Luce Scholars Program

Luce Scholars Program. The Luce Scholars Program is a prestigious, year-long fellowship designed to provide immersive professional and cultural experiences in Asia for young Americans who have had limited prior exposure to the region. Established in 1974 by the Henry Luce Foundation in honor of its namesake, the publisher and founder of *Time*, Henry Luce, the program aims to foster a deeper understanding of Asia among future leaders in the United States. Each year, it selects 18 to 20 scholars from a highly competitive pool of candidates nominated by over 70 participating colleges and universities.

History and establishment

The program was conceived and launched by Henry Luce III, the son of Henry Luce, as a living memorial to his father’s lifelong interest in bridging the United States and Asia. The initiative was formally announced in 1974, with the first cohort of scholars embarking on their placements in 1975. The creation of the program reflected a strategic vision by the Henry Luce Foundation to address a perceived gap in American awareness of Asia during a period of significant geopolitical and economic transformation in the region, following events like the Vietnam War and the reopening of relations with the People's Republic of China. The founding director, Maya Lin, helped shape its early structure, emphasizing experiential learning over traditional academic study.

Program structure and selection process

The program is not a traditional academic grant but a professional internship. Candidates must be nominated by one of the program’s partner institutions, which include a wide array of colleges and universities such as Stanford University, Harvard University, and the University of Chicago. The rigorous selection process involves initial screening by campus committees, followed by regional interviews and finalist interviews conducted in New York City by a national selection committee comprising leaders from academia, business, and government. Selected scholars undergo a brief orientation in the United States and an intensive language and cultural training program in an Asian country, often in cities like Tokyo or Singapore, before beginning their individualized placements.

Participant experience and placements

Scholars are placed in professional internships across East Asia and Southeast Asia, in countries including Japan, China, South Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand. Placements are tailored to each scholar’s background and interests but are deliberately outside their direct professional expertise, aiming to foster adaptability and new perspectives. A scholar with a background in environmental science might work with an NGO in Bangkok, while someone from the Juilliard School could be placed with a traditional music ensemble in Seoul. The Henry Luce Foundation and its in-country coordinators, often based at institutions like the University of Hong Kong, facilitate these matches with host organizations ranging from Mitsubishi and the Asian Development Bank to local media outlets and archaeological digs.

Impact and notable alumni

The program has cultivated a network of over 1,800 alumni who have assumed significant leadership roles across diverse sectors. Its impact is evident in the careers of prominent figures such as former U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos, acclaimed writer Katherine Boo, and former president of Swarthmore College Rebecca Chopp. Other distinguished alumni include National Security Council official Matthew Pottinger, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Sheryl WuDunn, and filmmaker Mira Nair. The alumni network, active through associations and events often held in hubs like Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, continues to promote the program’s founding mission of enhancing American engagement with Asia.

Administration and funding

The program is fully funded and administered by the Henry Luce Foundation, headquartered in New York City. Oversight is provided by a program director and a board that includes foundation trustees and external advisors. Funding covers all costs for scholars, including international airfare, a living stipend, housing, and language training. The foundation maintains partnerships with coordinating agencies across Asia, such as the Japan Society and the China Medical Board, to manage the on-the-ground logistics and support for scholars throughout their fellowship year.

Category:Scholarships in the United States Category:Fellowships Category:Henry Luce Foundation