Luce Scholars Program
If you are planning to apply for the Luce Scholars Program, please get in touch with the SAGA program chair, Anne Lapour, to let her know your plans.
Priority Campus Deadline: August 28, 2026
Final Campus Deadline:September 8, 2026
The Luce Scholars Program Home Page
The Luce Experience
Read about Life on The Luce, review which Placement opportunities to consider (with Placement FAQs!), and access links to Virtual Information Sessions.
Eligibility
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.
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Applicants may be graduating seniors, recent graduates, or young professionals under the age of 33 at the time they depart for Asia who have earned at least a bachelor’s degree before the start of the Program.
- Applicants who have spent a total of six consecutive months or more than one cumulative year within the past five years in only one of the countries where we place Luce Scholars may still apply; however, they will not be placed in the country where they have spent significant time.
- Those with a total of six consecutive months or more than one cumulative year within the past five years in more than one Luce placement country within the past five years are not eligible.
Application Timeline
- April 2026 - The online application portal opens in April each year and remains open through September 8.
- September 2026 - All application materials must be submitted by September 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern.
- Early November 2026 - Semifinalists are invited for virtual interviews with a Luce Scholars alumnus.
- Early December 2026 - Finalists are notified of their status and invited to Finalist Weekend.
- January 2027 - Finalist Weekend: From Wednesday, January 27 to Saturday, January 30, 24-28 finalists will attend programming, workshops, and interviews at an in-person selection in San Diego, California. Attendance at Finalist Weekend is required for all applicants selected as finalists. The program will cover all expenses associated with the selection process (travel to Finalist Weekend, lodging, food, etc.).
- Early February 2027 - Cohort of Luce Scholars is publicly announced.
Application Requirements
If you are interested in applying for the Luce Scholars Program, please review the eligibility questionnaire to ensure that you meet the basic requirements before starting the application process. If you are eligible, you will be prompted to complete the application, which includes a set of required tasks and, if you choose, 1 optional task:
- Personal & Background Information
- Academic Information
- Professional Information
- Personal Statement – The 500-word max personal statement is particularly important as it allows you to share your unique perspectives and aspirations.
- Five Short Answer Questions - of varying length.
- 1–2 Minute Video – Applicants 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.
- Signature – As an electronic acknowledgment of your application submission.
- Request a Professional Letter of Recommendation
- Request a second Letter of Recommendation – this may be a second professional letter or an academic letter. (Exactly two letters of recommendation are required: one must be professional; the second may be either professional or academic. Two academic letters will not be accepted.)
- Optional Supplemental Materials Upload – A space to submit any additional materials you wish to share.
Note: Academic transcripts are no longer required as part of the application.
Frequently Asked Questions
To review FAQs about The Luce Scholars Program Eligibility, Application, & Selection, please visit the Selection webpage.
Any Questions?
Reach out to lucescholars@hluce.org for more information.