The Asia Pacific Leadership Program (APLP), established in 2000, is a premier leadership development program focused on the Indo-Pacific region. APLP brings together mid-career professionals from across the region to develop strategic leadership skills for complex times by examining the forces shaping the region today, exploring the types of leadership needed to address these challenges, and building personal, team, and community capacity. 

For 25 years the APLP has cultivated leaders who have gone on to positions of influence in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. Graduates join a dynamic network of more than 700 leaders from 45 countries, engaged in advancing the region’s most pressing priorities.

    For more information, please visit our website and FAQ section. To contact us, please email aplp@EastWestCenter.org.

2026 Program Information
      Program runs: June 1-September 2, 2026

• Pre-residency Virtual Connection: June 1-23
• Residency in Hawai`i: June 24-July 31*
• Post-residency Virtual Connection: August 1-September 2

*includes a field study within the Hawaiian Islands

      Program Costs (USD): $11,678

• Program Fee: $8,500
• Housing in East-West Center living quarters: $1,278 (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. 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 15, 2025 @ 11:00 PM Hawai`i Standard Time (HST). Letters of Reference will be accepted until November 20, 2025.

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 Advanced Leadership Program (ALP) at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawai'i, provides a unique opportunity for established professionals aiming to broaden their focus on leadership education and development. The program creates a collaborative environment for a small team of up to four individuals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. 

ALP participants engage in a co-designed program that blends structured activities with independent work, research, and professional exploration. The East-West Center's campus becomes their focal point, featuring involvement in activities alongside the EWC’s Leadership Program. Moreover, participants can attend seminars, fostering connections with a wider network of professionals, research fellows, and students. To this end, you shall develop a Professional Development Plan that details the scope of your involvement and interaction in the program and expected outcomes. Participants will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with program staff to co-develop and co-deliver sessions, discussions, and curriculum for the Asia Pacific Leadership Program (APLP).This collaboration allows participants to contribute their expertise, creativity, and leadership to the design and facilitation of learning experiences while gaining hands-on experience in program development and delivery. Each participant’s Plan should include specific outcomes that reflect how participants intend to apply their skills and learning to enhance program content and support peer learning experiences. The development of and your adherence to this Plan will be monitored by the Leadership Program Senior Manager.

Tailored for individuals with 10-15 years of professional experience who are transitioning or expanding their careers to focus on leadership education and development within any sector, eligible candidates should exhibit a track record in leadership, a passion for personal and professional reflection, and a commitment to the Asia Pacific region's future prosperity and sustainability.

Program Information
June 8-August 1, 2026
 

Key Components

• Collaborate with the Leadership Program team to co-design and deliver sessions within EWC leadership programs.
• 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 December 1, 2025 (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 $1,856
• 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/