Please note: The Luce Scholarships will not be awarded for the 2022-2023 Academic Year.
Luce Scholarships provide stipends, language training and individualized professional placements in Asia for up to 18 individuals each year who have had limited exposure to Asia (i.e. those who have not majored in Asian studies and who have spent less than an accumulated total of 18 weeks in one or more Luce Scholars placement countries in Asia since graduating from high school. Luce Scholars gain new perspectives on their host countries through placements arranged on the basis of their professional interests, backgrounds and qualifications.
Candidates must demonstrate an outstanding capacity for leadership, have a record of high achievement, and have mature and clearly defined career interests with evidence of potential for professional accomplishments. Personal qualities such as flexibility, adaptability, creativity, humility, openness to new ideas and sensitivity to cultural differences are as important as academic achievement.
Luce Scholars receive a monthly stipend sufficient to meet their normal living expenses in Asia, with awards varying by their placement.
Eligibility
The Luce Scholars Program is open to:
- U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Graduating seniors, recent graduates and young professionals under the age of 30. By June 20th of the year they enter the program, candidates must have received at least a bachelor’s degree and will not have reached their 30th birthday.
- Candidates with limited exposure to Asia, i.e. those who have not majored in Asian studies and who have spent less than an accumulated total of 18 weeks in one or more Luce Scholars placement countries in Asia since graduating from high school.
The intent of the program is to provide an immersion experience in Asia for an outstanding group of young Americans who would not otherwise have the opportunity to come to know Asia intimately. Candidates however may have taken Asian language or Asia-focused courses (without majoring in Asian Studies).
University nomination
Columbia University may nominate up to three candidates each year. Students and alumni/ae of Columbia College, Columbia Engineering, the School of General Studies, as well as Columbia graduate and professional schools, are eligible. Candidates may not apply directly for this fellowship without first having been nominated by Columbia.
In order to be considered for nomination by Columbia to the national Luce competition, complete and submit the Columbia brief questionnaire (available by clicking 'Start Your Application Above') in addition to the official Luce online application by the internal deadline provided. Letters of recommendation should be submitted directly through the online application form by the internal deadline stated as well.