The Asia Pacific Leadership Program (APLP) brings together people who value diversity and who are committed to co-creating futures that are peaceful, prosperous, equitable, and just. APLP fellows engage in experiential, place-based learning and explore leadership concepts and practices that enhance personal, team, and community effectiveness. Fellows reflect on the leadership challenges posed by today’s world, and develop strategies to address these challenges in local, regional, and global contexts.
The APLP Approach:
- Place-Based: Focuses on leadership in context and builds on communities’ diversity and abundance
- Experiential: Supports Fellows as they practice leadership together, reflect on results, and refine their strategies for greater impact
- Transformational: Fosters individual and collective growth for emerging and established leaders
For over 20 years, we have been cultivating leaders who are motivated and capable of creating positive impacts in the Asia Pacific region and beyond. Incoming Fellows join a network of 700+ APLP alumni from 45 countries across the globe.
For more information, please visit our website and FAQ section. To contact us, please email APLP@EastWestCenter.org.
2025 Program Information
Program runs: May 15-December 5, 2025
- Pre-residency Virtual Connection: May 15-July 1
- Residency in Hawai`i: July 2-August 8*
- Post-residency Virtual Connection: August 9-December 5
*includes a field study within the Hawaiian Islands
Program Costs (USD): $9,840
- Program Fee: $7,000
- Housing in East-West Center living quarters: $940 (based on 37 nights)
- Estimated living expenses in Hawaii: $1,900 (approximate @ $50/day)
- Note: program cost does not include airfare to/from Hawai`i and visa fees; supplementary scholarships are available to defray the cost of the program fee and housing. More information regarding scholarships are in the application.
**The program is subject to postponement/cancellation due to prevailing and unforeseen circumstances.
Eligibility Criteria
- A demonstrated commitment to promoting peace and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region through professional work, study, or living experience
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited higher education institution in the United States, or equivalent degree representing a full-time program of study of at least 3 years' duration, from an officially-recognized higher education institution outside of the United States.
- At least 5 years of work experience
- There are no citizenship, age, or ethnicity restrictions
- Applicants will be expected to have a fluent level of English. Applicants are encouraged to provide an English language test score (such as IELTS), if one is available.
Desirable Qualifications
- Leadership track record in professional, public, and/or personal realms
- Willingness to engage fully in place-based experiential, and transformational leadership development training
- Deep involvement in a specific organization, business or community impact initiative (applicants must explain how, with their home-based teams, they will experiment with the leadership strategies learned in APLP)
- International experience, including overseas residence, language skills, intercultural and diversity exposure
- Experience of cohort learning, working collaboratively in small teams or in large groups.
Deadline
Applications must be submitted by the extended deadline of November 1, 2024 @ 11:00 PM Hawai`i Standard Time (HST).
Letters of Reference will be accepted until November 8, 2024.
Letter of Reference
One letter of reference is required to complete your application. Instructions with a link to the Letter of Reference form will be sent to your referee via email upon the submission of your application. Should your referee need assistance, please have them contact our team at aplp@eastwestcenter.org. The program will not accept a Letter of Reference directly from applicants. The program is unable to resend reference requests on an applicant's behalf. To resend a reference request, please follow these instructions.
Submitting Your Application & Instructions
Create a Submittable account today to see the full application and apply for the APLP! Please refer to application guidelines and specific requirements of the program before completing this form.
- Please complete the application in English.
- Read the instructions for each item carefully before entering your information.
- Applications that use generative AI in short responses, lacking specific context and details, may be disqualified.
- Submittable does not log you out automatically when you exit your browser. Therefore, it is important that you sign out from your Submittable account, especially when you are using a public computer.
- Since you will not be able to edit your application, make sure to thoroughly review your application before submitting. If your application is not ready, you can save it as a draft and submit it at a later time. The saved drafts of your application can be found in your account under My Submissions (or Submissions).
- If after submission you need to change something in your application, contact the APLP staff either through Submittable or at APLP@EastWestCenter.org to request open editing access. Open editing access will only be granted for editing/changing major fields such as Referee information.
- Submittable email notifications can be filtered as junk/spam. Be sure to add Submittable to your list of approved senders.
The Pacific Islands Development Program invites submissions to Our Pacific Stories, a series dedicated to celebrating the local and community journalism of our program alumni.
Relevance: Content should center around local and community journalism that reflects Pacific Islander perspectives, voices, and viewpoints. The Pacific Islands means the places, peoples, and societies within what is understood today as the Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia sub-regions of Oceania. To reference current priorities, issues, and concerns relevant to the Pacific Islands region, visit the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
Quality: Content should be original, balanced, thoughtful, concise, and tell a compelling story.
Tone: Constructive criticism and analysis of issues that takes into account all relevant viewpoints is welcomed. However, strong political bias, sarcasm, personal attacks, cultural insensitivity, and any form of disparagement is not acceptable.
Style: Writing style should follow the 56th edition of The Associated Press Stylebook. Spelling should follow the 11th edition of the Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary.
Language: Content can be in any language spoken in the Pacific Islands, but English translation or subtitles should be included if the content is not in English. Languages other than English, especially Indigenous languages, do not need to be italicized unless the contributor prefers to do so.
Accessibility: Consider creating content that is accessible to a wider audience, including non-specialists and those with disabilities. This can include adding captions, providing transcripts, or ensuring that visual content is clear and descriptive.
AI Transparency: There is a growing consensus among scholarly organizations, including the Committee on Publication Ethics, that artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as Chat GPT or large language models do not fulfill the necessary criteria for authorship, as they lack the capacity to assume ethical and legal responsibility for the content they produce. Thus, as a matter of policy, content generated by AI or machine learning tools are not accepted for publication.
Length: Submissions must be between 800 to 1,200 words, excluding citations and references.
Reprints: We accept previously published pieces. Contributors are responsible for providing verification of the required permissions.
Ethical Journalism: Contributors should review and comply with the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics. Local or national media guidelines may also apply.
- Accuracy: Ensure all facts are correct and sourced from reliable information. Avoid sensationalism or exaggeration.
- Respect and Representation: Content must respect the dignity and rights of individuals and communities featured. Avoid stereotypes and ensure balanced and fair representation.
- Informed Consent: Obtain consent from individuals featured in content, particularly vulnerable populations such as children or elders. This includes permission to use their likeness and voice.
Format and Technical Requirements:
- Text: Text should be between 300 and 2,000 words, excluding citations, if any. Submit text files in DOC or DOCX formats.
- Video: Reels should not exceed 60 seconds. Longer digital journalism pieces should not exceed 10 minutes. Submit video files in MP4 or MOV formats.
- Audio: Short-form audio should not exceed 5 minutes. Longer pieces, such as feature stories or podcasts, should not exceed 40 minutes. Submit audio files in MP3 or WAV formats.
- Image: Photos should be high-resolution, at least 300 DPI. Submit image files in JPG or PNG formats. Provide a brief caption for each photo, including the location, context, and any relevant details. Captions should be clear and concise, following AP Style where applicable.
Submission: Submit work online via Submittable. Submissions can be submitted year-round. For questions or concerns regarding submissions, contact pireport@eastwestcenter.org. Contributors can expect a publication decision email within approximately one to three weeks after submission.
Editorial Rights: The Pacific Islands Development Program decides what gets published, and we might edit for length and clarity. No submissions are compensated.
The Pacific Islands Development Program's quarterly publication Visions & Voices welcomes submissions of essays, articles, commentary, and concise pieces that pertain to the Pacific Islands region.
Relevance: Submissions should focus on Pacific Islands-related issues. The Pacific Islands means the places, peoples, and societies within what is understood today as the Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia sub-regions of Oceania. The subject matter should maintain its relevance for a minimum of six months after publication. To reference current priorities, issues, and concerns relevant to the Pacific Islands region, visit the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
Quality: Submissions should be original, balanced, thoughtful, and concise.
Tone: Constructive criticism and analysis of issues that takes into account all relevant viewpoints is welcomed. However, strong political bias, sarcasm, personal attacks, cultural insensitivity, and any form of disparagement is not acceptable.
Accessibility: Submissions should be written for a general audience to understand, not just for specialists.
Length: Submissions must be between 800 to 1,200 words, excluding citations and references.
Style: Spelling should follow the 11th edition of the Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. Style should follow the 17th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style with two exceptions. The first exception is that languages other than English, especially Indigenous languages, do not need to be italicized. The second exception is that digital journalism and commentary submissions may instead follow the 56th edition of The Associated Press Stylebook.
Citations: Include citations where necessary. Citations should follow the 17th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style unless there is a rational reason to use a different format, such as The Bluebook for legal writing or The Associated Press Stylebook for digital journalism and commentary pieces. Citation formatting should be consistent throughout the document.
AI Transparency: There is a growing consensus among scholarly organizations, including the Committee on Publication Ethics, that artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT or large language models do not fulfill the necessary criteria for authorship, as they lack the capacity to assume ethical and legal responsibility for the content they produce. Thus, as a matter of policy, submissions generated by AI or machine learning tools are not accepted for publication.
Submission: Submit work online via Submittable. Contributors can expect an email notification regarding acceptance or rejection within approximately four to six weeks following the applicable submission deadline. Submissions received after a submission deadline will be considered for the next submission deadline.
- Issue 1: Submissions received by the end of December are considered for publication in February.
- Issue 2: Submissions received by the end of March are considered for publication in May.
- Issue 3: Submissions received by the end of June are considered for publication in August.
- Issue 4: Submissions received by the end of September are considered for publication in November.
Editorial Rights: The Pacific Islands Development Program decides what gets published, and we might edit for length and clarity. No submissions are compensated.
Reprints: We accept previously published pieces. Contributors are responsible for providing verification of the required permissions.
East-West Center Scholarship Recipients and Student Affiliates are eligible to apply for grants to support conference travel and field research that is relevant to the Asia Pacific region. Conference grants cover the cost of airfare and conference fees up to $2,000 (US or International). Field research grants cover costs associated with original research for the grantee’s thesis or dissertation, up to $4,000. Grants are awarded competitively, in three rounds, through an application process. A call for applications will be sent approximately six weeks prior to the due dates for each round.
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The East-West Center prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. The notice of nondiscrimination is located at About Title IX.
The POSCO Visiting Fellowship Program, endowed by POSCO, is intended to promote research activities on Korean topics at the East-West Center. The program invites outstanding scholars and policymakers to engage in policy-relevant, contemporary research on political, security, and economic issues in Northeast Asia, as they relate to Korea.
POSCO Visiting Fellows carry out policy-relevant research on contemporary issues in Korean studies. In particular, the POSCO Fellowship Program is intended to generate constructive and informative research in four important areas: (1) The two Koreas and Northeast Asia; (2) Security issues for Korea and Northeast Asia; (3) Economic and social issues in South Korea; and (4) Political challenges in Korea.
This program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the East-West Center. The East-West Center prohibits discrimination of any kind, including sex discrimination, in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. The notice of nondiscrimination is located at About Title IX. For a list of all EWC participant policies, please see https://ewcparticipantinfo.org/participant-policies/
Important Application Guidelines
Read the instructions for each item carefully before entering your information.
- Submittable does not log you out automatically when you exit your browser. Therefore, it is important that you sign out from your Submittable account, especially when you are using a public computer.
- Since you will not be able to edit it afterward, make sure to review your application before submitting it. If your application is not ready, you can save it as a draft and submit it at a later time. The saved drafts of your application can be found in your account under My Submissions (or Submissions).
- If after submission you need to change something in your application, contact the USSP scholarship program at USSP@EastWestCenter.org.
USSP application information, downloadable from the East-West Center website, provide detailed application instructions for the USSP program.
For inquiries, please contact the EWC Registrar's Office at USSP@EastWestCenter.org
Please include in your message your (1) full name, (2) country of citizenship, and (3) intended degree program.
Access to technical help with using Submittable is available here.
All fields with an asterisk (*) are required.
In 2025, the Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) at the East-West Center (EWC) will host a six-week hybrid, leadership development program for early to mid-career professionals from across sectors. The program will include a residency in Hawai'i and a field immersion in Washington, D.C. This program will provide individuals from PICL Member countries/territories and the State of Hawai'i the opportunity to enhance their leadership capacities and build a network with other leaders from across the Pacific and the US. Participants will engage in experiential learning in a cohort of 20 early to mid-career professionals from all sectors. RPIL attracts participants possessing high leadership potential and a commitment to serve their national and regional development goals. The curriculum for these rising leaders centers on the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, equipping participants to serve as leaders in implementing the values, commitments, and outcomes of the Strategy. Program content is delivered by diverse range of regional professionals. The program strengthens participants’ knowledge and understanding of key regional economic, social, political, health, educational and environmental issues, and cultivates culturally sustaining leadership capacities.
This program is made possible through funding and support from the East-West Center and U.S. Government.
Program Dates: March 31 to May 10, 2025
Eligibility:
- Citizen of a Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders (PICL) Member country/territory/State of Hawai'i: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawai'i, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
- Obtain strong letters of reference from reputable individuals and organizations in the region, with preference given to applicants who obtain formal letters of reference from PICL Member governments.
- Bachelor’s degree. Exceptions may be considered on the basis of other relevant experience and qualifications.
- The program is aimed at early- to mid-career professionals.
- A minimum of 3 years demonstrated impact as a rising leader in your professional career and/or respective community.
- All qualified persons especially indigenous Pacific Islanders in all their diversities are strongly encouraged to apply
DEADLINES
- Application Deadline: 11:59 pm, November 22, 2024 (Hawaii Standard Time)
- Letter of Reference Deadline: 11:59 pm, November 29, 2024 (Hawaii Standard Time)
IMPORTANT APPLICATION GUIDELINES
- Read the instructions for each item carefully before entering your information.
- The application software does not log you out automatically when you exit your browser. Therefore, it is important that you sign out from your application account especially when you are using a public computer.
- Since you will not be able to edit your application after submitting, make sure to review your application before submitting. If your application is not ready, you can save it as a draft and submit it at a later time. The saved drafts of your application can be found in your account under My Submissions (or Submissions).
- If, after submission, you need to change something in your application, contact the RPIL team at RPIL@EastWestCenter.org