Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The GETSEA PhD Mentoring Clusters program by the Consortium for Graduate Education and Training in Southeast Asian Studies (GETSEA) supports faculty-led mentorship groups of 4–5 early-stage PhD students over two years. It focuses on Southeast Asian studies, cohort-building, interdisciplinary research, and academic collaboration through virtual and in-person engagement. Faculty mentors receive $3,000–$5,000, while students receive $1,000 for travel to at least one in-person meeting.
GETSEA PhD Mentoring Clusters Program Overview
The program is run by the Consortium for Graduate Education and Training in Southeast Asian Studies (GETSEA) and is designed to strengthen graduate education in Southeast Asian Studies through structured mentorship and cohort development.
- Core goals:
- Strengthen PhD training in Southeast Asian studies
- Improve cohort-building opportunities for graduate students
- Support interdisciplinary academic collaboration
- Address declining PhD admissions and reduced funding opportunities in the U.S.
- Enhance peer support for early-stage PhD researchers
- Program structure:
- Faculty-led mentoring clusters
- Each cluster includes:
- 1 faculty mentor
- 4–5 early-stage PhD students
- Duration:
- 2-year mentorship cycle
Funding Details
The program provides financial support for both faculty mentors and participating PhD students.
- Faculty funding:
- $3,000–$5,000 per selected faculty mentor
- Supports coordination and leadership of mentoring cluster activities
- Student funding:
- $1,000 per PhD student participant
- Intended for travel related to at least one in-person cohort meeting
Focus Areas and Academic Scope
The program supports structured academic engagement in Southeast Asian Studies.
- Academic focus:
- Key activities:
- Research proposal development
- Peer review and academic feedback
- Pre-exam and pre-fieldwork preparation
- Collaborative academic exchange
Program Activities (Virtual and In-Person)
Mentoring clusters are expected to maintain regular academic engagement over two years.
- Virtual activities:
- Online seminars and discussions
- Shared book readings
- Film screenings and cultural analysis sessions
- Faculty-led virtual classes
- Peer feedback on research proposals
- In-person requirement:
- At least one physical gathering during the program
- Location may be:
- United States, or
- Southeast Asia (based on cohort preference)
- Purpose:
- Strengthen academic relationships
- Support deeper collaboration and networking
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
Eligibility is divided between faculty applicants and student participants.
Faculty eligibility:
- Must be Southeast Asian studies faculty
- Must be based at a U.S. institution
- Must propose and lead a mentoring cluster
- Must define:
- Geographic focus (specific country/region in Southeast Asia), OR
- A thematic research focus
Graduate student eligibility:
- Must be enrolled in a PhD program
- Must be in early-stage research phase:
- Pre-exam OR pre-fieldwork stage
- Must apply to a specific mentoring cluster
- Priority:
- Students enrolled at U.S. institutions (preferred but not exclusive)
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a structured proposal.
- Required components:
- Cluster vision statement
- Defined geographic or thematic focus
- Planned academic activities
- Engagement methods over two years
- Cohort-building strategy
- Outline of virtual and in-person interactions
- Suggested design elements:
- Reading groups
- Film discussions
- Research proposal workshops
- Faculty-led sessions
- Peer feedback systems
Ineligible or Limited Scope Notes
While open broadly to Southeast Asian Studies scholars, the program has clear constraints.
- Student eligibility restrictions:
- Must be PhD students (not MA or undergraduate)
- Must be in early-stage research phase
- Priority considerations:
- Preference for students based at U.S. institutions
Program Purpose and Expected Impact
The program is designed to strengthen academic infrastructure in Southeast Asian Studies.
- Intended outcomes:
- Stronger PhD mentoring systems
- Improved academic collaboration networks
- Increased peer learning opportunities
- Enhanced research readiness before exams and fieldwork
- Long-term sustainability of Southeast Asian studies scholarship in the U.S.
Conclusion
The GETSEA PhD Mentoring Clusters initiative provides structured funding and mentorship support for early-stage Southeast Asian Studies PhD students through faculty-led cohorts.
- It strengthens:
- Graduate academic development
- Interdisciplinary research collaboration
- Cohort-based learning experiences
- Long-term scholarly networks across U.S. and Southeast Asia.
For more information, visit GETSEA.