation letters from domestic supervisors instead, it is also acceptable, provided that the letters emphasize the candidate's qualifications and suitability for the Yushan Young Fellow Program.

Q12: Will the Ministry of Education (MOE) offer the agreement of employment to Yushan (Young) Fellows?

A: No. Yushan (Young) Fellows establish contracts directly with their host institutions. The professor's employment is managed by the host institution, while the Ministry of Education (MOE) primarily serves to provide additional funding or grants to support the university to hire fellows.

Q13: May I apply for the Employment Gold Card?

A: Yes, the host university should assist foreign Yushan (Young) Fellows in applying for the 'Employment Gold Card' through the National Immigration Agency of the Ministry of the Interior. As the issuance of your employment and visa is handled by the hiring university, we suggest that you get in touch with your university for additional assistance.

Q14: Do I need to mention the Yushan Program in the acknowledgments section of my publications?

A: If a Yushan (Young) Fellow publishes their academic research outcomes during their tenure in the Yushan Program, it is important to properly attribute these research outcomes to both the host institution in Taiwan and the Ministry of Education (MOE) Yushan Fellow Program.

Q15: For scholars who have not received the Yushan Fellowship, can host institutions offer a contract to scholars via different research grants?

A: If institutions have not received funding from the Yushan Fellow program to recruit scholars, they can consider alternative options such as the Higher Education SPROUT Project. Additionally, institutions may offer competitive salaries and additional research support to attract international research talents, thereby strengthening the comprehensive impact of their recruitment efforts.