Developing policy leadership among Australia’s ASEAN diaspora. A six-month national capacity-building program for mid-career policy professionals, running December 2026 to May 2027.
The ASEAN Emerging Thought Leaders Fellowship is a six-month program for emerging policy leaders of ASEAN backgrounds living in Australia. It provides training in thought leadership, cultural diversity, policy analysis, media literacy and advocacy, while building professional networks and equipping a new generation of Australian ASEAN diaspora members to strengthen connections between Australia and ASEAN member countries.
Australia’s Southeast Asian diaspora is a key national asset for deepening regional engagement, yet remains under-mobilised within policy and research circles. Many diaspora professionals have high Asia literacy and sectoral expertise but lack structured opportunities to connect their skills to national and regional policy development. This fellowship fosters the professional networks that advance Australia’s strategic relationship with ASEAN countries.
The program runs in Australia from December 2026 to May 2027 in a hybrid format, with most events held online and some held in person in Melbourne.
The ASEAN Emerging Thought Leaders Fellowship is proudly supported by the ASEAN-Australia Centre.
The fellowship is aimed at mid-career policy professionals from around Australia who are of ASEAN backgrounds. It is open to those with 8–20 years of experience in policymaking, including people working in government, the not-for-profit sector or academia.
Applications are welcome from anywhere in Australia. Most events are held online, with a three-day in-residence program in Melbourne. Travel and accommodation costs to Melbourne from other parts of Australia are covered.
An in-residence program in Melbourne, 1–3 December 2026, covering:
A series of online learning sessions and policy forums held between February and May 2027, from 5–7pm.
Participants complete a comparative policy essay in their area of interest across the duration of the program.
Every participant has a public engagement opportunity — speaking at an event, appearing on a podcast or webinar, or publishing an op-ed — confirmed in consultation with them.
Group mentoring is provided throughout the program.
All activities occur within Australia, with digital engagement linking participants to ASEAN counterparts.
Interviews will be held between 12 and 14 October 2026.
