Luce Scholars Program

Summary

UPDATE from Luce on July 22, 2021: The Luce Scholars Program will not be recruiting a cohort for the 2022–23 year. We apologize for any inconvenience but expect to launch a revised admissions process and resume the competition next summer in 2022. 

The Luce Scholars Program is a nationally competitive fellowship program launched by the Henry Luce Foundation in 1974. The program is unique among American-Asian exchanges in that it is intended for young leaders who have had limited experience of Asia and who might not otherwise have an opportunity in the normal course of their careers to come to know Asia. The program provides stipends, language training, and individualized professional placement in Asia for 15-18 Luce Scholars each year, and welcomes applications from college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals (under the age of 30) in a variety of fields who have had limited exposure to Asia. Note: Those who already have significant experience in Asia or Asian studies are not eligible for the Luce Scholars Program.

Selection Criteria: Successful Candidates have a record of high achievement, outstanding leadership ability, and clearly defined interests with evidence of potential for professional accomplishments.

Campus Nomination Process

Overview: The full application is due by the campus deadline of October 3 and must be submitted online through the Luce application portal. Selected candidates will be invited to complete an interview with the campus committee. Please note: You will be able to edit your essays after your campus interview and before the national deadline.

Application Format: The application is completed online through the Luce application portal.

Deadlines and Timeline:

• Early October: Campus Application Deadline. By the campus deadline the application and all required components need to be complete in Luce's online application portal.
• Mid-October: Campus Interviews Take Place
• Late October: Campus finalists will have a short window to edit applications after the campus interviews before submitting their applications in time to meet Luce's national deadline.

Nominations: William & Mary can nominate up to three applicants for the Luce Scholarship.

National Application Process

The national deadline is typically in early November. All students must meet the campus deadline in order to be eligible for endorsement by the national deadline. Learn more about the Luce Scholar program including eligibility criteria, the selection process, and information about past winners of the award.