The Henry Luce Foundation is pleased to introduce the 2025-2026 Luce Scholars—sixteen remarkable young leaders who will embark on a transformative year of immersive living and work experiences across Asia.
Selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants, this year’s Scholars bring expertise in civil society and social justice, public health, the environment, energy and natural resources, sustainable food systems, and more. With their drive, curiosity, and commitment to meaningful engagement, they will take on placements that align with their interests. These placements are designed to expand their perspectives, strengthen their leadership, and build bridges across cultures.
Through their experiences across Asia, [the Scholars] will deepen their understanding of the world, help forge new connections, and inspire dialogue across cultures.
The Luce Scholars Program is an experiential fellowship program that offers emerging leaders immersive professional placement in Asia tailored to their interests and aspirations. Over the 13-month program, these sixteen dynamic young professionals receive stipends, language training, and individualized professional placement in Asia that align with their interests. Through these experiences, the program aims to forge more robust, more informed, more compassionate relationships across geographic borders by creating opportunities for young Americans across diverse sectors and interests to deepen their ties and understanding of the countries, cultures, and people of Asia.
“The 2025-2026 Luce Scholars embody the spirit of curiosity, innovation, and engagement that has defined this program for more than five decades,” said Sean Buffington, Interim President of the Luce Foundation. “Through their experiences across Asia, they will deepen their understanding of the world, help forge new connections, and inspire dialogue across cultures. Their journeys will undoubtedly shape them as leaders and contribute to a more interconnected and dynamic global community.”
As these Scholars join the Luce Scholars Network, they will broaden their understanding of Asia and contribute their skills and insights to global challenges. We have no doubt they will go on to become leaders in their fields and catalysts for positive change.
Follow along as we share their journeys in the months ahead. Congratulations to the 2025-2026 Luce Scholars!
Meet the Scholars!
