Next Generation Programs

We invest in our future by training the next generation of Asia specialists through our fellowship and internship programs.

Chinese Language Fellowship Program

The Chinese Language Fellowship Program seeks to train a new generation of scholars who possess deep understanding of China’s contemporary politics, society, and modern history, as well as fluency in Chinese language. Funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the CLFP provides fellowships of up to $50,000 to American graduate students whose work focuses on China policy issues to spend a year taking part in intensive Chinese language training at an institution of the fellow’s choice, generally in China or Taiwan. Learn more.

Ellings-Korduba Research Fellowship Program

Established in 2021 to honor NBR’s long-time president Richard Ellings and his wife Marta Korduba, the Ellings-Korduba Research Fellowship Program (EKFP) provides support for American graduate and advanced undergraduate students whose degrees focus on issues of strategic importance to the United States in Asia. The program enables students to spend a summer as junior fellows in residence at NBR’s Seattle office and participate in a summer seminar series featuring high-level speakers from NBR’s network of experts. Learn more.

Japan Studies Research Fellowship Program

NBR has established the Japan Studies Research Fellowship to cultivate a new generation of U.S.-Japan specialists and leaders and to build stronger bridges between the United States and Japan. This is an intensive, three-month research and professional development program designed for current undergraduate, community college, and graduate students who are interested in or focus on Japan studies, U.S.-Japan relations, and/or Japanese foreign policy. Learn more.

Gorton Leaders Program

The Gorton Leaders Program is a six-month professional development program that aims to enhance students’ ability to make a significant, positive impact in their respective fields of study. The program is open to advanced undergraduate and masters’ degree students attending universities in the Seattle area. Each class of GLP fellows takes part in a series of expert speaker discussions and guided reading centered on issues that Senator Slade Gorton focused on during his work with NBR: democracy in China, national security, and IP protection and digital trade. Learn more.

Undergraduate Diversity Fellowship Program

The Undergraduate Diversity Fellowship Program aims to extend educational, professional, and mentorship opportunities to Black and brown students who are interested in pursuing a career in the field of international affairs. Fellows work primarily with one of the existing program teams at NBR and gain experience in project management, research, writing, and editing in order to build skills for future careers in policy. They also assist with project activities, publications support, database administration, event planning, and general office support. Learn more.

Summer Learning Series

The Summer Learning Series aims to support the growth of NBR’s interns, fellows, and early career staff by bolstering existing networks and skills, as well as discussion about academic and career development. Attendees of the series are given the opportunity to engage with NBR’s more experienced staff and alumni to support the development of their careers in the policy community. Current openings will be listed on our Careers page.

Henry M. Jackson Internship Program

Since 1989, NBR has been training and educating America’s future Asia specialists through practical work experience on projects seeking to inform U.S. policy toward Asia. Interns work in NBR’s Seattle or Washington, D.C., offices on research projects and institutional initiatives, providing a mix of research, editorial, and administrative assistance. Through the generous support of The Henry M. Jackson Foundation, NBR’s internship program was established and continues to recruit the highest caliber students who have gone on to pursue careers in the public, private, nonprofit, and academic sectors with a keen sense of how scholarship should inform policy—Senator Jackson’s legacy.

NBR offers full- and part-time internships for undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent postgraduates. A can-do attitude, outstanding judgment, excellent research and writing skills, and knowledge of contemporary Asian affairs are required.

Current openings will be listed on our Careers page.

Fellowship Program

NBR on occasion hosts full- and part-time resident, non-resident, and visiting fellows. Fellows may come from the academic, business, or public policy sectors to conduct policy-relevant, independent research on contemporary issues affecting U.S.-Asia relations, and by invitation may occasionally contribute to NBR projects. NBR’s Fellowship Program aims to promote scholarly exchange and steep participants in NBR’s mission to bridge the gap between academic research and policy work. Contact [email protected] for more information.


Video Testimonials

See videos from participants in our Next Generation programs: Next Generation Program Testimonials.


Support NBR’s Next Generation Programs

Please consider supporting the next generation of Asia specialists with a donation to these programs.

Give online or download our pledge form.