The Asia Foundation Development Fellows Program 2025 for Emerging Leaders.

Application Deadline:  July 29, 2024, at 11:59 PM UTC-4

Applications are now open for the 2025 Asia Foundation Development Fellows Program. The Asia Foundation Development Fellows program is a dynamic and multifaceted learning program designed for highly talented Asian individuals under age 40 to enhance their leadership skills, Asian development knowledge, professional networks, and international exposure. The program reflects the Foundation’s nearly seven-decade tradition of investing in the region’s most promising future leaders. 

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

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

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.

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

More Info: Asia Foundation Development Fellows Program