Are you an experienced professional who wants to move into leadership training and development, or grow your work in it? The East-West Center (EWC) in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, is accepting applications for its Advanced Leadership Program (ALP) 2027, a two-month fellowship from 1 June to 31 July 2027 for a small cohort of three to four established professionals. Fellows get housing, a monthly stipend, visa sponsorship and health insurance. Applications close on 15 November 2026.
Programme at a Glance
- Organiser: East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawai‘i, USA
- Dates: 1 June to 31 July 2027 (two months, in person)
- Cohort: 3–4 fellows
- For: Professionals with about 10–15 years of experience
- Funding: Housing (up to US$2,181), a stipend of up to US$1,000 a month, J-1 visa sponsorship and health insurance
- Not covered: Return flights to Hawai‘i and the US visa application fee
- Deadline: 15 November 2026, 11:00 pm Hawai‘i time (9:00 am GMT on 16 November)
About the Advanced Leadership Program
The East-West Center is a US-based institution that promotes understanding and cooperation between the United States, Asia and the Pacific. Its Asia Pacific Leadership Program has trained leaders from many countries for years.
The Advanced Leadership Program is a short, senior-level fellowship. Fellows help design and run sessions in the Asia Pacific Leadership Program, and also have time for their own research, reflection and career planning. It’s designed for people who can’t take a long sabbatical but want a focused break to develop their leadership practice.
Each fellow writes a Professional Development Plan setting out learning goals, activities and expected outcomes, and the Leadership Program team supports them in working towards it.
Benefits
- Accommodation in an EWC residential hall (up to US$2,181)
- Monthly stipend of up to US$1,000 towards living costs
- US J-1 visa sponsorship and reimbursement of the SEVIS fee on arrival, for non-US citizens
- Travel health insurance during the programme
- Course materials for programme events and workshops
- Hands-on experience co-designing and facilitating leadership sessions
- Time for your own research and professional exploration
- Peer coaching with fellow ALP participants
- Networking with EWC research fellows, visiting scholars, practitioners and students
What You Pay For Yourself
- Return flights to and from Hawai‘i
- Living expenses beyond the stipend
- The US visa application fee (MRV) and any other visa costs
- Accommodation and insurance outside the programme dates
Flights from Africa to Hawai‘i can be expensive, so plan how you’ll cover them, for example through your employer or a travel grant, before you apply.
Eligibility
- At least 10 years of progressive professional experience, showing growing responsibility and impact
- A track record of leadership at work, in public life or in your community
- An interest in leadership education and development, or a related field
- International experience, language skills, and a commitment to the future of the Asia-Pacific region
Can Africans apply? The call doesn’t restrict nationality, and it offers visa sponsorship to non-US citizens. Because the programme focuses on the Asia-Pacific region, your application will be stronger if you can show real links to it, such as work with Asian or Pacific partners, Africa–Asia trade or development, or experience living or studying there.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Write a focused Professional Development Plan. Name two or three concrete learning goals and what you’ll do in Hawai‘i to reach them.
- Show you can teach as well as learn. Fellows help deliver sessions, so highlight experience in training, facilitation, coaching or mentoring.
- Make the Asia-Pacific link clear. Explain how your work connects to the region and how the fellowship will strengthen that.
- Plan your travel funding early. Mention any employer or other support for flights if you have it.
- Check before submitting. You can’t freely edit your application after you submit it, so review it carefully first.
How to Apply
- Read the full programme details on the East-West Center’s application page.
- Create a free account on the East-West Center’s Submittable portal.
- Complete the application in English, including your referee details. You can save a draft and come back to it.
- Submit by 11:00 pm Hawai‘i Standard Time on 15 November 2026.
For questions, email the Leadership Program team at [email protected].
Apply for the East-West Center Advanced Leadership Program 2027
