2025-2026 Indo-Pacific Futures Fellowship

Many of today’s biggest challenges arise from issues related to access to resources, environmental and economic instability, and gaps in effective governance. Addressing these requires leadership that is innovative, forward-thinking, and responsive to the needs of communities. Now in its second year, the Indo-Pacific Futures Fellowship from the East-West Center and the Doris Duke Foundation will examine the vital connections between food security, energy systems, and leadership for the greater good.

Fellows will explore how leadership can strengthen systems that balance economic growth, resource availability, and long-term sustainability. From personal food security to societal energy transitions, they will investigate strategies for providing reliable access to essential resources. Through storytelling, exploring perspectives, and immersive experiences, the program will foster meaningful conversations that unite different viewpoints and help shape a future where food and energy systems are both reliable and sustainable.

Participants will come from a range of backgrounds—spanning government, advocacy, communities, media and technology, arts, and entrepreneurship—bringing a variety of experiences and ideas. Through in-person sessions in Hawai‘i and Aotearoa (New Zealand), along Participants will come from a range of backgrounds—spanning government, advocacy, communities, media and technology, arts, business, entrepreneurship, including energy and food producers—bringing a variety of experiences and ideas. Through in-person sessions in Hawai‘i and Aotearoa (New Zealand), along with regular virtual meetings, they will engage with leading experts and collaborative activities designed to expand their knowledge, leadership capacities, and networks. The enduring skills and connections they gain will help them drive positive change in their communities and beyond.
 

For more information, please visit our website for more information. Questions can be directed to leadership@eastwestcenter.org.

Program Information
     Program runs October 2025-May 2026

• Pre-Residency Virtual Sessions: October 13-26, 2025
• Honolulu, Hawai‘i: October 27-November 7, 2025
• Virtual Sessions: November 8, 2025-May 24, 2026
• Wellington, New Zealand: May 25-31, 2026
   

Eligibility Criteria

• 5 to 10 years of professional leadership experience in any aspect of food and energy systems, including advocacy work in these sectors. Experience may comprise but is not limited to: elected officials, government agency representatives, advocacy group leaders, topic experts, community and industry leaders, artists, activists, and social and business entrepreneurs.
• Past experiences or current work with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region.
• There is no country restriction to apply/participate in the IPFF.
• Applicants will be expected to have a fluent level of English. Applicants are encouraged to provide an English language test score (such as IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC…) if available.
• A current passport with validity through the end of 2026.
• Able to fully commit to two weeks of travel in October and November 2025 and one week in May 2026, plus regular virtual connections in between and a capstone project to implement during and after the program.

Desirable Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years of studies in a higher education institution sanctioned by a degree representing a full-time program of study is preferred but not required.
• Dedicated to supporting initiatives that address the needs of communities affected by global challenges.
• Proven ability to work with people from different backgrounds and perspectives.
• Willingness to learn and try new techniques and approaches, and to face unfamiliar experiences with curiosity and openness to the process, as well as to be challenged and willing to push beyond their professional comfort zone with a commitment to their personal growth.
• Willing to engage fully in a place-based, action-oriented, creatively demanding program.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to complete writing and public speaking assignments with high quality.

Deadline
Applications must be submitted by April 18, 2025 (at 11:00 PM Hawai‘i Standard Time).
Completed applications include a Letter of Reference which will be accepted until April 27, 2025 (at 11:59 PM Hawai‘i Standard Time).

Letter(s) of Reference
One letter of reference from a professional contact is required to complete your application but two are suggested. Instructions with a link to the Letter of Reference form will be sent to your referee(s) via email upon the submission of your application. Inform your referee(s) ahead of submitting your application that a request will be coming from Submittable. Should your referee(s) require assistance, please have them contact our team at leadership@eastwestcenter.org. The program will not accept a Letter of Reference directly from applicants. References submitted past the deadline will not be considered during review.
 

Financial Information/Provisions 

The Indo-Pacific Futures Fellowship provides fellows with round-trip airfare to/from the program locations, program fee and materials, accommodation, travel insurance, meals, and some applicable visa-related costs (if required).  This program is subject to postponement/cancellation due to prevailing and unforeseen circumstances.

Submitting Your Application & Instructions
Create a Submittable account today to see the full application and apply!  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.
• 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 freely 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 EWC Leadership Program staff either through Submittable or at leadership@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.