Tang Scholarship

Thanks to an endowed gift to the CU Boulder Center for Asian Studies (CAS), each summer since 2010, the Tang Fund of New York has financially supported faculty-led Global Seminars in China or Taiwan (see full list below). All students accepted to designated Tang-funded programs receive generous scholarships to cover the majority of program costs. The scholarship is intended to support students who would otherwise be unlikely or unable to go to China or Taiwan, and since its start, nearly 200 CU Boulder students have taken this opportunity. Read their testimonials on the CAS blog.

China is one of the most important places in the world for students to understand because of its central role in global trade, the economy, sustainability, innovation, and culture. As the world’s second-largest economy and America’s largest trading partner, China shapes supply chains, financial markets, and international infrastructure projects. It is both the largest emitter of greenhouse gases and the leading producer of renewable energy technologies, making its policies central to climate solutions. China is also at the forefront of innovation in fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and aerospace that are reshaping global business and communication. At the same time, its 5,000 years of history and cultural traditions open doors for students to see the world differently, broaden their perspectives, and discover new ways of thinking. Classroom learning provides valuable foundations, but firsthand experience in China offers perspectives no textbook can replicate.

The Tang Fund was established with an original $1.2 million donation to CU Boulder's Center for Asian Studies in 2008. Laurel Rodd, CAS Director at the time, noted, "Firsthand experience in China can enrich education across all disciplines. It is our hope that by taking advantage of this program, students will gain new perspectives on their areas of study and a deeper understanding of China. The program is unique because it is not restricted to students majoring in Asian Studies and seeks to expose a broad spectrum of students to Chinese culture, and will have a different curriculum and professor each year. Topics covered by the program will include Chinese culture, history, religion, art, politics, environment and other disciplines."