Launched in 1967, the Jefferson Fellowships is the East-West Center’s most widely-recognized and established seminar program, with an illustrious alumni network of more than 729 Jefferson Fellows across 34 countries in the Asia Pacific and the United States. The broad goal of the program is to enhance public understanding through the news media of cultures, issues and trends in the Asia Pacific region. Participation in the Jefferson Fellowships provides working journalists with an opportunity to learn and report from cities across the Asia Pacific on key issues and developments taking place, sharing with audiences first-hand perspectives and new insights. The program provides a unique combination of study-dialogue at the East-West Center with an educational study trip taken with colleagues from countries across the region.

The program is made possible through a generous grant from The Freeman Foundation and supplemented by contributions from news organizations, foundations, US Embassies, and the East-West Center.

Eligibility

The Jefferson Fellowships are open to working print, broadcast, and online journalists in the United States and the Asia Pacific defined as: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Vietnam.

A minimum five years of professional experience is required. Applicants must have the ability to communicate in English in a professional, multi-cultural environment. Preference will be given to journalists who clearly articulate the relevance of the theme to their areas of coverage and how they intend to use the knowledge gained to enhance the perspectives of viewers, readers, and listeners. Journalists are strongly encourage to generate media content during and after the program in the form of formal print and broadcast stories, blogs, tweets, Instagram and other social media communications.

Launched in 1967, the Jefferson Fellowships is the East-West Center’s most widely-recognized and established seminar program, with an illustrious alumni network of more than 729 Jefferson Fellows across 34 countries in the Asia Pacific and the United States. The broad goal of the program is to enhance public understanding through the news media of cultures, issues and trends in the Asia Pacific region. Participation in the Jefferson Fellowships provides working journalists with an opportunity to learn and report from cities across the Asia Pacific on key issues and developments taking place, sharing with audiences first-hand perspectives and new insights. The program provides a unique combination of study-dialogue at the East-West Center with an educational study trip taken with colleagues from countries across the region.

The program is made possible through a generous grant from The Freeman Foundation and supplemented by contributions from news organizations, foundations, US Embassies, and the East-West Center.

Eligibility

The Jefferson Fellowships are open to working print, broadcast, and online journalists in the United States and the Asia Pacific defined as: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Vietnam.

A minimum five years of professional experience is required. Applicants must have the ability to communicate in English in a professional, multi-cultural environment. Preference will be given to journalists who clearly articulate the relevance of the theme to their areas of coverage and how they intend to use the knowledge gained to enhance the perspectives of viewers, readers, and listeners. Journalists are strongly encourage to generate media content during and after the program in the form of formal print and broadcast stories, blogs, tweets, Instagram and other social media communications.

2023 Jefferson Fellowships

Inequality in the US and Asia: Drivers, Consequences, and Policy Responses

2019 Jefferson Fellowships

Migration Policy & Public Sentiment

2018 Jefferson Fellowships

Populism, Identity, and the State of Democracy in Southeast Asia