Asia Policy Leadership Forum 2026 (APLF)

Deadline: 10 November 2025 Open to: Early-to-mid-career professionals from Asia working in policy, governance, technology or civil society Benefits: Participation in a year-long fellowship with in-person convening in Salzburg and access to a regional network of policy leaders

Description

The Asia Policy Leadership Forum (APLF) 2026, organised by Salzburg Global Seminar, offers a transformative year-long fellowship aimed at cultivating a new generation of policy leaders across Asia. The inaugural convening in Salzburg, Austria (5-10 May 2026), focuses on “Leadership in a Digital Age: Technology, Society, and Governance in Asia.” Through workshops, expert‐led sessions, and peer networks, participants will engage with themes such as data governance, digital public infrastructure, inclusive innovation, and the intersection of technology with society. The forum brings together 35-45 emerging leaders from jurisdictions including India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Hong Kong SAR.

Eligibility

Applicants must be early‐to‐mid‐career professionals (approximately 5-10 years’ experience) working in government, civil society, private sector, or academia in one of the eligible Asian jurisdictions. They must have demonstrated impact in areas connecting policy, governance, or technology, and be committed to scaling their work regionally and collaborating across sectors. The forum gives priority to individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in policy leadership.

Benefits

Selected fellows will gain full access to the in-person session at Schloss Leopoldskron in Salzburg, along with online onboarding workshops, mentoring pairs, peer networks, and ongoing engagement through Salzburg Global’s Fellowship community of over 40,000 alumni. All participation costs for the in-person convening (room and board) are covered; limited travel funding may be available

How to Apply

Applications are now open via the official APLF page of Salzburg Global Seminar. Interested candidates should complete the online application before 17:00 CET on 10 November 2025. The selection process will notify shortlisted applicants by December 2025, and the programme commences with virtual onboarding in early 2026, ahead of the in-person forum in May. For more information, visit the official website.

Applicants must be early‐to‐mid‐career professionals (approximately 5-10 years’ experience) working in government, civil society, private sector, or academia in one of the eligible Asian jurisdictions. They must have demonstrated impact in areas connecting policy, governance, or technology, and be committed to scaling their work regionally and collaborating across sectors. The forum gives priority to individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in policy leadership.

Selected fellows will gain full access to the in-person session at Schloss Leopoldskron in Salzburg, along with online onboarding workshops, mentoring pairs, peer networks, and ongoing engagement through Salzburg Global’s Fellowship community of over 40,000 alumni. All participation costs for the in-person convening (room and board) are covered; limited travel funding may be available

Applications are now open via the official APLF page of Salzburg Global Seminar. Interested candidates should complete the online application before 17:00 CET on 10 November 2025. The selection process will notify shortlisted applicants by December 2025, and the programme commences with virtual onboarding in early 2026, ahead of the in-person forum in May. For more information, visit the official website.