Luce Overview | Inter/National Fellowships

What is the Luce Scholarship?

National Deadline:

October 16, 2023 at 5:00 PM

Contact the Office of Fellowships for support at least one month before this deadline.

Established in 1974, the Luce Scholars Program is a nationally competitive fellowship that offers early-career leaders immersive, professional experiences in one of many countries in Asia for 13 months. The program aims to forge stronger relationships across geographic borders by creating opportunities for young Americans to deepen their ties and understanding of the countries, cultures, and people of this region. The program provides stipends, language training, and individualized professional placement in Asia for 15-18 Luce Scholars each year in a variety of fields, including but not limited to the arts, journalism, law, medicine, science, public health, environmental studies, and international relations. The program is unique among American-Asian exchanges in that it is intended for young leaders with limited experience of Asia. The fellowship is funded by the Henry Luce Foundation.

The Luce Scholar year is a 13-month commitment beginning with the orientation in June through the wrap-up meeting in July of the following year. A professional placement is individually arranged for each Scholar on the basis of his or her professional interest, background, and qualifications. The Scholars contribute their talents to NGOs, government agencies, private companies, universities, think tanks, and museums. In the past, placements have been made in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Timor Leste. See where Luce Scholars were placed last year. Read Scholar Stories.

Award Details

How much funding is awarded and how can I use it?

Travel expenses are covered, and Scholars receive a living stipend based on a three-tier system taking into account the U.S. Department of State's Cost-of-Living Index and housing costs for each country. Scholars should be able to live comfortably without recourse to personal savings or other income sources, regardless of where they are placed.

Who is eligible?

The intent of the program is to provide an in-depth experience in Asia to young Americans who would not otherwise have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the country where they are placed.

Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Candidates may be graduating seniors, recent graduates, or young professionals under the age of 32, OR if older than 32, candidates must have received their bachelor's degree within the past three years
Candidates who have spent a significant amount of time (18 weeks or more since beginning college) in more than one of the countries where we place Luce Scholars are not eligible to apply for the Luce.
Candidates who have spent 18 weeks or more (since beginning college) in only one of the countries where we place Luce Scholars are eligible to apply but will not be placed in the country where they have spent significant time.

What are the selection criteria?

The Luce year is experiential, not academic, in nature. Selectors are interested in knowing if candidates are likely to be a leaders in their field. Evidence that the candidate is an outstanding thinker is welcome, but reviewers will also be interested in assessments of character, interpersonal skills, and leadership qualities. The Program seeks Scholars who demonstrate the following traits and interests: exploratory curiosity; interest in and willingness to embrace diverse perspectives, beliefs, and modes of living; adaptability; open-mindedness; resilience; humility; a commitment to serving and supporting others.

Does this application require endorsement by the college?

No. But the Office of Fellowships staff will offer advice and essay feedback if you inquire at least a month before the deadline.

Who from Amherst has won this award?

Since the 1980's, eight Amherst seniors or alums have been awarded the Luce Scholarship. Our most recent winner was Bessie Young '11 who spent her Luce year in Japan pursuing her interests in geography and cross-cultural gerontology.

What is the mission of the Henry Luce Foundation?

The Henry Luce Foundation seeks to deepen knowledge and understanding in pursuit of a more democratic and just world. They do so by nurturing knowledge communities and institutions, fostering dialogue across divides, enriching public discourse, amplifying diverse voices, and investing in leadership development. Learn more about the re-imagined mission, vision, and values of the organization.

A woman writing on paper in front of a computer

How do I apply and what do I need?

The Luce Application Steps page tells you how to apply, what you need to do yourself or request from others, and when to do it.

Luce Application Steps

Information for Recommenders

Luce candidates should have clearly-defined career interests and potential for professional accomplishment. The Luce year is experiential, not academic, in nature. Selectors are interested in knowing if candidates are likely to be a leaders in their field. Evidence that the candidate is an outstanding thinker is welcome, but reviewers will also be interested in assessments of character, interpersonal skills, and leadership qualities. The Program seeks Scholars who demonstrate the following traits and interests: exploratory curiosity; interest in and willingness to embrace diverse perspectives, beliefs, and modes of living; adaptability; open-mindedness; resilience; humility; a commitment to serving and supporting others. Recommenders may also find helpful these general Suggestions for Writers of Recommendations.

Format and submission: There is no word limit. Letters for Luce should be printed on institutional letterhead and signed whenever possible. Recommenders will receive an email from the Luce application system requesting that the letter be uploaded to their portal by the foundation's application deadline of October 16, 2023. Applicants for the Luce no longer have to apply through the College, so there is no early internal deadline for letters and there is no need to send it to the Office of Fellowships. However, if the applicant is named a finalist, we will ask you to share your letter with us so that we prepare them for their interview with all of the application information at hand.

Have questions? Please contact us.

Christine Overstreet, Director of Fellowships
212 Converse Hall
413-542-2536
coverstreet@amherst.edu

Physical address: 100 Boltwood Avenue, Amherst, MA 01002

Mailing Address: AC #2214, PO Box 5000, Amherst, MA 01002

Office of Fellowships Luce Overview