The Taiwan Affinity Program (TAP) is a flagship initiative launched in 2025 by the Ministry of Education, Taiwan. Developed as a key project of the University Academic Alliance in Taiwan (UAAT), it is created to strengthen global research partnerships with scholars connected to Taiwan —whether through family, early education, or personal identity—and invite them to participate in high-level collaboration with Taiwan’s academic community.
UAAT is a strategic national initiative uniting 12 of the country’s top research-intensive universities. uaat.ntu.edu.tw/english/cl_n_186341.html
TAP aims to enhance our contribution to the broader advancement of science, innovation, and knowledge exchange. Selected projects are expected to address pressing global issues, generate high-impact academic outputs, and support capacity building between institutions.
TAP encourages proposals in the following fields:
- Emerging Technologies (e.g. semiconductors, AI, quantum computing)
- Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action
- Public Health and Biomedical Sciences
- Social Innovation and Global Governance
- Humanities and Arts
Scholars We Aim to Connect
TAP seeks to connect globally based scholars who have ties to Taiwan or prior collaboration experience. The program particularly encourages early-career scholars _of Taiwanese origin who are currently developing their academic careers internationally and who are interested in establishing long-te1m, substantive collaboration with Taiwan's academic community.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Early-to mid-career scholars cu叮ently affiliated with an accredited overseas university or research institution.
- Applicants aged 45 or below at the time of application will be given priority consideration (calculated as of 1 January2027; applicants born on or after 1 January 1982 are eligible under this crite1ion)
- At the initial stage, applicants (PI) may submit an individual pre-proposal. Shortlisted applicants will subsequently be required to form a project team that includes at least one scholar from a UAAT member university serving as Co-I.
Note: For applicants with out existing connections, the UAAT Office of Strategic Planning could provide assistance in identifying and facilitating collaboration with suitable UAAT scholars.
- Proposals should present interdisciplinary academic and/or talent development
collaboration derived from the TAP key focus areas.
Expected Outcomes / Benefits
- Strengthen academic link ages between Taiwan and international institutions
- Foster impactful scholarly outcomes
- Lay the foundation for long-term institution-to-institution collaboration
- Promote cross-cultural exchange and collaborative engagement
- Build a sustainable platform for talent cultivation
For more details: 2026 TAP Guideline
