2027 Advanced Leadership Program

The East-West Center’s Advanced Leadership Program (ALP) provides established professionals with an opportunity to deepen their engagement with leadership education and development while advancing their own professional learning. Designed for a cohort of 3-4 fellows, the program combines opportunities to design and facilitate learning experiences in EWC’s Asia-Pacific Leadership Program with independent work, reflection, research, and professional exploration. The intent of ALP is to create a collaborative environment in which fellows can both contribute their expertise and experience and develop new directions in their own leadership practice and professional work.

As part of the program, participants develop a Professional Development Plan outlining their learning objectives, anticipated activities, and desired outcomes. Progress toward these goals is supported by the Leadership Program team throughout the fellowship.

The program is designed for professionals with approximately 10–15 years of experience who are seeking to transition into, or expand their engagement with, leadership education and development in any sector. Competitive applicants will demonstrate a strong record of leadership, a commitment to ongoing personal and professional growth, and a dedication to advancing the prosperity and sustainability of the Asia-Pacific region.

Program Information 

June 1-July 31, 2027

Anticipated Outcomes

• Expanded capacity to design and facilitate leadership development practices 
• Progress in advancing ideas from concept toward action
• Greater clarity about professional direction and next steps 
• Increased reflective leadership practice and greater professional confidence 

Key Program Components

• Collaborate with the Leadership Program team to co-design and deliver sessions within EWC Asia Pacific Leadership Program.
• Enhance individual career development by self-designing a space for research and exploration aligned with professional and personal interests. 
• Interact with other ALP fellows and the Leadership Programs team on peer coaching, leading to an acceleration of learning through diverse perspectives, insights, and shared challenges.
• Network with research fellows, visiting scholars, professionals, practitioners, and students.
• Participate and engage in East-West Center seminars, events, and programs.
• Ideal for professionals unable to take extended sabbaticals   

Eligibility Criteria

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive professional experience, indicating a clear trajectory of advancing responsibility and impact within relevant roles.
• A leadership track record in professional, public, or personal realms.
• Interest in leadership education and development or a related field.
• International experience, language skills, and a commitment to the Asia Pacific region's future.

Deadline

Applications must be submitted by November 15, 2026 (at 11:00 PM Hawai‘i Standard Time).   

Financial Information/Provisions 

The ALP will cover the following expenses:

• Accommodation in an EWC residential hall up to US $2,181
• Monthly stipend of up to US $1,000/month for some living expenses
• US J-1 visa sponsorship and SEVIS reimbursement upon arrival in Hawai‘i for non-US citizens
• Travel health insurance during program
• Proprietary course materials (for required program events and activities, staff, guest speakers, workshops. This cost does not cover living and travel expenses.

The ALP does not cover the following expenses and are the responsibility of the participant.

• Travel expenses to/from the East-West Center in Hawai‘i
• Living expenses in Hawai‘i outside of what is outlined above.
• US visa application fee (MVR), any additional visa fees or visa-related requirements.
• Accommodation and/or health insurance outside of the program dates.

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.

The East-West Center prohibits discrimination of any kind, including sex-based discrimination and harassment, 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/