Posted: August 1, 2024

Luce Scholars Program 2025-2026 | Deadline: October 30, 2024

Goal: Provides emerging U.S. leaders with a unique immersive experience in Asia, particularly for those who have had limited exposure to the region. The program aims to foster leadership, intercultural competence, and personal development.

Citizenship: Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Age:
- Generally, candidates must be under 32 years old.
- Those over 32 can apply if they received their bachelor’s degree within the last three years.
Experience in Asia:
- Not eligible: Candidates who have spent significant time (18 weeks or more) in more than one of the Luce placement countries since starting college.
- Eligible but restricted: Candidates who have spent 18 weeks or more in only one of the Luce placement countries can apply but won’t be placed in that specific country.

Application Components:
1. Written Application (biographical and educational information)
2. Three Short Answer Questions (250-word limit for each)
3. Personal Statement (1,000-word maximum)
4. Two Letters of Recommendation (from academic or professional references)
5. Academic Transcripts (from all colleges and graduate work)
6. 1-2 Minute Video: A brief video introducing yourself in response to a prompt
7. Optional: Supplemental materials upload
Note: Applications can be saved and revisited during the process, but once submitted, they cannot be edited. No late submissions will be accepted (this includes transcripts and recommendation letters).

Initial Review: Applications are reviewed by program staff and reader teams to select 45-50 semi-finalists.
Semi-Finalist Interviews (Mid-November 2024): Semi-finalists participate in two virtual interviews with Luce Scholars alumni to determine 34 finalists.
Finalist Weekend (January 2025): 34 finalists attend an in-person event in San Diego, CA, including workshops, programming, and interviews (all expenses covered). Attendance is required for all finalists.
Announcement: The new cohort of Luce Scholars is publicly announced in early February 2025.

Leadership: Demonstrated leadership potential is key.
Intercultural Competence: Ability to navigate and appreciate different cultures.
Personal Qualities: Traits such as resilience, flexibility, adaptability, maturity, humility, and openness to new ideas are essential.
Professional Achievement: Reviewers also consider the potential for future success and contributions in a chosen field.
Experiential Learning Focus: While academic accomplishments are important, the Luce Scholars Program focuses more on real-world experience, rather than classroom achievements.