WSD-Handa Fellowship

Fellowships Program

WSD-Handa Fellowship

Through the generosity of the Worldwide Support for Development and Dr. Handa Haruhisa, Pacific Forum has established the WSD-Handa Fellowship Program in 2011.

The program offers resident and non-resident fellowships, in addition to hosting a number of in-person and virtual gatherings designed to enhance emerging leaders’ understanding of complex regional issues and facilitate their meaningful engagement with established policymakers, global leaders, and their peers. By providing promising next-generation voices with expert mentorship and professional development opportunities, Pacific Forum’s WSD-Handa Fellowship Program actively contributes to WSD’s enduring mission of cultivating informed leaders dedicated to cooperation, innovation, and the active pursuit of a more peaceful and prosperous world. The program’s activities are guided by the WSD-Handa Chair in Peace Studies at Pacific Forum.

The resident and non-resident fellowships both provide young scholars and up-and-coming professionals with a vehicle for delving deeper into the political issues, economic trends, and security challenges that define the geopolitical dynamics of East Asia with a particular focus on Japan. Resident and non-resident fellows join the Pacific Forum team for six months or one year, respectively.

While all are welcome to apply, special consideration is given to young professionals from Southeast Asia and to those in Europe and the US whose previous academic or professional experience has focused on East Asian security issues. WSD-Handa Fellows should already have some knowledge of East Asian security and economic developments and should use this fellowship as an opportunity to take a more in-depth look into these issues and offer solutions for improvement.

Eligibility and How to Apply:

Applicants may be of North American, European, or Southeast Asian nationality. Priority will be given to those from lesser-developed Southeast Asian nations, including Burma, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, or Vietnam.
Have completed their undergraduate education and
Have several years of experience in Indo-Pacific security issues or
Has completed or is completing their graduate education (master’s or doctoral)
Proficient in English (verbal and written skills).
For non-U.S. citizens, applicants must possess or be eligible for an extended stay visa.

To apply for the Handa Fellowship, please complete the Non-resident WSD-Handa Fellowship online application form and include all materials listed below. All materials must be written in English. Any statement in your application that is found to be false will be grounds for disqualification.

A cover letter detailing interests and why the WSD-Handa Fellowship will contribute to the applicant’s professional development
Curriculum Vitae
A letter of recommendation
A description of a research project to undertake as a WSD-Handa Fellow (not to exceed 1,500 words)

Current Resident Fellow:

Jamie Lee

Jamie Lee graduated with a Master’s in Political Science from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She is currently a WSD-Handa Research Fellow at Pacific Forum. Her research interests are Japanese affairs, regional security, and democratization. She previously interned at the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS), where she pursued an original research project and contributed to multiple publications sponsored by the Center. She is actively involved in dialogues relating to U.S. foreign policy and is passionate about establishing a career where she can play an active role in upholding a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.