- Fully funded study tourFunding type
- Mid-career journalistsWho it is for
- ~10 to 14 fellowships per yearAwards
- Journalism (Asia-Pacific affairs)Focus
- 5+ years experience requiredEligibility
- Round-trip airfare ~included (est.)Travel
At a glance
full
Funding
—
Max amount
Jun 12, 2027
Deadline
United States
Country
East-West Center
Provider
The Jefferson Fellowships are a fully funded professional-development program for experienced journalists, administered by the East-West Center in Honolulu, United States, with study-tour locations across the Asia-Pacific region. The fellowship gives working journalists deep exposure to the security and economic dynamics shaping East Asia through a structured program of meetings, briefings, cultural activities, and networking. Each year around 10 to 14 fellowships are awarded, with 8 to 10 reserved for journalists from eligible Asia-Pacific countries and 2 to 4 for qualified American journalists. Full coverage includes round-trip airfare between the home country and study-tour locations, accommodation in all program cities, meals during program activities plus a per diem for additional meals, ground transportation and airport transfers, cultural and networking activities, interpretation services as needed, and a customised itinerary with an experienced program guide. The program is supported by a consortium including the Freeman Foundation, the Mary Morgan Hewett Fund, and the East-West Center, and fellows or their news organisations may also contribute to costs. Applicants must work in print, broadcast, or online news in the US or an eligible Asia-Pacific country/territory, have at least 5 years of professional journalism experience, and be proficient in English. Eligible nationalities span more than 40 countries and territories across the Asia-Pacific and the United States. Because the exact award count, cost-sharing terms, and closing dates change each cycle, confirm the current 2026/2027 figures and deadlines on the official East-West Center Jefferson Fellowships page before you apply.
What's covered
- Round-trip airfare — Round-trip economy airfare between the fellow's home country and the study-tour locations, a benefit typically worth well over ~1,000 USD (est.) per fellow.
- Accommodation — Accommodation in all program cities for the full duration of the study tour.
- Meals and per diem — Meals during program activities plus a per diem allowance for additional meals taken independently.
- Local transport and transfers — Ground transportation between program sites and airport transfers throughout the fellowship.
- Program activities and support — Cultural activities, networking, interpretation services as needed, speaker and partner-organisation costs, meeting-room rentals, a customised itinerary, and an experienced program guide.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online through the East-West Center for the current Jefferson Fellowships cycle, accompanied by a letter of interest, a CV, and references.
- Complete the online application form — Fill in the official online application form for the current Jefferson Fellowships program on the East-West Center site.
- Write your letter of interest — Prepare a letter of interest of up to 3 pages covering your role and experience, the issues you plan to explore, story ideas, how the theme fits your audience, and a proposed paper and presentation topic.
- Prepare your CV and employer support — Submit a resume or CV of up to 2 pages and, if you are employed rather than freelance, an Employer Statement of Support confirming your organisation endorses your participation.
- Arrange two recommendation letters — Provide contact details for 2 professional references who can write letters of recommendation on your behalf.
- Submit before the deadline — Ensure all documents are submitted by the closing date, around 12 June 2026, 3:00 PM Pacific Time (est.).
Eligibility
ProfessionWorking journalists at print publications, broadcast news organisations, or online news platforms.
LocationBased in the United States or an eligible Asia-Pacific country or territory.
ExperienceA minimum of 5 years of professional journalism experience is required.
LanguageProficiency in English for effective communication in a professional setting is required.
RelevanceApplications that clearly link the program theme to the applicant's area of coverage receive stronger consideration.
Eligible nationalities span more than 40 countries and territories across the Asia-Pacific, including Pacific Island nations such as Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Fellows are encouraged to produce content during and after the program, including articles, blog entries, or social media posts sharing their insights.
Eligible countries
United States, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and other eligible Asia-Pacific countries and territories
Deadlines
2026 program cycle~12 June 2026 (est.)
Selection
Applications are evaluated on professional experience (a minimum of 5 years), the clarity and relevance of the letter of interest, the quality of proposed story ideas and the paper-and-presentation topic, and how the program theme connects to the applicant's coverage and audience. Around 10 to 14 fellows are selected each year, split between Asia-Pacific and American journalists. Confirm the current selection criteria for the 2026/2027 cycle on the official East-West Center Jefferson Fellowships page before applying.
Verified sources
- East-West Center — Official Websiteeastwestcenter.orgofficial
- East-West Center — Jefferson Fellowshipseastwestcenter.orgofficial
About the provider
The East-West Center is an education and research organisation established by the United States Congress in 1960 and based in Honolulu, Hawaii. It promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific, and administers the Jefferson Fellowships for mid-career journalists covering the Asia-Pacific region.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the Jefferson Fellowships?
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Working journalists at print, broadcast, or online news organisations in the United States or an eligible Asia-Pacific country, with at least 5 years of professional experience and proficiency in English.
How many fellowships are awarded each year?
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Around 10 to 14 fellowships are awarded annually, with 8 to 10 reserved for Asia-Pacific journalists and 2 to 4 for qualified American journalists.
What does the fellowship cover?
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It is fully funded, covering round-trip airfare, accommodation in all program cities, meals plus a per diem, ground transport, cultural and networking activities, interpretation, and a program guide.
What is the focus of the program?
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The fellowship gives experienced journalists deep exposure to the security and economic dynamics shaping East Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
How much journalism experience do I need?
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Applicants must have a minimum of 5 years of professional journalism experience in print, broadcast, or online news.
Which countries are eligible?
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More than 40 countries and territories across the Asia-Pacific are eligible, along with the United States; examples include Australia, China, India, Japan, the Philippines, and many Pacific Island nations.
Who funds the Jefferson Fellowships?
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The program is supported by a consortium including the Freeman Foundation, the Mary Morgan Hewett Fund, and the East-West Center, and fellows or their organisations may also contribute to costs.
What documents do I need to submit?
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An online application form, a letter of interest (up to 3 pages), a CV (up to 2 pages), an Employer Statement of Support if employed, and two letters of recommendation.
Do freelancers need an employer statement?
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No. The Employer Statement of Support is only required for journalists who are employed by a news organisation rather than working as freelancers.
Are fellows expected to produce content?
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Yes. Fellows are encouraged to actively produce content during and after the program, such as articles, blog entries, or social media posts sharing their insights.
Who administers the Jefferson Fellowships?
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The fellowships are administered by the East-West Center, an education and research organisation based in Honolulu, United States.
Where can I confirm the current figures and deadlines?
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Always confirm the current 2026/2027 award count, cost-sharing terms, and exact closing date on the official East-West Center Jefferson Fellowships page before applying.