Princeton in Asia (PiA) Fellowships 2027-28

Princeton in Asia (PiA) Fellowships emphasize cultural immersion and contributing to host communities. PiA select Fellows who are committed to furthering the PiA mission of fostering mutual appreciation and cross-cultural understanding between the United States and Asia.

PiA Fellow values include:

• Transformation. PiA Fellows are open to being transformed by their work and their relationships with the people with whom they interact abroad.
• Immersion. PiA Fellows strive to be citizens of the communities in which they live and work, becoming fully immersed in the life of their host organization and communities.
• Relationship building. PiA Fellows build meaningful and long-lasting relationships with their peers, community members, and each other.
• Humility. PiA Fellows dedicate themselves to professional service in the organizations where they work and the communities where they live, and approach their daily interactions with respect and understanding.
• Mutuality and interdependence. PiA Fellows are both learning from the communities in which they work and teaching people in those communities about what life is like in the United States, fostering cross-cultural understanding and mutual understanding and respect.
• Contributing to the community. PiA Fellows endeavor to contribute to their host communities and broader global community by making a lasting difference.

• Table of Content
• About Princeton in Asia (PiA)
• Princeton in Asia (PiA) Fellowships Fellowship
• Aim and Benefits of Princeton in Asia (PiA) Fellowships Fellowship
• Requirements for Princeton in Asia (PiA) Fellowships Fellowship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Princeton in Asia (PiA) Fellowships Fellowship
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

Princeton in Asia (PiA) Fellowships Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of Princeton in Asia (PiA) Fellowships Fellowship

PiA Fellows receive:

• Immersive, paid work opportunity at a host organization in Asia. PiA Fellows are employees of their host organizations, and not of PiA.
• Stipend from host organization. The stipend is intended to foster an immersive experience in the host community and is set to cover the cost of safe housing, food, telecommunications, and local travel.
• Reimbursement for visa and work permit fees in the United States.
• Health, safety, and welfare support including premium-free travel medical and emergency evacuation insurance, International SOS membership, mental health support, and pre-departure training and resources.
• Support from PiA Country Advisors. Each country in which PiA operates has one or more designated Country Advisors with significant experience and local knowledge of the host country. Country Advisors assist with enhancing cultural immersion sharing knowledge on local culture, behavior and norms.
• Connection to the PiA Alumni Network and mentor directory
• Preparation through virtual orientation, teacher training, and ongoing PiA programming
• Language grants (by application).

PiA Fellows are responsible for:

• Pre-departure vaccinations and associated costs.
• Acquiring the appropriate work permit or visa with guidance from host organizations.
• Round-trip airfare to host community.
• PiA is committed to ensuring finances are not a barrier to participation. PiA offers travel grants to defray the cost of travel, and some host organizations cover airfare.

Requirements for Princeton in Asia (PiA) Fellowships Fellowship Qualification

• The primary prerequisite for a PiA fellowship is a bachelor’s degree. Some positions may require additional work experience or credentials. We do accept candidates with master’s degrees, but not those with terminal or professional degrees (Ph.D, M.D., or J.D.). 
• PiA applicants are generally college seniors or recent college graduates. Graduates of any college or university are eligible to apply for a PiA fellowship. There is no age limit for applying to  PiA.
• While PiA does not restrict eligibility based on US citizenship or residency status, all candidates must present a compelling rationale for how they will contribute to PiA’s mission of United States-Asia exchange. Applicants who are not US citizens must have lived in the US for a year or more or graduated from a US-accredited institution. Please note that host countries’ visa restrictions may limit our ability to place citizens of certain nationalities.

Additional eligibility information:

• All applicants must have a valid passport by the time they accept a fellowship offer. For visa purposes, PiA Fellows need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after their fellowship end date. If you do not have a passport or your passport will expire soon, we encourage you to apply for or renew your passport now.
• All positions require professional proficiency in English. English teaching positions require native or near-native English-speaking ability.
• Asian language skills are welcome but not required for most fellowships. Applicants should refer to fellowship descriptions to identify specific language and skill requirements for each post. 
• Applicants are not required to have any level of TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) training or experience before applying to PiA. All candidates who receive placement in a teaching position will be asked to complete PiA’s teacher training course.
• There is no fee to apply to PiA.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Princeton in Asia (PiA) Fellowships Fellowship

Timeline for the 2027-28 Fellowship Cycle

APPLICATION STAGE

• September 1, 2026: Application opens.
• November 1, 2026: All application materials due online by 11:59 PM EST.
• December 21, 2026: Applicants are notified whether they have been selected to interview with PiA staff. To ensure you receive this email update, please add [email protected] to your address book and monitor your spam folder.

INTERVIEW STAGE

• January 2027: Virtual interviews with PiA staff.

NOMINATION STAGE

• Late February 2027: Notification of nominee status or invitation to join waitlist.
• Late February - March 2027: Nominees submit additional materials for evaluation by PiA host organizations.
• March - April 2027: Host organizations evaluate nominees and communicate their selection to PiA.

AWARD STAGE

PiA extends fellowship offers on a rolling basis beginning in late March until all positions are filled. Candidates must accept or decline the offer within four calendar days of receiving it. Please note that accepting a PiA fellowship is binding. Applicants who accept a PiA fellowship offer must confirm they have withdrawn from consideration for all other fellowships and job opportunities.

PRE-DEPARTURE STAGE

• April - August 2027: Fellows begin the process of obtaining visas in collaboration with host organizations.
• April - May 2027: Teaching Fellows complete a 120-hour Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) online certification course.
• Early June 2027: All Fellows attend a mandatory multi-day orientation held in person in Princeton, NJ. More information will be shared with candidates selected to interview with PiA.

DEPARTURE STAGE

• July - September 2027: Most fellowships begin in August. Depending on host organization needs, some fellowships may begin in July or September. All fellowships are contingent on receiving a visa and completing PiA’s pre-departure requirements.

QUESTIONS AND UPDATES

• Any questions regarding the 2027-28 fellowship cycle can be directed to [email protected].

Check also:
Mastercard Foundation Scholars' Program at ALCHE 2027
Global Korea Scholarship 2027

Application Deadline

How to Apply

• To access and submit your application, you will need to create an account through the Application Portal.
• For detailed instructions and guidance on the application process, please refer to the Application Guide.
• To learn about the fellowships we anticipate offering in the 2027-28 fellowship year, please refer to the Fellowship Descriptions.

For more details, visit PiA fellowships webpage