Princeton in Asia (PiA), a nonprofit based at Princeton University, places graduates in paid work fellowships with host organizations across Asia. Most posts last one year; a few are designated two-year roles.
The 2027-28 list covers teaching, arts and culture, economic development, environment, public health, sports, STEM and justice roles in 16 countries and territories, from Japan and China to Laos, Mongolia and Uzbekistan. Graduates of any university can apply.
Benefits & funding
- Fellows are employees of the host, paid a local stipend meant to cover safe housing, food, phone and local travel — not a money-making post
- Premium-free travel medical and evacuation insurance, International SOS and mental-health support
- Visa and work-permit fees reimbursed; language grants by application; travel grants offered
- Fellows pay round-trip airfare (some hosts cover it) and vaccinations, and obtain their own visa
- Mandatory in-person orientation in Princeton, NJ (early June); teaching fellows take a 120-hour online TEFL course
Eligibility
- Any nationality, but non-US citizens must have lived in the US for a year or more or graduated from a US-accredited institution; host-country visa rules may limit posts for some nationalities
- A bachelor’s degree by the fellowship start (college seniors may apply); master’s holders accepted; holders of a PhD, MD or JD are not eligible
- No age limit; posts are entry-level
- Professional English for every post; native or near-native English for English-teaching posts
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Bachelor
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Application process
- 1Apply online by 1 November 2026, 11:59 PM EST: two short essays, a 60-second video, résumé, unofficial transcript, and one recommendation form due the same day. No fee.
- 2Shortlisted applicants interview virtually with PiA staff in January 2027, in US Eastern hours.
- 3Nominees submit further materials to host organizations; offers roll out from late March and must be answered within four days.
- 4Accepting is binding — withdraw from all other applications. Contacting a host organization directly means disqualification.
Program timeline
Application and recommendation deadline (11:59 PM EST)
Nov 1, 2026
Interview invitations
Dec 21, 2026
Virtual interviews
2027-01
Rolling offers begin
2027-03 (late)
2027-08
Most fellowships start (some July or September)