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$2,500 Asia Foundation Development Fellowship
The Asia Foundation logoThe Asia FoundationFellowship

$2,500 Asia Foundation Development Fellowship

Dec 01, 2026 23:59:00 UTC
Opportunity type
Fellowship
Funding
Fully Funded
Location
Global
Deadline
Dec 01, 2026 23:59:00 UTC
Age
Up to 39

About this opportunity

The Asia Foundation, a nonprofit that has worked across Asia and the Pacific for seven decades, picks 10 emerging leaders under 40 each year for its flagship Development Fellows program. It is a year-long leadership fellowship you do alongside your current job, with a training module and study tour in Japan in March 2027 and a leadership exchange in and around San Francisco in November 2027. Selection is highly competitive: the 2026 cohort was chosen from more than 1,900 applicants.

What you get:

  • A Professional Development Award of up to US$2,500 for a plan you design yourself
  • Leadership training with executive coaches, site visits and sessions with policy leaders and innovators
  • Coaching and mentorship from The Asia Foundation's regional network
  • A place in a network of 142 fellows from 25 countries since 2014

What you'll do:

  • Spring 2027: Leadership Training Program and Study Tour in Japan, March 11 to 20, alongside the Perennial Gathering
  • Fall 2027: Leadership Dialogue and Exchange Program in the United States, November 7 to 18, around San Francisco
  • Design and carry out your own professional development plan

Key dates:

  • Applications close December 1, 2026
  • The 2027 cohort is announced in early February 2027
  • Japan module March 11 to 20, 2027; United States module November 7 to 18, 2027

What you get:

  • Professional Development Award of up to US$2,500 for a tailored plan
  • Leadership training with executive coaches, site visits and policy sessions
  • Coaching and mentorship from the Foundation's regional network
  • Membership of a network of 142 fellows from 25 countries

What you'll do:

  • Leadership Training Program and Study Tour, Japan, March 11 to 20, 2027
  • Leadership Dialogue and Exchange Program, United States, November 7 to 18, 2027
  • Carry out an individual professional development plan

Key dates:

  • Applications close December 1, 2026
  • Cohort announced early February 2027
  • Japan module March 11 to 20, 2027
  • United States module November 7 to 18, 2027

More information:

  • Worth checking yourself: open to resident nationals or citizens of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, the Pacific Island nations, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. Applicants from Afghanistan, Myanmar and Laos are considered only if already based in the United States.
  • You must attend every program component on the set dates, with no exceptions, and be able to get a US visa.
  • The Foundation does not respond to individual questions about application status.
  • Questions: development.fellows@asiafoundation.org

Who can apply

  • Under 40 years of age by January 1, 2027
  • Resident national or citizen of an eligible country in Asia or the Pacific (see Worth checking yourself)
  • Afghanistan, Myanmar and Laos: only if already based in the United States
  • Conversant in English (TOEFL results not required)
  • Available for all program components on the specified dates, no exceptions
  • Able to secure a visa for travel to the United States
  • A record of high achievement and experience related to The Asia Foundation's focus areas

AI Verification

✓ AI Verified

Our AI read the official sources and cross-checked the key facts. Here is what held up, and what it could not confirm.

Details last checked 6 Nov 2026

We could not fully verify this organization or all of its details. Check it independently on the official website before you apply, and never share sensitive personal or financial information until you are sure a request is genuine.

78
LOT Verification ScoreSolid

Cross-checked 9 of 13 key facts

Confirmed Our best read Not stated

Good to know

  • +Established nonprofit with seven decades in Asia
  • +Flagship program, 142 fellows since 2014
  • +Can be done alongside a current job
  • +Cash award up to US$2,500 per fellow

Worth checking yourself

  • !The 2027 pages do not spell out travel and lodging; last cycle's guidelines said the programme was fully funded at no cost to fellows. Confirm with development.fellows@asiafoundation.org before you book anything
  • !2027 pages do not state that travel and lodging are covered; only the 2025 guidelines did
  • !Application fee: none seen on the 2027 announcement, the 2027 programme page (editor) or the portal login page; no 2027 guidelines PDF is linked from either page
  • !Deadline time not stated for 2027; sent as 23:59 UTC (last cycle closed 11:59pm US Eastern)
  • !Under 40 cut-off: aimed at early and mid-career professionals, not students
  • !Attendance at every module is mandatory; a US visa is required
  • !Only 10 places; 2026 had more than 1,900 applicants
  • !Cohort size: the programme page says 12 fellows, the 2027 announcement says 10; the record uses 10 for this cycle

Sources checked

ASasiafoundation.orgApplyWEwebportalapp.comOfficialASasiafoundation.orgApplyASasiafoundation.orgApplyASasiafoundation.orgApplyASasiafoundation.orgApplyASasiafoundation.orgApply

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$2,500 Asia Foundation Development Fellowship
Dec 01, 2026 23:59:00 UTC