The Luce Scholars Program represents a major effort by the Henry Luce Foundation to provide an awareness of Asia among potential leaders in American society. Launched in 1974, The Luce Scholars Program is aimed at a group of highly qualified young Americans in a variety of professional fields.
It is unique among American-Asian exchanges in that it is intended for young leaders who have had limited prior experience of Asia and who might not otherwise have an opportunity in the normal course of their careers to come to know Asia. The program provides stipends, language training and individualized professional placement in Asia for 15-18 young Americans each year.
Deadlines
Internal: Early October
External: Early November
Here's the link to view this year's specific deadline dates.
Eligibility
- U.S. citizens or permanent residents;
- Graduating seniors, recent graduates and young professionals under the age of 30. By June 20th of the year they enter the program, candidates must have received at least a bachelor's degree and will not have reached heir 30th birthday;
- Candidates with limited exposure to Asia, i.e. those who have not majored in Asian Studies and who have spent less than an accumulated total of 18 weeks in one or more Luce Scholars placement countries in Asia since graduating from High School.
- Candidates should have a record of high academic achievement, combined with the evidence of outstanding leadership ability. Most important, candidates must have a clearly defined career goal in a specific field and must give evidence of potential for professional accomplishment within that field;
- Personal characteristics that typify successful candidates include creativity, maturity, initiative, breadth of interest, enthusiasm, humility and sensitivity;
Application
The application form is available online at www.hluce.org. Each applicant must first complete an Eligibility Form online. If eligible, the applicant will be prompted to complete the application with the following:
- Luce Scholars Program Application;
- A Personal Statement (no more than 1,000 words outlining long-range career interests and reasons for applying to The Luce Scholars Program);
- Academic transcripts of all college and graduate work;
- A simple head shot photo which will be used to facilitate in-person interviews;
- Four letters of recommendation that represent a range of academic and professional references.
Learn more about The Luce Scholars Program at the above webpage, by visiting the Office of National Fellowships & Scholarships or by contacting the faculty liaison.