Fellowship Programs
About this Program
In addition to our flagship fellowship programs like Asia Foundation Development Fellows, we also support young professionals across Asia and the Pacific in diplomacy, the arts, journalism and more.
On this page
Young Asian Diplomats Program
Each year, the program brings together 10 promising and talented mid-career diplomats from Asia and the Pacific, under the age of 40, for a curated dialogue and exchange program in the United States. The diplomats are selected from a pool of promising mid-career diplomats nominated by foreign ministries and other ministerial level agencies across Asia.
The fully funded two-week immersive program involves coursework on U.S. foreign and domestic policy, leadership training, exposure to key institutions, and an observation study tour. The program is uniquely positioned to build bridges of mutual understanding and trust by bringing the next generation of foreign policy experts into direct contact and collaboration with U.S. leaders and experts.
The Young Asian Diplomats program, which started in 2019, is made possible in part through the generous support of the Henry Luce Foundation.
Young Asian Diplomats News and Highlights
William P. Fuller Fellowship in Peacebuilding
Applications open June 10 – July 12, 2026; fellowship will run from November 10-21, 2026.
In 2004, The Asia Foundation’s Board of Trustees established the William P. Fuller Fellowship in Peacebuilding to honor Dr. Fuller at the conclusion of his 15-year tenure as president of the Foundation. This tribute reflects the organization’s long-standing interest in the field and Dr. Fuller’s personal concern for furthering the professional development of a cadre of young Asians with leadership potential and a commitment to advancing knowledge and experience regarding the management of subnational conflicts. The fellowship award supports a cohort of three Fuller Fellows each year for extended leadership training and professional development, a study tour and seminars with leading peacebuilding experts and institutions in the United States, a professional development grant to support their individually tailored projects or advance professional goals, and extended engagement with LeadEx and the Foundation’s Peace and Stability programs.
Fuller Fellowship News and Highlights
Margaret F. Williams Memorial Fellowship in Asian Art
The Margaret F. Williams Memorial Fellowship in Asian Art supports two emerging contemporary art curators with a substantive three-month residency at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco under the purview of the Contemporary Art department. Fellows contribute to the projects and events of the Contemporary Art department, have opportunities to create original projects, and apply their experiences to their own research. Fellows also receive a professional development award to develop an individualized study tour to advance their research, deepen their perspectives, and grow their professional networks.
In 2007, Asia Foundation President Emeritus Dr. Haydn Williams established the Margaret F. Williams Memorial Fellowship in Asian Art Program to honor his late wife, whose interest in art was influenced by their travels together. Mrs. Williams was also a docent at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. The fellowship contributes to the professional enhancement of specialists in the Asian art curatorial field.
Margaret Williams Fellowship News and Highlights
Chang-Lin Tien Distinguished Fellowship Program
Since 2018, The Asia Foundation has extended the program with the Chang-Lin Tien Distinguished Leadership Award and Leaders on the Frontlines events. The Award honors illustrious leaders who through extraordinary accomplishment, creative vision, and inspired leadership best exemplify Dr. Tien’s and the Foundation’s commitment to working for an open, peaceful, and prosperous Asia-Pacific region.
Past honorees include: Niwat Roykaew, Founder of the Chiang Kong Conservation Group, Thailand; Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, Founder and Chairperson, BRAC, Bangladesh; Dr. Isher Judge Ahluwalia, prominent Indian Economist; Dr. Mari Pangestu, Former Economic Minister of Indonesia; His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary General of the United Nations; Dr. Oyun Sanjaasuren, Former Member of Mongolian Parliament; Ratan Tata, chair of Tata Group; Dr. Eun Mee Kim, President of Ewha Womans University; and Maria Ressa and the founding members of Rappler. Learn about past honorees.
Chang-Lin Tien Fellowship News and Highlights
Luce Scholars Program
Established in 1974 by the Henry Luce Foundation, the Luce Scholars Program is a competitive and prestigious leadership development fellowship that provides emerging leaders with immersive professional experiences in Asia. The program aims to strengthen relationships across borders by offering Scholars opportunities to deepen their understanding of Asia’s countries, cultures, and people. Through this yearlong immersion, the Program equips scholars with knowledge and skills to address global leadership challenges and build a more interconnected world.
The Asia Foundation has had the honor of administering the Luce Scholars program in Asia since 1974. Today, there are more than 800 Luce Scholars alumni living around the world, making invaluable contributions as global leaders and citizens, and building lifelong professional relationships that began with this program. Their experiences demonstrate that there is no better way to build mutual understanding and a sense of common purpose than through sustained, immersive, in-person engagement with others. We are honored to bring this experience to young Americans each year. Learn more about the program at: lucescholars.org.
