Introduction
The Blakemore Foundation. They are a nonprofit based in the U.S. that’s all about helping people get incredibly good at Asian languages. They have been at it since 1990 and have thrown over $22 million into these fellowships. Their whole mission is pretty straightforward: get you overseas for some intense language training, build up the next wave of leaders who can actually work in and with Asia, and just generally make the world a bit more connected.
The Blakemore Freeman Fellowships
This is the main one. It’s for graduating seniors, grad students, or people already out there working. The languages? A pretty wide spread: Chinese (in Taiwan or Beijing), Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Khmer, Thai, and Vietnamese.
The big catch here is you need to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, have at least three years of the language under your belt already, and have a solid plan for how you’ll use it in your career. Think research, business, diplomacy-that kind of thing. This isn’t for dabblers.
The Blakemore Kingfisher Art History Language Fellowship
This one’s a lot more specific. It’s all about digging into Chinese or Korean art history from before the 20th century. The eligibility is a bit different, too. You can be a U.S. or Canadian citizen, or even an international student, as long as you’re enrolled at a university in the U.S. or Canada.
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of the language. This is really for people who are on the path to a Ph.D. or a museum career and need the language skills to get at those rare, untranslated texts.
Benefits
Let’s be real, the biggest benefit is the money. This isn’t just a little scholarship; it’s a full ride. You don’t have to worry about tuition, and they give you a monthly stipend to cover your rent and food. They even help with your flight over and pay for your books. It’s huge.
You get to study at the best language schools in Asia without going broke. It’s an incredible boost for your resume, whether you’re in academia or aiming for a global career.
But what’s the catch? It’s insanely competitive. Like, think around a 10% acceptance rate. You’re also stuck with their list of approved schools, and you have to be a U.S. or Canadian citizen for most of it. Plus, this is your full-time job. No side hustles.
Eligibility
Basically, they’re looking for people with a strong academic background, a clear vision for their future, and the maturity to handle living abroad.
For the Freeman Fellowship, you’ve got to be a U.S. citizen/permanent resident with at least 3 years of the language studied. And you have to be ready to commit to this full-time.
For the Kingfisher Fellowship, it’s U.S./Canadian citizens or international students in those countries’ universities. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree and at least 2 years of Chinese or Korean under your belt, with a clear focus on art history.
Where You’ll Be Studying
You can’t just go anywhere. The foundation has a list of approved, top-tier programs. For example:
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Chinese: You could be at the ICLP at National Taiwan University in Taipei or the IUP at Tsinghua University in Beijing.
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Japanese: The Inter-University Center in Yokohama is the spot.
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Korean: You’ve got options at the IUC at a few top universities in Seoul.
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Other Languages: For stuff like Thai or Vietnamese, they approve programs on a case-by-case basis.
These aren’t casual classes. They’re intense, full-time immersion programs designed to make you a pro.
How to Apply
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Find the portal: Head over to blakemorefoundation
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Sign up: Make a profile and pick the fellowship you’re aiming for.
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Get your stuff together. This is the big one:
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Academic transcripts
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Two or more letters of recommendation
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Proof you’ve studied the language before
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And the most important part: your statement of purpose. This is where you sell them on your dream.
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Apply to the language program, too. This is key—you have to apply to one of their approved schools separately, at the same time.
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Hit submit before the deadline: December 30, 2025.
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Then you wait. You’ll hear back sometime in the spring of 2026.
Important Dates
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Application Opens: September 2025
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Deadline: December 30, 2025
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Decisions: Spring 2026
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Program Starts: Fall 2026
A quick note for international students:
I know most of this sounds U.S.-focused, but don’t tune out! The Kingfisher Art History fellowship is open to you if you’re studying at a university in the U.S. or Canada. It’s a pretty amazing, fully-funded way to get your language skills up to a level where you can do serious research in Asia.
Want to stand out from the pile?
The competition is no joke, so you have to be smart about it.
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Show them this isn’t just a whim. Connect the language directly to your future career—make it seem absolutely essential.
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Prove you’re committed to Asia long-term. Did you do an internship? Research? Anything? Put it in there.
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Get great letters of rec from people who can talk about your language skills.
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And please, start early. Getting transcripts and everything lined up takes time.
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Your statement of purpose is your moment to shine. Don’t just list your accomplishments; tell a story that connects your past to the future this fellowship will unlock.
For instance, say you’re a project manager in tech who wants to expand into the Thai market. You’d talk about how fluency is the only way to build real partnerships, not just a “nice to have.” You get a letter from your boss backing you up. That’s the kind of applicant who wins.
Conclusion
The Blakemore Foundation 2026 Language Fellowships represent one of the most prestigious and comprehensive funding opportunities for Asian language study. By removing financial barriers, they empower passionate individuals to achieve professional fluency and build global careers.
If your ambitions involve Asia-focused research, diplomacy, or cross-border business, this is your chance to stand out.
Quick FAQs
Who can apply?
U.S. citizens for the main one (Freeman). The Art History one (Kingfisher) is open to U.S./Canadians and international students studying there.
What’s covered?
Everything. Tuition, travel, living money, books.
What languages?
Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and a bunch of Southeast Asian ones.
Is it hard to get?
Yep. Really hard. Less than a 10% shot.
Can I pick my school?
Nope, only from their approved list.
Can I work while I’m there?
No way. This is a full-time commitment.
When’s the deadline again?
December 30, 2025.
