WHAT DOES THE FELLOWSHIP OFFER?
APLF equips Fellows with the tools, insights, and networks to scale their impact in technology, governance, and society. Participants gain exposure to international perspectives, innovative policy approaches, and practical strategies that they can apply to their work, while also contributing their own experiences to a collaborative, cross-regional community of leaders.
The Fellowship nurtures confidence, ambition, and strategic thinking, helping Fellows tackle complex challenges and expand the scope of their influence. By connecting with role models and peers across sectors, geographies, and generations, participants develop the mindset and skills to drive meaningful change at a regional and international level.
Fellows’ ideas and achievements are amplified through Salzburg Global’s global platforms, including publications, newsletters, and social media channels, providing visibility and recognition that extend their influence and foster further opportunities for collaboration and leadership.
WHAT ARE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE FELLOWSHIP?
- On-Boarding Workshops (Two sessions, Online) - Two 90-minute online sessions will focus on co-designing the cohort’s goals and building connections between Fellows. Fellow surveys will gather additional information to complement these online conversations.
- Network Meetings (monthly/6-weekly, Online) - These knowledge development sessions will include presentations from an array of thought leaders from Asia, and the resulting discussions will focus on critical policy topics. Capacity development and skills-building sessions will support Fellows to reflect on their personal and professional leadership goals, encourage cultural intelligence and sensitivity, and stress inclusivity and participatory engagement. The topics of these meetings will be co-created with Fellows to assure maximum alignment with their interest areas and challenges and solutions from their respective countries.
- Mentoring Pairings (Online) - Following a needs analysis, Fellows will be matched with senior experts from the broader Salzburg Global network. This mentoring relationship will last for 9 months and be driven by the capacity- and professional development needs and goals of each Fellow.
- Public Policy Challenge Meeting (May 5-10, 2026, In-Person at Salzburg Global / Schloss Leopoldskron) – Each yearly cohort will focus on a Public Policy Challenge topic, relevant to current events in Asia, intended to guide Fellows toward ideas for strategies, initiatives, approaches, and partnerships that address the Challenge. At this in-person convening in Salzburg, Fellows will apply learnings from the virtual network meetings to identify potential solutions to the Public Policy Challenge. Through a series of engaging workshops, thought-provoking panel discussions, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, Fellows will gain valuable insights, knowledge, and skills to navigate the intricacies of a career in public policy. The in-person meeting will facilitate mentorship, peer learning, and collaboration, creating a supportive community that encourages the exchange of ideas and experiences.
- Continued Support and Networking - Fellows will be able to continue relationships and deepen collaborations through follow-up online meetings specifically for their fellowship cohort as well as through on-going access to networking and peer support through Salzburg Global’s online networking platform, Mobilize. The latter also helps connect Fellows to the wider Salzburg Global Fellowship, a community that welcomes the 40,000+ individuals who have joined Salzburg Global programs in the past.
WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT NEEDED TO JOIN THE FELLOWSHIP?
- The Fellowship will begin in March 2026 with two online on-boarding workshops of 90 minutes each.
- The virtual network meetings will take place approximately every six weeks between April and December 2026, with each session lasting around 90 minutes. These sessions will include presentations, discussions, and skills-building exercises on public policy topics relevant to the Asia region.
- Fellows will be matched with a mentor from the Salzburg Global and APLF networks. Fellows should plan to meet virtually with their mentor for about one hour at least four times over the course of the 9-month mentoring relationship, with flexibility to schedule additional sessions as needed.
- We recommend that Fellows spend roughly two hours per month on self-directed activities, including pre-readings, reflection and journaling, writing or blogging, engaging with peers, and participating in relevant conferences, workshops, or events.
- For the in-person convening, Fellows should plan to attend a six-day program (May 5–10, 2026) in Salzburg, Austria, plus travel time. Salzburg Global can provide an official letter outlining this time commitment for universities or employers. Please note that virtual participation in the in-person program is not possible.
WHAT ELSE IS OFFERED?
APLF Fellows become lifetime members of the Salzburg Global Fellowship, which in 77 years numbers more than 40,000 Fellows from over 170 countries.
Salzburg Global will also create opportunities for APLF Fellows to participate in other areas of our programming and to build cross-sectoral connections with thought leaders from other program areas. This includes our own Public Policy New Voices Europe fellowship which is now in its fourth year with 120+ alumni in the European policy landscape.
There may also be opportunities for members of the Fellowship to co-create contributions to international workshops and conferences with our partners; to raise awareness of their work through speaking, writing articles, and producing/curating social media content for Salzburg Global; and to gain professional experience through internships and paid employment by working with us as contractors / consultants.
IS THERE A COST TO APPLY OR PARTICIPATE IN THE FELLOWSHIP?
Thanks to the generous support of our partners, there is no cost to apply to or participate in the APLF Fellowship. All costs associated with room and board for the in-person convening in Salzburg will be covered by us – at Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron. Limited funding support may be available for costs associated with travel to the in-person sessions (and conferences, if applicable) of the Fellowship.
We are looking for emerging leaders and early-to-mid-career professionals who are currently living/working/studying in one of the following key jurisdictions- Japan, Hong Kong SAR, India, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan, and those who have already driven meaningful impact in technology, governance, or society.
We regret that we are unable to consider applicants from outside of the countries listed in the application information above.
