Asia Pacific Leadership Program
Asia Pacific Leadership Program supports mid-career professionals through experiential learning and a Hawai‘i residency to build leadership capacity for addressing complex Indo-Pacific challenges.
Funder: East-West Center
Due Dates: November 1, 2026, at 11:00 PM HST (Application) | November 8, 2026 (Reference letter)
Funding Amounts: Scholarships fully or partially cover the $8,500 program fee; total estimated costs are $11,753, excluding airfare and visa fees.
Summary: Supports mid-career professionals in developing leadership capacity to address complex Indo-Pacific challenges through experiential learning and a Hawai‘i residency.
Key Information: Fellows must attend an unaccompanied, full-time Hawai‘i residency, live in East-West Center housing, and refrain from outside employment.
Description
Established in 2000, the Asia Pacific Leadership Program (APLP) is an East-West Center leadership development program for mid-career professionals. It combines place-based, experiential, and peer-driven learning with a residential leadership laboratory in Hawai‘i. Fellows exchange perspectives across regions and professional fields, reflect on their leadership approaches, and build personal, team, and community capacity. Hawai‘i’s cultural, social, and environmental contexts are integral to the experience.
The 2027 program examines global and geoeconomic trends shaping economic security at national and local levels. Weekly themes explore connections among energy, food and agriculture, health systems, and the societal impacts of artificial intelligence. Additional topics may include supply chains, critical infrastructure, and digital systems, tailored to the cohort. Virtual sessions before and after residency build relationships and help fellows translate learning into action.
