Students are invited to apply for the Program for Early Modern Southeast Asia Archaeology Field School in Taiwan, scheduled for June 25-July 13, 2026. Deadline: February 28, 2026

The Program for Early Modern Southeast Asia (PEMSEA) is calling for applications to the 2026 Field School in Sqoyaw, Taiwan, tentatively scheduled from June 25 to July 13, 2026. Students participating in the 3-week field school will learn how to conduct archaeological field research share the results of their studies by writing research papers and creating and participating in public presentations; and through active involvement in public outreach activities.

The field season will be divided into blocks of activities, geared toward achieving the research goals of the project. Activities include participation in surface mapping, archaeological excavations, the initial processing of artifacts, ethnographic interviews, and laboratory analyses. Lectures discussions, one-on-one meetings, and hands-on laboratory training will be held every evening to guide students to complete their research projects.

This field school is in collaboration with National Chengchi University, National Taiwan University, and the Sqoyaw community. Accepted students will have the opportunity to attend classes offered online by UCLA and NCCU in Spring Quarter 2026. The field school has been awarded funding by the Henry Luce Foundation's Luce Southeast Asia Initiative, complemented by funding from the UCLA Cotsen Institute of Archaeology and UCLA International Institute. Undergraduate students will be selected through a competitive process. Costs of roundtrip airfare, field accommodation, meals, and ground travel for selected students will be covered by PEMSEA. Students are responsible for personal expenses.

PEMSEA is a partnership between the UCLA Center for Southeast Asian Studies, the University of Hawai’i-Mānoa Center for Southeast Asian Studies, and the University of Washington Department of Anthropology.

Eligibility and Credit

• This program is particularly suited to undergraduate students interested in the archaeology of colonialism, climate and environmental change, and community archaeology.
• Students have the option to take credit-bearing courses through their respective institutions (i.e. directed research).
• As a prerequisite of their application, students should complete or plan to complete a SEA-themed course at an institution of higher education.
• We particularly welcome applications from traditionally underrepresented students and Southeast Asian heritage students.

Application 

The application consists of:

• a complete online application submitted (Google account required) by February 28, 2026;
• copies of unofficial transcripts;
• contact information for one professional reference;
• a sample of writing submitted through the online application

Please check for a confirmation email from us once we have received your application.

Application can be accessed here: https://forms.gle/czs8f8jikn4ynEJs5

Questions?

Contact 

Mark Francisco, PEMSEA Coordinator, mffrancisco@g.ucla.edu

Maddie Yakal, Field Director, maddie@ioa.ucla.edu