Program guide

How to apply to Luce Scholars Program

Year-long leadership fellowship in Asia for young Americans, combining language training, cultural immersion and a professional placement matched to each scholar's interests.

Official page Listing details

Step by step

Check that you are eligibleThe published rules: Open to students, working professionals; US citizens or permanent residents, at least 18 with a bachelor's degree and under 33 at departure; apply directly online.
Gather the materialsYou will need: Personal statement / SOP, Recommendation letters (drafts for your referees), Academic CV, Transcript.
Write the answersBuild the statement around one plan for the fellowship period and the evidence that you will carry it out.
Submit on the official pageApply through the official page (Own portal), and keep the confirmation.
Follow upNote when results are due. If the organiser invites questions, ask once, briefly, after the date has passed.

Timeline

42 days before the deadlineAsk referees and order documentsAsk your referees, and order transcripts or score reports; these depend on other people's timelines.
28 days before the deadlineDraft the statementDraft the statement around one clear plan, with evidence from your record.
10 days before the deadlineReview and remindReview against the selection criteria; gently remind referees of the date.
2 days before the deadlineSubmit and keep the confirmationSubmit early and check that every reference shows as received.

At a glance

Organizer: Henry Luce Foundation
Timing: Cycle: Annual; the portal opens each April and closes 8 September (2026 deadline passed).
Where: United States
What you get: professional placement in Asia · language training
Cost: Free to apply and take part
Applied through: Own portal
Account: You need an account on the application system

Who can apply

Open to students, working professionals
US citizens or permanent residents, at least 18 with a bachelor's degree and under 33 at departure; apply directly online.

Materials checklist

Personal statement / SOPOnward Scout drafts it from your sourced profile; you approve every line.
Recommendation letters (drafts for your referees)Upload yours, or let Onward Scout draft one from your profile for you to edit.
Academic CVUpload yours, or let Onward Scout draft one from your profile for you to edit.
TranscriptOnly you can supply it: upload it once and it is attached wherever it is asked for.

Questions you will meet, answered honestly

What will you do during the fellowship?

A specific plan with milestones, tied to what the fellowship provides.

What is your long-term goal?

Honest and specific. It's fine if it is still forming, as long as the next step is clear.

What reviewers of fellowships look for

Build the statement around one plan for the fellowship period and the evidence that you will carry it out.
Ask referees early and send them your statement and the selection criteria, so their letters address the same points.
Check the eligibility window (years since degree, nationality, field) before investing time.

The full playbook for fellowships

How Onward Scout helps

This one is submitted on the organiser's own site, behind your login. Onward Scout prepares every answer and file in the form's order with one-tap copy, so submitting takes minutes; you mark it submitted when you're done.

Let Onward Scout apply for me

Let Onward Scout prepare your Luce Scholars Program application

Get your personal statement, tailored résumé and notes for your referees for this programme, drafted from your own documents in about two minutes. Free to start, no account needed. Every answer is drafted from your own documents with sources, and nothing is submitted without your tap.

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