Asia 21 Next Generation Fellows Nomination and Application Process
Established in 2006, the Asia 21 Next Generation Leaders Fellowship is the Asia-Pacific’s foremost young leaders’ network of diverse change-makers—under the age of 40—united by a shared commitment to making their communities and the world a better place. The Asia 21 network today is comprised of nearly 1,000 influential individuals from a wide variety of professions, representing over 40 countries and regions, who believe in values-based leadership and public service. Asia 21 provides a catalytic platform where young leaders form lasting relationships and enrich each other’s endeavors through mutual learning and effective collaborations. Many of the Asia 21 Next Generation Fellows are recognized as leading figures in politics, business, arts, media, and the non-profit sector.
Selected through a very competitive process, successful candidates for the new class would have demonstrated excellence in the field in which they are involved and committed to values-based leadership and public service.
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Criteria
To be eligible for the nomination and selection process of the Class of 2023, candidates must :
- Be born on or after 1 January 1983
- Be a proven leader in their field. Typically, this means at least 5-10 years of outstanding professional work experience and a clear indication of playing a substantial leadership role for the rest of his or her career
- Have a recognized record of extraordinary achievement and a proven track record of substantial leadership experience
- Have demonstrated a commitment to values-based leadership and public service
- Be fluent in spoken and written English
Timeline for Nomination, Application & Selection
- Nominations for the Class of 2023 will be open from February 1 - March 10, 2023
- Applications for those nominated will be accepted from March 20 - May 21, 2023
- Only selected applicants will be notified of their acceptance to the Class of 2023 by August 2023
* Please note that this timeline is subject to change
The Nomination Process and Selection Process
- Only members of Asia 21 and Asia Society's global network may nominate candidates. Self-nominations are not accepted.
- Once the nomination process is complete, the Asia Society will then reach out to the nominees, asking them to submit their applications within the application period.
- All applications will be reviewed by an in-house committee, which will narrow the list from hundreds down to 50-60 shortlisted candidates.
- The shortlisted candidates will then be reviewed by a separate selection committee, which will determine the final 40-45 candidates.
- The selected candidates will then be approved by an Honorary Selection Committee.
*Please note that ONLY successful candidates will be contacted regarding their selection to the Asia 21 Next Generation Fellowship due to the large number of applications we receive.
Frequently Asked Questions
General
What is Asia 21?
Established in 2006, the Asia 21 Next Generation Leaders Fellowship is the Asia-Pacific’s foremost young leaders’ network of diverse change-makers—under the age of 40—united by a shared commitment to making their communities and the world a better place. The Asia 21 network today is comprised of almost 1,000 influential individuals from a wide variety of professions, representing more than 40 countries and regions, who believe in values-based leadership and public service. Asia 21 provides a catalytic platform where young leaders form lasting relationships and enrich each other’s endeavors through mutual learning and effective collaborations. Many of the Asia 21 Next Generation Fellows are recognized as leading figures in politics, business, arts, media, and the non-profit sector.
Nomination Process
How do I nominate someone?
All members of the Asia 21 network may nominate candidates by visiting the nomination website and following the instructions.
How many people can I nominate?
As many as you want.
Do nominees have to be from my home country?
No. You may nominate anyone who meets eligibility requirements. (See “eligibility requirements” below)
I do not know who nominated me! Can you tell me?
We do not share this information. Nominators are welcome to inform their nominees about their nomination, but we respect their decision if they choose not to.
Application Process
Who should apply?
An individual who is recognized for his or her extraordinary achievement, with a proven track record of substantial leadership experience. The Asia 21 network includes leaders from throughout the Asia Pacific, representing diverse sectors including academia, arts & culture, business, civil society, government, law, media, public health, science & technology, and more. Successful candidates have demonstrated excellence in the field in which they are involved as well as a commitment to values-based leadership and public service. To view past classes of Asia 21 Young Leaders, click here.
Do I have to be nominated in order to apply?
Yes, and kindly note that self-nominations are NO longer accepted.
Are there any eligibility requirements I should be aware of?
Yes. In order to be eligible, a candidate must:
- Be 40 years old or younger at nomination;
- Be a proven leader in their field. Typically, this means at least 5-10 years of outstanding professional work experience and a clear indication of playing a substantial leadership role for the rest of his or her career;
- Has a recognized record of extraordinary achievement and a proven track record of substantial leadership experience;
- Has demonstrated a commitment to values-based leadership and public service; and
- Be fluent in spoken and written English
What materials will I need to submit when applying?
Our application is fairly straightforward. In addition to basic personal and contact information, we will ask you to submit the following:
- A brief personal bio;
- A ‘Statement of Interest’ explaining why you are interested in becoming a Young Leader, how would you benefit from this network, and how would the network benefit from your participation; and
- ONE letter of recommendation
Does my letter of recommendation have to come from the person who nominated me?
No. It can come from the nominator, but it does not have to.
Who should I ask for a letter of recommendation?
Successful candidates are leaders in their fields, so the best recommendations come from those who can vouch for this. Often this will mean that the recommender is a recognized leader in the same field.
May I submit more than one letter of recommendation as part of my application?
No. We will only review one letter of recommendation per candidate, so please choose your recommender carefully.
What is the deadline for letters of recommendation?
Letters of recommendation must be received before the application deadline. Letters of recommendation received after the application deadline will not be accepted. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that references receive the email soliciting a letter of recommendation and submitting their letters on time.
May recommenders write letters of recommendation in languages other than English?
Letters of recommendation must be written in English.
Is there a limit to the number of times I can apply for the initiative?
No, there is no limit. As long as you are nominated again, you may apply as many times as you wish. Please indicate the year of your previous application and the name of your nominator. This is a highly competitive initiative, and we have to turn down many qualified individuals each year, so applying again in the following years is encouraged!
Selection Process
How does the selection process work?
All applications will be reviewed by an in-house committee, which will narrow the list from hundreds to a final 50-60. These shortlisted candidates will then be reviewed by a separate selection committee, which will determine the final 40-45 candidates. The final 40 will then be approved by an Honorary Selection Committee.
Will you alert me if I am selected as a finalist, and if so, will I have to submit any additional documentation (aside from the application itself)?
We do not alert applicants of their status until the day the selection committee finalizes all decisions (see the timeline above for important dates). You will not be required to submit any additional documentation unless specifically requested by the Asia 21 team.
Does my nationality or area of work affect my chances of being chosen?
Applicants are chosen first and foremost on their merits, taking into account past accomplishments, current work, and capacity to collaborate on future projects. In selecting applicants, we look to uphold Asia 21’s tradition of geographic, sectoral, and gender diversity, which we consider to be key to the initiative's overall success.
How many leaders are chosen?
Typically, the incoming class comprises 40 individuals, chosen from among hundreds of applicants, though these numbers are subject to change.
Selected Awardees
What types of responsibilities are incumbent upon those chosen to become Asia 21 Next Generation Fellows?
Selection as an Asia 21 Next Generation Fellow is not simply a form of recognition for extraordinary work; it does come with significant responsibilities in the year following the selection of the new class. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider whether they can commit to the following responsibilities before applying, as their selection is contingent upon written acceptance of these commitments:
- Attend the Annual Summit;
- Participate in monthly teleconferences with your classmates in the time leading up to and following the Summit;
- Agree to write three blog posts on relevant topics to be published on the Asia 21 Young Leaders News Blog;
- Actively lead and engage in Asia 21 online activities and efforts to develop Asia 21 satellite programs in your home country; and
- Continue to actively engage with the network on joint projects for years to come.
How long is the commitment for those accepted into Asia 21?
There is a year-long commitment to engage with your class of Young Leaders actively, including undertaking the responsibilities listed. However, we fully expect that you will continue to remain engaged with the network and with your fellow Young Leaders for years to come.
Is funding available to cover travel to the annual Asia 21 Summit?
Asia Society covers travel expenses for the incoming class of Asia 21 Next Generation Fellows to attend the 2023 Asia 21 Next Generation Fellows Summit. However, we ask those who are able to cover their own travel expenses to do so. For those alumni most in need, we have a limited fund for travel grants subject to funding.