Luce Scholarships

Location:
Multiple Locations
Term: Academic Year

Provide funding, language training, and professional placements in Asia for one year

Visit the Program Website

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. 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.

the Luce Scholars program will hold an informational webinar series throughout summer 2025. Register in advance by clicking the link to the webinar(s) you plan to attend:

Eligibility

The intent of the program is to provide an in-depth experience in Asia to young Americans who would not otherwise have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the country where they are placed.

  • Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents;
  • Candidates may be graduating seniors, recent graduates, or young professionals under the age of 32 or, no more than three years out from receiving bachelor’s degree;
  • Candidates who have majored in Asian Studies are eligible to apply;
  • Candidates who have spent 18 weeks or more (since beginning college) in one of the countries where we place Luce Scholars are eligible to apply however to be placed in a country where they do not have significant experience.
  • Candidates must first complete an eligibility questionnaire within the Luce application portal. If eligible, candidates will then be prompted to complete the official application.

University nomination

No Columbia University nomination is required for this program. Columbia University rising seniors and alumni/ae of Columbia College, Columbia Engineering, the School of General Studies, as well as Columbia graduate and professional schools, are eligible to apply directly to this program. Check the Luce Scholars website for details. You should also arrange for your letters of recommendation to be submitted by your recommenders directly to this program no later than the deadline provided.

While the Luce Foundation does not require Columbia's nomination, URF advisors are happy to provide advising, support, and application assistance. Please feel free to schedule an appointment with an advisor to discuss further.

Fact Sheet

Advisers:
Jodi Zaffino, Ariella Lang
Discipline:
Arts and Architecture, Foreign Language Learning, Humanities, Social Sciences, STEM
Eligibility:
Columbia Alumna/us, Columbia College, Columbia Engineering, Columbia General Studies, Columbia Graduate Students, Senior, U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident
Fellowship Type:
Experiential
Location:
Multiple Locations
Region:
Asia and the Pacific
Term:
Academic Year

Dates & Deadlines

Academic Year
2026
Application Deadline: 
Monday, September 15, 2025
Notes: 
All application materials must be submitted by 5:00 pm ET. Late applications—including transcripts and letters of recommendation—will NOT be accepted.