Indo-Pacific Futures Fellowship Program 2025-2026: As the world faces interconnected challenges such as resource scarcity, environmental instability, and economic uncertainty, there is a growing need for innovative leadership. The Indo-Pacific Futures Fellowship (IPFF) offers an exciting opportunity for emerging leaders to engage with these global issues, particularly those surrounding food security, energy systems, and sustainable leadership. Sponsored by the East-West Center and the Doris Duke Foundation, this fellowship aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders who can tackle pressing global issues with creativity, collaboration, and forward-thinking approaches.
About the Program
The Indo-Pacific Futures Fellowship is a year-long program designed to foster leadership in addressing the critical intersections between food security, energy systems, and sustainability. This fellowship is centered around exploring the vital connections between these sectors and understanding how leadership can strengthen systems that ensure equitable access to resources while balancing economic growth and long-term sustainability.
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The program delves into leadership strategies that can enhance food and energy security, promoting innovative solutions for a more resilient future. Through immersive experiences, storytelling, and perspective-building, fellows will engage in rich discussions that foster collaboration, creative problem-solving, and the sharing of ideas. The fellowship aims to unite diverse voices, helping shape a future where food and energy systems are reliable, sustainable, and inclusive.
What to Expect from the Indo-Pacific Fellowship
The Indo-Pacific Futures Fellowship is designed to offer a dynamic and engaging learning experience. Participants will experience a blend of in-person and virtual sessions throughout the program, designed to expand leadership capacities and foster cross-cultural collaboration.
- In-Person Residencies: Fellows will travel to two key locations in the Indo-Pacific region: Honolulu, Hawai‘i, and Wellington, New Zealand. These residencies will take place in October-November 2025 and May 2026. During these in-person sessions, fellows will engage with local experts, community leaders, and organizations, exploring the specific challenges and solutions related to food and energy security in the region.
- Virtual Sessions: Between the in-person residencies, fellows will participate in regular virtual sessions from November 2025 to May 2026. These online meetings will allow fellows to continue their learning, expand their knowledge, and collaborate with other fellows and experts.
- Capstone Project: The fellowship culminates in a capstone project, where fellows will apply their knowledge and insights to implement real-world solutions within their own communities. This project is a key element of the program and allows fellows to drive tangible change based on the skills and connections they’ve developed throughout the fellowship.
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Who Can Apply? | Indo-Pacific Futures Fellowship Program 2025
The Indo-Pacific Futures Fellowship is designed for individuals with professional leadership experience who are passionate about food and energy systems, as well as sustainability. Participants will come from a variety of sectors, including government, advocacy, business, media, technology, and the arts. The program welcomes individuals who are dedicated to addressing global challenges and are eager to collaborate with others to create a more sustainable future.
Indo-Pacific Futures Fellowship (IPFF) Program 2025-2026 Eligibility Criteria
The fellowship is open to individuals who meet the following criteria:
- Professional Experience: Applicants must have 5 to 10 years of professional leadership experience in food and energy systems or related sectors, including advocacy work. This experience could be in roles such as elected officials, government representatives, community leaders, industry experts, or social entrepreneurs.
- Indo-Pacific Focus: Candidates should have past experience or current work that involves the Indo-Pacific region. This could include projects, initiatives, or professional engagements that focus on food security, energy systems, or sustainability in this region.
- English Proficiency: Since the program is conducted in English, applicants must have a fluent level of English. While not mandatory, applicants are encouraged to submit English language test scores (such as IELTS, TOEFL, or TOEIC) if available.
- Travel Commitment: Fellows must be able to fully commit to the travel requirements of the program. This includes two weeks of travel in October and November 2025 for the Hawai‘i residency, one week in May 2026 for the New Zealand residency, and regular virtual sessions in between.
- Passport: Applicants must have a valid passport that will remain valid until the end of 2026.
Desirable Qualifications for Indo-Pacific Fellowship Program
While not required, the following qualifications would be advantageous for applicants:
- A minimum of 3 years of higher education or equivalent professional experience.
- A strong commitment to supporting initiatives that address the needs of communities impacted by global challenges.
- The ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
- A willingness to step outside of one’s professional comfort zone, learn new approaches, and grow personally and professionally.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively engage in writing and public speaking assignments.
Financial Support and Provisions
The Indo-Pacific Futures Fellowship provides comprehensive financial support to its fellows, ensuring that participants can fully engage in the program without the burden of financial concerns. This support includes:
- Round-trip airfare to and from the program locations (Hawai‘i and New Zealand).
- Program fees, materials, and accommodation.
- Travel insurance, meals, and some visa-related costs (if applicable).
This financial support ensures that fellows can focus on the learning experience and the impact they hope to create without worrying about the logistics of travel or living expenses.
How to Apply
The application deadline for the Indo-Pacific Futures Fellowship is April 18, 2025, at 11:00 PM Hawai‘i Standard Time. Applicants will need to submit an application form, along with one letter of reference (two are preferred). The reference letters should come from professional contacts who are familiar with the applicant’s work and leadership abilities.
The fellowship does not accept reference letters directly from applicants, and all reference letters must be submitted by April 27, 2025, at 11:59 PM Hawai‘i Standard Time.
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Conclusion
The Indo-Pacific Futures Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for passionate leaders to explore the connections between food security, energy systems, and sustainable leadership. Through a combination of in-person residencies, virtual learning, and collaborative activities, fellows will gain the skills, knowledge, and networks necessary to drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
If you are ready to step up as a leader in addressing global challenges, the Indo-Pacific Futures Fellowship might be the ideal program for you.