The 1990 Institute is pleased to announce the winners of the Joint OYCF – The 1990 Institute Research Fellowship for 2009.

The 1990 Institute will grant  $5,000 to each of the following two projects:

Made in China: "Race to the Bottom" Competition and Export Upgrading in China's Coastal Localities
Ling Chen
Ph.D. Candidate, Political Science
Johns Hopkins University

Beyond Access: Rural Chinese Youths' Perceptions of Education and Society
Jingjing Lou
Assistant Professor, Education and Youth Studies
Beloit College

The Joint Research Fellowship Program was established between The 1990 Institute and the Overseas Young Chinese Forum (OYCF) in 2003 for overseas scholars, professionals and graduate students.  Its purpose is to sponsor research projects that analyze economic and social issues facing China, and explore implications and solutions from a policy perspective. Preferential consideration is given to projects that involve fieldwork in China or collaboration with researchers in China.

This year, we received seventeen (17) research proposals. Our applicants included Ph.D. candidates and scholars. Due to the large number of high quality applications, the selection decision was a difficult one to make. We truly appreciate all our applicants' strong dedication to research relating to China as well as their support for our Program. In the coming years, OYCF will continue to work with The 1990 Institute to support as many qualified projects as possible.

The success of our Research Fellowship Program depends on your continued support. As we congratulate this year's winners, we would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the applicants this year, and encourage you all to participate in this Program by bringing to us your best project proposals in the future.

The 1990 Institute and OYCF hopes to continue to support as many qualified projects as possible.

We congratulate this year's winners and sincerely thank all the applicants who applied for the 2009 Research Fellowship.

The 1990 Institute also wishes to acknowledge the J.T. Tai Foundation for its generous support of this and other programs of the Institute.