Buddhist Studies Scholarship
Scholarships for individuals who wish to study the dharma in a formal setting, such as a university or institute.
Individual Practice Grant
Grants to support people who wish to deepen their practice of the dharma. This program supports individuals who plan to do retreat, to attend teachings, or to practice in other ways.
PhD Scholarship
Scholarships to support people who are in a PhD program in Buddhist Studies, doing research for their PhD degree, or writing a doctoral dissertation.
Ashoka Grant
Grants to support organizations and individuals working to increase dharma activity in creative and long-lasting ways.
Trisong Grant
Grants to support people and projects promoting general well-being, mental health, and natural resilience, based on Buddhist views and practices.
Awards
Awards for excellence in Buddhist Studies, translation, service to the dharma, and more.
Work as Practice Scholarship
Scholarships to support people who wish to acquire the practical skills they need to benefit a dharma center, monastery, or sangha.
Apply for Support
Supporting Buddhist study and practice is at the heart of Khyentse Foundation’s mission, and our Ashoka grant and scholarship programs are the way we connect with you and learn about your work. There are a number of ways to apply, and we support a wide range of dharma studies, practice, and activities. We accept applications from Buddhist teachers, students, scholars, translators, practitioners, and retreatants. In the nonsectarian spirit of the Khyentse lineage, our applicants represent all Buddhist traditions and are from all parts of the world. Each application is reviewed by international review committees, appointed by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche.
Khyentse Foundation aims to create the conditions for children to encounter the dharma and for Buddha’s wisdom to arise. Educators are encouraged to apply for any of the grants and scholarships that the foundation offers. We are seeking opportunities to support educators who are working to bring Buddhist wisdom to themselves and to their classrooms. Grants might be for publishing children’s books, for camps or after-school programs, or for educators’ study or retreat programs. To see what program might be best for you, read about our Ashoka Grant (link) program or our Individual Practice Grant (link). A special committee reviews the Ashoka Grant applications for education projects.
Have questions about which program is right for you?
Check out our FAQ’s or contact [email protected] (for scholarships programs) or [email protected] (for Ashoka or Trisong Grants).
FAQ
Q: Can I apply for both a scholarship and a grant in the same round of applications?
A: No, you may apply for only one scholarship or grant program at a time.
Q: How often can I apply for a scholarship?
A: If you have not received a scholarship from Khyentse Foundation, you may apply as often as you like (we accept applications twice a year). If you have received a scholarship, you may apply again after one year, but you must complete the progress report section of the application.
Q: Is there a limit to the amount off support I can apply for?
A: Scholarships awards are usually in the range of US$500 to $5,000, but applicants can request any amount. Ashoka Grants have no amount limit, but large awards depend on the strength of the application.
Q: How do I know if I’m eligible for a KF scholarship or grant?
A: The KF scholarship program supports the study and practice of Buddhadharma. Candidates for a Khyentse Foundation Scholarship might be:
- An individual enrolled in a degree program in Buddhist Studies
- A person studying Tibetan for the purpose of becoming a translator
- An individual attending a group retreat
Projects that don’t include study or practice might be better suited for an Ashoka Grant:
- Publishing or translating a text (as individuals or groups)
- A Buddhist education program for childrenKhyentse Foundation does not support building or construction projects. At this time, we are also not accepting applications for film projects.
Q: Can I apply if I want to do pilgrimage?
A: KF supports travel for pilgrimage and retreats through Individual Practice Grants.
Q: Do I need to match KF funds with my own funds?
A: Generally, we appreciate a personal contribution toward your studies, retreat, or project. Having other funding strengthens your application.
Q: Can I apply for KF funding for study at Rangjung Yeshe Institute (RYI)?
A: KF accepts PhD or Translation Studies Scholarships applications for study at RYI.
Buddhist Studies Scholarship (BSS) applicants who wish to study at RYI must apply directly to RYI, through a scholarship partnership that is managed by RYI. KF accepts BSS applications only for summer programs at RYI; all other BSS applications for study at RYI must be sent directly to RYI.
Q: What are the deadlines for the scholarships and grants?
A: We accept applications for Buddhist Studies Scholarships, Individual Practice Grants, and Work as Practice Grants twice a year, from December 15 to January 15 and from June 15 to July 15. We also accept applications for Ashoka Grants twice a year, from January 15 to February 15 and from July 15 to August 15. You may apply for a Translation Studies Scholarships annually, from February 1 to March 1, and you may apply for a PhD Program Scholarship annually, from June 15 to July 15.
Q: Can I apply for a Translation Studies Scholarship (TSS) as a novice translator?
A: You are expected to have some translation experience or to be working in your field as a translator before being considered for a TSS. The TSS program supports candidates in advanced degrees programs (MA, MPhil, or PhD) in the study of translation or in Buddhist philosophy. In general, we support the study of the traditional canonical languages of Tibetan, Sanskrit, and Pali, for translation into modern languages. If you don’t meet these criteria, you may apply for a Buddhist Studies Scholarship.
Q: How can I know if my project is eligible for an Ashoka Grant?
A: Ashoka Grants are given to a wide range of Buddhist projects and programs. The foundation does not accept the following types of applications:
- Funding for building and construction projects
- Applications that are incomplete or that do not adequately explain the scope of the project
- Applications that have no relevance to Buddhism or Buddhist activity
- Applications for film projects
Q: How long will it take to hear back after I apply?
A: The review process for Ashoka grants and scholarships is 3 to 4 months, starting at the application deadline. Projects and study programs should fit this timeline and start after the notification date.
Q: How long is the period of funding?
A: All Ashoka grants and scholarships are for a period of one year. Beneficiaries can apply for further support at the end of the grant or scholarship period.
Q: How many Ashoka Grant applications can I submit in one round?
A: Only one application will be accepted on behalf of an individual or organization per cycle.
Deer Park Institute
In 2006, Rinpoche established Deer Park Institute (DPI) in Bir, India, at the foothills of the Himalayas. Rinpoche’s vision to revive ancient Nalanda University’s spirit of open and deep inquiry into Buddhadharma. Students from around the world come to DPI to listen, contemplate, meditate, and experience the teachings. Khyentse Foundation has been funding the operation of Deer Park since its inception and is very glad to witness its rapid growth and its gradual path towards financial independence through donation (dana) from participants and grants from various sources, including the Indian government.
University of California at Berkeley
In 2006, the University of California, Berkeley announced the establishment of the KF Distinguished Professorship in Tibetan Buddhism, thanks to a $1 million endowment from Khyentse Foundation. Learn more about the KF-UC Berkeley collaboration over the years: https://khyentsefoundation.org/focus/focus_july15.html.
Eötvös Loránd University
University of Sydney: KF-UBEF Lectureship
In 2017 Khyentse Foundation celebrated a groundbreaking partnership with the University of Sydney in Australia, establishing a new academic position in Tibetan Buddhist Studies. The lectureship is jointly funded by KF and UBEF (University Buddhist Education Foundation) with support from the Aberbaldie Foundation. Thanks to the KF-UBEF Lectureship and the courses to be offered through it, the University of Sydney now offers the most comprehensive Buddhist Studies program in the Australasian region and in the Southern Hemisphere.
Rangjung Yeshe Institute: Matching Funds Program
University of Pennsylvania: KF Award for Excellence in Buddhist Studies
Paul McBain is a second-year PhD student in the Department of Religious Studies, focusing on comparative Buddhist poetry in Japan and Thailand. He speaks Japanese and Thai and studies Sanskrit and Pali. He is also a student of religion and literary theory. His BA is from Oxford University and his MA is from the University of Chicago. His latest project is on the life and work of Thailand’s most famous poet, Sunthorn Phu.
Tokyo University of Arts: Chinese Artist Studies Restoration Arts in Japan
Pal Ewam Namgon Nunnery School
Mongolian Buddhist Women’s Conference
Focus Reentry
Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy
Sarah College
National Cheng Chi University
Khmer-Buddhist Education Assistance Program
Karma Tekchen Yi Ong Ling Retreat Centre
Bodhi Kids
Inside-Out Prison Project
Light of Buddhadharma Foundation International
Preah Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University
Ven. Bhante Buddharakkhita
Dr. Chao Tung-Ming, KF Award for Outstanding PhD Dissertation
Visiting Professor Program
The Mani Foundation
University of Vienna
International Association for Tibetan Studies
Meditation Camp for Bhutanese Teachers
Rice University
Bhutan Nuns Foundation
KF Prize for Outstanding Translation
KF Scholarship Recipient: Luke Younge
In 2009 with the support of a KF scholarship, Luke Younge completed two summer courses of study at Nitartha Institute in the United States. Luke is bringing a systematic two-year Buddhist studies program to Cape Town and Johannesburg. Read more about his journey here.
Chantaloube Retreat Centre
Siddhartha's School
University of British Columbia
Chilean Dharma student scholarship to RYI
TBRC, Cambridge, MA
University of Hamburg: Khyentse Center for Tibetan Buddhist Textual Scholarship
University of Peking
Warnum Nuns Retreat
Santi Sena
University of Kelanya, Sri Lanka
Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
University of of Edinburgh, Scotland
Fu Dan University, China
Palestinian Dharma student grant
Tovana's Israeli Youth Dharma Project: Meditation for Young Adults in Rehovot
The project began with a pilot mini-retreat, focused on meditation and introduction to Buddhism. The mini-retreat was partially silent and included introduction to Vipassana meditation, sitting and walking meditation sessions, an introduction to the Buddha-Dharma and inter-personal exercises. The second phase was a ten – week’s course, attended by fourteen participants that took place in a community center in Rehovot.