The Princeton in Asia Fellowship 2027–28 is now open for applications from qualified applicants interested in gaining professional work experience while living and working in Asia.
The program offers immersive, paid work placements with host organisations across Asia in areas including education, public health, environmental sustainability, STEM, arts and culture, economic development, sports, and peace, justice, and access to information.
Despite its name, applicants do not have to be Princeton University graduates. Graduates of colleges and universities can apply, provided they meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
For the 2027–28 cycle, applications opened on September 1, 2026, and all application materials must be submitted online by November 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.
Princeton in Asia Fellowship 2027–28 Overview
| Fellowship | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship name | Princeton in Asia Fellowship |
| Fellowship year | 2027–28 |
| Host region | Asia |
| Fellowship length | One or two years |
| Application status | Open |
| Application opens | September 1, 2026 |
| Application deadline | November 1, 2026 |
| Deadline time | 11:59 PM EST |
| Degree requirement | Bachelor’s degree |
| Age limit | None |
| Citizenship requirement | No specific U.S. citizenship requirement |
| Application fee | None |
| Work arrangement | Paid, immersive work placement |
| Airfare | Round-trip airfare provided |
| Visa/work permit | Guidance provided |
| Main areas | Education, STEM, public health, environment, arts, economic development and others |
What Is the Princeton in Asia Fellowship?
Princeton in Asia (PiA) provides immersive work fellowships with host organizations and communities across Asia. The program focuses on building mutual appreciation and cross-cultural understanding between the United States and Asia.
Fellows work directly with host organizations rather than simply participating in an academic exchange. Placements can involve teaching, communications, research, program support, administration, environmental work, public health, STEM and other professional responsibilities.
PiA is an independent nonprofit organization affiliated with Princeton University, but applicants do not need to have attended Princeton University.
The program has worked with hundreds of host organizations across Asia and has a large international alumni network.
What Does the Princeton in Asia Fellowship Offer?
The fellowship provides several forms of financial and professional support.
Paid Work Opportunity
PiA Fellows receive an immersive, paid work opportunity with a host organization in Asia. Fellows are employees of their host organizations rather than employees of Princeton in Asia.
Stipend
Host organizations provide fellows with a stipend as part of the fellowship placement.
Round-Trip Airfare
PiA provides round-trip airfare to the fellow’s host community. PiA also offers travel grants to help reduce travel costs, while some host organizations cover airfare directly.
Visa and Work Permit Support
Fellows receive guidance from PiA and the Managing Body regarding the appropriate visa or work permit required for their placement.
Professional Experience
The fellowship allows recent graduates and other qualified applicants to gain practical international work experience while working with the body in Asia.
Cross-Cultural Experience
A major part of the program is cultural immersion. Fellows live and work within their host communities while developing professional and intercultural skills.
Fellowship Areas
Princeton in Asia fellowships are not limited to English teaching.
The program offers opportunities across several areas, including:
- Arts and culture
- Economic development
- Education
- Environmental sustainability
- Public health
- Sports
- Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
- Peace, justice and access to information
Specific positions vary from one fellowship cycle to another.
Recent PiA fellowship positions have included university educators, communications fellows, program officers, English teachers, STEM teaching fellows, communications officers and program support fellows.
Applicants should review the official 2027–28 Fellowship Descriptions before applying because individual positions may have additional requirements.
Princeton in Asia Fellowship Eligibility
The primary requirement for a PiA fellowship is a bachelor’s degree.
Applicants can qualify if they have already completed a bachelor’s degree or will obtain one before the anticipated fellowship start date.
Academic Requirements
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree by the beginning of their fellowship.
PiA accepts applicants with master’s degrees, but applicants with terminal or professional degrees such as a PhD, MD or JD are not eligible.
Most fellowships are designed for college seniors and recent graduates, although some positions may require additional professional experience, specific skills or advanced qualifications.
University Requirement
You do not have to be a Princeton University graduate.
Graduates of colleges and universities can apply for PiA fellowships.
Age Requirement
There is no age limit for applying to Princeton in Asia.
Citizenship
PiA does not impose a general U.S. citizenship requirement.
Applicants of other nationalities may apply, but they must demonstrate how they can contribute to PiA’s mission of promoting mutual appreciation and cross-cultural understanding between the United States and Asia.
For non-U.S. citizens, PiA generally expects applicants to have either lived in the United States for at least one year or graduated from a U.S.-accredited institution.
Host-country visa requirements can also affect whether applicants of particular nationalities can be placed in certain locations.
English Language Requirement
All positions require professional proficiency in English.
English teaching positions require native or near-native English-speaking ability.
Applicants do not need to be native English speakers for every PiA fellowship.
Asian Language Skills
Asian language skills are welcome but are not required for most fellowship positions.
However, some specific positions may require language skills or previous experience in a particular Asian country. Applicants should carefully check the requirements of individual fellowship descriptions.
TEFL Requirement
Applicants do not need previous TEFL certification or teaching experience to apply.
Candidates selected for teaching positions will receive PiA teacher training and are required to complete the program’s teaching training course.
Passport Requirement
Applicants must have a valid passport by the time they accept a fellowship offer.
For visa purposes, PiA states that fellows need a passport valid for at least six months after the end of their fellowship.
Applicants whose passports are expired or close to expiration should begin the renewal process early.
Princeton in Asia Fellowship Application Process
The application and selection process has several stages.
1: Submit the Online Application
Applicants must create an account through the PiA application portal and submit all required materials online.
The application deadline for the 2027–28 cycle is:
November 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.
2: PiA Interview Selection
Applicants will be notified on December 21, 2026 about whether they have been selected to interview with PiA staff.
Being invited to an interview does not guarantee a fellowship placement.
3: Virtual Interviews
PiA plans to conduct virtual interviews with selected applicants in January 2027.
4: Nomination Stage
In late February 2027, applicants will be notified about nominee status or invited to join the waitlist.
From late February through March 2027, nominees submit additional materials for evaluation by potential host organizations.
5: Host Organisation Selection
Host organizations evaluate nominees and communicate their selections to PiA between March and April 2027.
Fellowship offers are then extended on a rolling basis beginning in late March until available positions are filled.
Step 6: Visa and Pre-Departure Preparation
Selected fellows work with PiA and host organizations to obtain the necessary visas and complete pre-departure requirements.
Visa preparation is expected to take place between April and August 2027.
Teaching Fellows also complete a 120-hour online TEFL certification course between April and May 2027.
7: Mandatory Orientation
All fellows must attend a mandatory multi-day orientation in Princeton, New Jersey, in early June 2027.
8: Fellowship Begins
Most fellowships begin in August 2027, although some positions may begin in July or September depending on the host organization’s requirements.
All placements are subject to visa approval and completion of PiA’s pre-departure requirements.
Official Application Links
Application Portal: https://princetoninasia.via-trm.com/program_brochure/37854
Princeton in Asia Fellowship Page: https://www.princetoninasia.org/fellowships
Application Process and Timeline: https://www.princetoninasia.org/fellowship-applications
Eligibility Requirements: https://www.princetoninasia.org/fellowship-eligibility
Important Application Rules
Applicants should follow PiA’s application instructions carefully.
One important rule is that applicants should not contact PiA host organizations directly.
PiA will introduce applicants to potential host organizations at the appropriate nomination stage. Applicants who bypass this process by contacting host organizations directly can be disqualified.
Applicants should also understand that accepting a PiA fellowship is binding. Candidates who accept an offer must withdraw from consideration for other fellowships and job opportunities.
FAQs
Do I need to be a Princeton graduate to apply for Princeton in Asia?
No. Princeton in Asia accepts applicants who graduated from colleges and universities generally. You do not have to be a Princeton University graduate.
Is the Princeton in Asia Fellowship fully funded?
The fellowship provides a paid work opportunity, a stipend from the host organization, round-trip airfare and assistance with obtaining the appropriate visa or work permit. PiA also provides travel grants to help defray travel costs.
Can international students apply for Princeton in Asia?
Yes. PiA does not restrict fellowship eligibility to U.S. citizens. However, non-U.S. citizens generally need to have lived in the United States for at least one year or graduated from a U.S.-accredited institution and must be able to contribute to PiA’s U.S.-Asia exchange mission. Host-country visa restrictions may also affect available placements.
Can I apply without a master’s degree?
Yes. A bachelor’s degree is the primary academic requirement. Most fellowships are aimed at college seniors and recent graduates.
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