With the Gen A Alumni Travel Grant, Asia Society Switzerland with the support of IMP AG continues its commitment to foster the Asia Competence of the next generation. The Travel Grant allows a selected graduate from the Gen A – Young Leadership Program to deepen their knowledge of Asia-related issues and do research on the ground for a project that is crucial for their professional and personal journey, and that will inform their future as a global decision-maker in Switzerland.

The Gen A Alumni Travel Grant offers a fixed sum of CHF 10'000 for a selected Fellow to spend a longer time (6-12 weeks) in Asia and on a research project of their choice. This can be an internship with a local company, an art-related project, or something else completely. The Travel Grant encourages the Gen A Fellows to think and act entrepreneurially and venture into new things – out of their comfort zone. For the 2024 edition, we endorse applications to travel to emerging economies in Asia and discourage applications to travel to the previous destination – South Korea.

The project outline should state how the research will benefit from in-person meetings and being on the ground, have a clear timeline, and state what the expected impact of the project will be, and to whom. The trip should deepen the Asia Competence of the selected Fellow, and the gained insights be relevant to Swiss audiences. 

Application for the Gen A Alumni Travel Grant is open to the Gen A Alumni Community only. Applicants must have successfully graduated from the Gen A Young Leadership Program.

About Gen A and the Gen A Alumni Community

The Gen A – Young Leadership Program is a learning and leadership development platform for advanced students and young professionals. The year-long, cost-free program enables the next generation to engage with Asia at eye level and builds a community of young Asia-curious people in Switzerland. Since the launch of Gen A in 2020, over 80 Fellows have graduated from the program. Asia Society Switzerland is proud of this diverse and highly skilled community and is continuing to engage and support it.

Application Process:

Applicants must have successfully graduated from the Gen A Young Leadership Program (not open to the current cohort).

Fellows can apply by submitting a dossier entailing the following elements:

• Curriculum Vitae 
• Short abstract of the project
• Project plan, including topic outline, timeline, and budget (more below)

Applications for the Gen A Alumni Travel Grant are open until June 16, 2024. Please upload your application dossier here. The selected Fellow will be notified by end of June, 2024, at the latest.

Requirements:

The selected Fellow is expected to:

• Present their project prior to departure to Asia Society Switzerland staff and board members as well as IMP AG. 
• Share regular status updates on LinkedIn while they are on the ground. 
• Produce a short final report on their stay no later than 2 months after their time in Asia ended.

Planning and organization of the trip is entirely the responsibility of the Fellow. However, Asia Society Switzerland can provide support and introductions where needed.

Travel expenses to and from Asia should not exceed CHF 2500. Depending on the location, exceptions can be made.

After the Gen A Alumni Travel Grant is awarded, the Fellow is required to start their trip within the next 9 months. Earliest start date: July 2024. Latest start date: March 2025.

The Fellow is required to have subscribed travel insurance for the trip before departure.

Project Plan

The project plan should be max. 2 pages long. It should:

• Give a clear overview over the details of the field research. The outline should state how the project will benefit from on-the-ground access and in-person meetings. 
• It should state how the project will raise the Asia Competence of the Travel Grant recipient and what the expected impact of the project will be – and who will be impacted by it. 
• Contain a clear timeline, listing ideal travel dates, estimated publication dates for updates and other milestones and challenges. Asia Society Switzerland might be able to support with some of them.
• A detailed budget for the duration of the stay, as well as information on other funding sources of the project (if they exist).

Patron

Asia Society Switzerland is grateful to Investment Management Professionals (IMP AG) for supporting our cause in raising Asia Competence in Switzerland and through its contribution to the Gen A Alumni Travel Grant.