Program Information

Program Description

In recognition of the growing urgency of the global climate crisis, the 2025 Asia Foundation Development Fellows Program will focus on Climate Action. Eligibility will require candidates to demonstrate a career background or vocation focused on addressing climate change and a proven commitment to working toward achieving a resilient, sustainable future. The program will remain designed to develop leadership skills and include a multidisciplinary cohort. Fellows may come from various professional backgrounds, including but not limited to environmental sciences, sustainability, climate and conservation, community engagement and activism, and environmental policy and law. They may also be journalists, conflict and fragility specialists, women’s rights activists, or any field whose work intersects climate issues. No professional background is ineligible if a candidate can demonstrate the intersection of their work with climate action.

The Asia Foundation Development Fellows program is comprised of the following components:

Spring 2025: Leadership Training Program and Study Tour
Nepal, February 17 to 28, 2025

The Leadership Dialogue and Exchange program in Asia and the Pacific presents a series of highly interactive leadership training modules with executive coaches; site visits with leading development practitioners and thinkers recognized policy leaders, and local innovators; short assignments; and sessions focused on building self-awareness and wellness for leaders. Training modules focus on strategic thinking and decision-making, working with participants on developing critical perspectives, problem-solving skills, managing change, and introducing innovative approaches in leadership and management. Site visits will allow fellows to explore approaches that deliver a positive impact and advance development knowledge. The internal leadership curriculum will address pain points specific to leaders fighting for climate change, and external meetings both in Asia and the US will focus more intently on trends in climate action and meeting with individuals and organizations doing innovative work in the climate space. The program takes place in countries across Asia and the Pacific where local needs and challenges serve as a contextual backdrop for exploring theories of change and practice in international development.

Fall 2025: Leadership Dialogue and Exchange Program
United States, October 6 to 17, 2025

The Leadership Dialogue and Exchange Program will continue the work from the spring session, providing important opportunities for Fellows to extend personal bonds with their cohort and build new international perspectives and networks of support, particularly in the climate action space. Over this two-week period, the Fellows will participate in a comprehensive series of programs, policy discussions, and unique learning and leadership development opportunities organized in the San Francisco Bay Area and Washington, DC.

Executive Coaching & Mentoring

The Asia Foundation lends valuable perspectives to the field of leadership development, with a proven program history and record of commitment throughout Asia and the Pacific. Building on the Foundation’s regional network and local capacity, the program offers mentorship-matching support tailored to the background and professional interests of each of the Fellows. Additionally, Fellows are offered a fixed number of one-on-one executive coaching sessions throughout their fellowship year.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Asia Foundation Development Fellows must:

• Have a demonstrable record of experience and accomplishment related to climate action and a proven commitment to working toward achieving a resilient, sustainable future. No professional background is ineligible if a candidate can demonstrate the intersection of their work with climate action.
• Be thoughtful, committed, respected, and inspirational leaders in their professional fields and community.
• Be under 40 years of age by January 1, 2025.
• Be conversant in English (TOEFL exam results are not required).
• Be available and able to participate in all program components on the program dates specified.
• Be able to secure a visa for travel to the United States.
• Be resident nationals or citizens of the following countries and regions: Afghanistan, Australia*, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Maldives, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific Islands, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.

*For applicants from Australia, this is a First Peoples Identified role only open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The filling of this position is intended to constitute a special measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and from: s 27 of the Discrimination Act 1991 (ACT), s 57 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1996 (NT), s 105 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld), s 65 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA), ss 25 and 26 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 (Tas), s 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic) and s 8(4) of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic), s 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA). This appointment is only available to Aboriginal or Torres Strait people who are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and are accepted by their community as being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Selection Process

The program is highly competitive. Staff from The Asia Foundation will evaluate each application thoroughly and narrow down the pool of applicants. A distinguished committee with expertise on needs and development conditions in Asia and the Pacific will conduct final selections. Fellows will be chosen regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic background, marital status, or financial need. All submitted application information will be treated as confidential unless stated otherwise in the application. The identities of nominees will also remain confidential throughout the final selection process.

Selection Timeline:

• June 10 to July 29, 2024: Applications open
• August 2024 to November 2024: Internal Asia Foundation review
• November to December 2024: The selection committee convenes and selects from a pool of finalists; the final selection is announced, and the fellowship year commences

Please direct any inquiries to the Asia Foundation Development Fellows staff at [email protected].