National Fellowships

Founded by the Henry Luce Foundation in 1974 and administered by the Asia Foundation, the Luce Scholars program promotes cultural exchange “to provide an awareness of Asia among potential leaders in American society.” The program places approximately 18 recent graduates in East or Southeast Asia for one year. Scholars’ placements have included Japan, Mongolia, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, China, Brunei, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Professional placements are arranged for each Scholar on the basis of his or her individual interest, background, qualifications, and experience, and have included environments as diverse as television stations, newspapers, theatres, humanitarian organizations, NGOs, cultural organizations, a pediatric hospital, and a museum.

Candidates must be American citizens who, by September 1 of the year they enter the program, will have received at least a bachelor's degree and will not have reached their 30th birthday. Candidates may have majored in any field except Asian Studies, and must not have had significant experience in Asia. Nominees should have a record of high achievement, outstanding leadership ability, and a clearly defined career interest with evidence of potential for professional accomplishment. The program is intended to be experiential rather than academic or professional, so it may not be used to conduct academic study. The program includes intensive language study previous to beginning the placement.