Description

Since its inception 47 years ago, the Luce Scholars Program has provided an opportunity for young Americans with strong leadership potential to live and work in Asia. The focus of the program is cultural immersion through professional placement. Working at diverse local and regional institutions where, at least initially, they often feel uncomfortable linguistically, culturally and professionally, Luce Scholars learn to challenge themselves, develop a sophisticated understanding of a dynamic region critical to America’s future, and gain a new way to see the world and the U.S. alike.
The program has prided itself on its individually tailored nature, offering close mentorship and practical assistance before and during the Scholars’ Luce year. In Asia, we have partnered with The Asia Foundation (TAF) since the first class crossed the Pacific. With a network of field offices throughout Asia and detailed knowledge of local organizations and conditions, TAF remains uniquely qualified to manage Luce Scholar placements and provide support services in eligible countries and regions, expanded to 19 from the original six: Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam.
The Fellowship years 2021-22 and 2022-23 will differ from prior years. The Foundation has paused recruitment for one year—2021-22—which means that there will be placements in Asia in 2022-23. The Asia Foundation will continue to support the cohort that began their fellowship year this fall. But TAF will not be called upon to manage a cohort next year.
Instead, TAF staff, along with Program alumni, university fellowship advisors, and experts in international travel and leadership programs, will work with Luce Foundation staff to assess the program and to propose and implement changes where appropriate. The Program will re-launch in 2023-24—the start of the Program’s 50 th anniversary.
The grant awarded this November—coupled with savings over the last 18 months of the pandemic from reduced travel and lodging costs—will enable TAF to cover most of its costs and the costs of the supporting Scholars during the transition and the re-launch, and perhaps beyond. We will work with TAF—after changes to the Program have been finalized and planning for the anniversary has begun—to develop a more precise and detailed budget for administering the program in future years. This budget will enable us to assess what additional resources—if any—may be needed by TAF between 2022 and 2024 and should be provided in a supplemental grant next November. It will, of course, also help us to determine what funding TAF will require, going forward, on an annual basis.
Luce Foundation Directors Terrence B. Adamson and Mary Brown Bullock are trustees of The Asia Foundation.