Abroad Award
Term Length: 13 Months
US Citizenship Required

The Luce Scholars Program provides an in-depth experience in Asia to emerging leaders 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.
• The program welcomes diverse candidates, including seniors, recent graduates, or young professionals under 32. For those older than 32, candidates who have received their bachelor’s degree within the past three years are also considered.
• Candidates who have spent a significant amount of time (18 weeks or more since beginning college) in more than one of the countries where Luce Scholars are placed are not eligible to apply for the Luce.
• Candidates who have spent 18 weeks or more since beginning college in only one of the countries where  Luce Scholars are placed are eligible to apply but will not be placed where they have spent significant time.  

The most important consideration is that a candidate demonstrates potential for leadership and accomplishment. Reviewers look for evidence that a candidate will be a leader both within his or her profession and as a member of the broader community. Initiative, creativity, maturity, humility, sensitivity, and strength of character are characteristics that typify successful candidates.

Successful candidates will have demonstrated significant leadership ability, intercultural competence, and evidence of potential for professional achievement. Reviewers will consider academic accomplishments; however, the Luce Scholars Program is experiential, focusing on learning through real-world experience rather than traditional classroom settings. Personal qualities such as resilience, flexibility, adaptability, maturity, humility, creativity, openness to new ideas, and sensitivity to cultural differences are as important as academic performance. 

Reviewers do not judge candidates based on whether or not they have developed specific plans for their year in Asia. They understand that you may have general ideas about the preferred placement, and assure you that this is neither a negative nor positive factor in selection. Your openness to possibilities and readiness to embrace new experiences are what Reviewers value, respecting your individual preferences and aspirations.

Luce Scholars are selected through a rigorous process over three rounds of evaluation:  

1. In the first round, applications are reviewed and evaluated by distinguished teams of readers and program staff to determine a group of 45-50 semi-finalists.
2. Candidates selected as semi-finalists engage in two virtual interviews with two experienced Luce Scholars in early to mid-November. The insights from these interviews will help determine a pool of 34 finalists.
3. The 34 finalists to a weekend of interactive programs, leadership workshops, and finalist interviews. It is a competitive process, a learning experience, and a time of growth for all finalists, even those not selected as Luce Scholars. Scholars are announced immediately after our finalist weekend.

The Luce Scholar Year is a thirteen-month commitment beginning with the orientation in mid-June through the wrap-up meeting in late-July of the following year.

After a week-long orientation designed to build community and prepare for a year of living and working in Asia, Luce Scholars spend July and August engaging in intensive language training in their respective placement countries. Language study is a program requirement and is funded by the Luce Foundation.

Individually tailored professional placements—a hallmark of the Luce Scholars program—begin in early September and are arranged for each Scholar based on their professional interest, background, and qualifications. These assignments, where Luce Scholars work alongside Asian colleagues, are the heart of the Luce Scholars experience.

In addition to the professional placement, the Luce Scholars cohort is an essential part of the Luce Year. Individuals share their experiences with their fellow Luce Scholars through regular group meetings and bonds of mutual learning, understanding, and support as they face shared challenges and serendipities.

The cohort convenes mid-fellowship in January for a five-day retreat to reflect, recharge, reevaluate, and bond as a group. At the end of the Luce Year, the cohort gathers once more for the wrap-up meeting. This meeting is an opportunity for Scholars to share their experiences with one another and reflect on their time as Luce Scholars.

Contact URF@Northeastern.edu for more information.

Candidates must first complete an eligibility questionnaire at the beginning of their application. If eligible, they will be prompted to complete the application which includes the following:

• Written Application – This includes biographical and educational information.
• Three Short Answer Questions – 250 word max for each question.
• A Personal Statement – The 1,000 word max personal statement is particularly important as it allows you to share your unique perspectives and aspirations.
• Request forms for Two Letters of Recommendation (LORs) – You will complete a form for each recommender. LORs can be from academic or professional references who know you well and can speak to your skills, abilities, and potential. Once you submit a form, an email is sent to the recommender. The recommenders must upload the letters separately and sign them on official letterhead whenever possible. 
• Academic Transcripts – You will need to upload transcripts of all your college and graduate work as well. 
• A 1-2 Minute Video – Candidates record and upload a 1–2 minute video based on the provided prompt. The video allows program administrators to get to know the candidate beyond the page.
• Supplemental Materials Upload (optional)

The application deadline is October 1st at 5:00 pm ET. Late applications—including transcripts and letters of recommendation—will NOT be accepted. You do not have to complete your application in one sitting; you can save your work at any point as frequently as necessary. Once you submit your application, you will no longer have access to it, so be sure to print a copy for your records prior to submitting.