NARP Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions that are not answered below, please contact Sonia Luthra, Assistant Director, at narp@nbr.org.
1. The National Asia Research Program
2. The National Asia Research Associates and Fellows
3. Scalapino Prize
4. Asia Policy Assembly
5. Supporting the NARP
The National Asia Research Program
What is the National Asia Research Program (NARP)?
The NARP is a national research and conference program designed to reinvigorate and promote the policy-relevant study of Asia.
What does the National Asia Research Program do?
The NARP comprises six activities:
1. Selection of leading Asia scholars as National Asia Research Associates and Fellows
The National Asia Research Associates and Fellows receive research stipends to support their work.
2. The Asia Policy Assembly
The Assembly is a major international conference featuring presentations by the National Asia Research Associates and Fellows and other leading experts on policy issues in Asia.
3. The Scalapino Prize
Established in honor of the late Professor Robert Scalapino, the prize is awarded at the Asia Policy Assembly to one National Asia Research Associate or Fellow.
4. A Presidents’ Council
The council is made up of presidents and chancellors of top institutions of higher learning and research organizations in the United States who come together to assess the status of Asia Studies programs.
5. Regional Symposia
The Scalapino Award winner and select National Asia Research Associates and Fellows are among the presenters at these symposia.
6. Opportunities to publish policy relevant research
Who developed the National Asia Research Program's conceptual framework?
The NARP is a joint initiative of The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Leaders in the academic, philanthropic, and policymaking communities helped shape the program concept during a two-year development phase from 2007 to 2009.
Who manages the National Asia Research Program?
NBR serves as the secretariat for the NARP and is responsible for organizing all aspects of the program, in close collaboration with the Wilson Center.
The National Asia Research Associates and Fellows
What are National Asia Research Associates and Fellows?
National Asia Research Associates and Fellows are leading Asia scholars selected to serve two-year terms. During their tenures, they have opportunities to present their research at the Asia Policy Assembly and at other regional conferences and briefings. NBR and Wilson Center also provide them opportunities to publish their research findings. National Asia Research Associates and Fellows remain at their home institutions and receive a research stipend to support their work.
Who is eligible to become a National Asia Research Associate or National Asia Research Fellow?
National Asia Research Associates or Fellows are selected among faculty and research staff at institutions of higher learning and research organizations in the United States who are currently engaged in research on one or more issues of the NARP research agenda.
Does citizenship affect eligibility to become a National Asia Research Associate and Fellow?
No. However, candidates must reside at an institution of higher learning or research organization in the United States during the entire two-year appointment as a National Asia Research Associate or Fellow.
Why are the National Asia Research Associate and National Asia Research Fellowship appointments restricted to experts at U.S. institutions of higher learning and research organizations? How can experts who fall outside of that realm participate in the NARP?
As the two primary objectives of the NARP are to strengthen Asia Studies programs at institutions in the United States and to encourage Asia specialists in the United States to engage in research and scholarship of direct relevance to policymakers, nominations to become NARP Research Associates and Fellows are therefore limited to specialists at these institutions.
The NARP Asia Policy Assembly in June 2010 featured presentations from selected Associates and Fellows, as well as from other specialists from a range of professional and national backgrounds selected through an international call for papers open to all experts. The Assembly therefore aims at fostering a rich exchange of ideas on policy issues from a variety of perspectives.
Scalapino Prize
What is the Scalapino Prize?
A significant prize named after late renowned Asia scholar Robert A. Scalapino is awarded to one of the National Asia Research Associates and Fellows at the Asia Policy Assembly to further highlight and honor the work of scholars whose commitment and expertise have made exceptional contributions to America’s understanding of the vast changes underway in Asia.
Asia Policy Assembly
What is the Asia Policy Assembly?
The Asia Policy Assembly is a major international conference on contemporary, policy-relevant Asian Studies. The Assembly features presentations from the National Asia Research Associates and Fellows, Asia experts from the United States and abroad, and members of the policymaking community.
Where and when was the Asia Policy Assembly held?
The Asia Policy Assembly was in Washington, D.C., on June 17–18, 2010.
Supporting the NARP
Who provides funding for the National Asia Research Program?
Core funding for the program has been provided through a Congressional appropriation to the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Additional support has come from a consortium of foundations, including The Asia Foundation, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, and the Henry Luce Foundation.
How can I support the NARP?
Please contact:
Sonia Luthra
Assistant Director
The National Bureau of Asian Research
1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 305
Washington, D.C. 20004
Phone: 202-347-9767
Fax: 202-347-9766
narp@nbr.org