The 2026 Emerging Leaders Fellowship by the Council of Korean Americans is a premier, 10-week leadership incubator designed for the next generation of Korean diaspora changemakers.
The landscape of how we work and lead is shifting rapidly. CKA is dedicated to ensuring our next generation of leaders is prepared to navigate these changes and thrive. In 2026, selected participants will engage in robust hybrid programming from June to August. This includes weekly virtual sessions to hone leadership, critical thinking, and public speaking skills, two immersive in-person field trips to New York City and Washington, D.C., and 1:1 mentorship from distinguished Korean American leaders. This fellowship is designed to challenge participants’ perspectives on service, identity, and what it means to lead with impact.
Who We Are Looking For
We are seeking passionate individuals from the Korean diaspora who are ready to grow and lead. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
Academic Standing
At least a rising college junior, recent graduate, or current graduate student.
Professional Commitment
A confirmed full–time summer internship with a public service orientation (e.g., nonprofit, government, think tank, or community advocacy).
Program Dedication
Commitment to attending all weekly sessions and two mandatory travel weekends.
Personal Growth
A deep commitment to both professional and personal development.
Background & Status
Of Korean diaspora descent; U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, or individuals with a valid work permit are eligible.
Location
Fellowship participants should ideally be located on the East Coast to facilitate travel to NYC and Washington, D.C.
2026 Program Calendar
The Fellowship is a hybrid commitment requiring both structured group sessions and self-directed growth.
Virtual Sessions
60 – 90 minute sessions on Fridays
June 5, 12, 19, 26
July 17, 24
Immersive Field Trips
New York City July 10 – 12 (Arrival by evening of July 9)
Washington, D.C. August 7 – 9 (Arrival by evening of August 6)
1:1 Mentorship
Participants will schedule regular check-ins with their assigned mentors to discuss career goals and leadership challenges.
Peer to Peer Sessions
Participants will be paired to meet other participants 1:1 to discuss and reflect on assigned readings and build deeper communal bonds.
Fellowship Benefits
CKA is committed to investing in our Fellows. The program covers:
Travel Lodging, local transportation, and all meals during the two in-person field trips.
Educational Materials All program and curriculum materials required for the fellowship.
Network Access A lifetime connection to the CKA network of leaders and alumni.
Meet Our Speakers & Mentors
2026 Fellowship Application Cycle
The selection process for the Emerging Leaders Fellowship is highly competitive. We are looking for candidates who are not only academically and professionally driven but are also deeply committed to the Korean American community.
Application Open
March 24, 2026
Application Deadline
April 24, 2026 (11:59 PM ET)
Review & Interviews
Late April to early May 2026
Candidate Notification
Mid – May 2026
Participants Confirmation
Mid – May to End of May 2026
2026 Fellowship Team
June 1 – August 10, 2026
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application here.
Please be prepared to provide proof of your confirmed summer internship and a brief personal statement on your leadership goals.
Questions?
Please reach out to our Director of Programming, Monica Kang, at EmergingLeaders@councilka.org.
FAQ
Internships & Eligibility
Securing a summer internship is the responsibility of the applicant. However, if you have made a good-faith effort and are awaiting a final decision, please apply and indicate your status. CKA may be able to offer guidance to shortlisted candidates, but a confirmed public service internship is required to begin the Fellowship.
While the fellowship is designed with an East Coast focus, we recognize that leadership talent exists nationwide. Please apply and share how you plan to manage travel to the East Coast for our mandatory in-person weekends.
- Travel Support: For the field trips, CKA will provide train transportation between Washington, D.C. and New York City.
- Note: While we cover lodging and meals during the trips, Fellows traveling from additional distances and need to travel via flight will be reviewed case by case.
We believe in-person experiences offer unique opportunities for community impact. However, we also recognize the value of modern work environments. If your internship is hybrid or remote, we will review your application on a case-by-case basis.
Don’t wait! Please submit your application and explain your timeline for hearing back. We are looking for candidates who show initiative and commitment; knowing your “Plan B” or alternative options is also helpful for our selection committee.
Yes. If your role aligns with the spirit of civic duty and public service, we want to hear from you. Please explain how your organization contributes to the community or public good. We review all internship types—including those at community organizations or research think tanks—on a case-by-case basis. Note: Typical corporate private-sector roles or partisan political campaigns generally fall outside our scope.
Since our virtual sessions are held on Fridays, they often fit well within a standard internship schedule. If you are selected and need help coordinating with your manager, CKA is happy to provide an official letter of support or speak with your supervisor to emphasize the professional development value this program adds to your summer.
Background Information
We welcome applications from U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents. Individuals with valid work permits (such as DACA or OPT) are also eligible to participate.
This program is specifically designed to empower the Korean diaspora. We invite all applicants who have a sincere interest in the Korean American community and a desire to explore how their identity informs their leadership and service.
Program Logistics
There is no fee to participate. CKA is proud to invest in our Fellows by covering:
- Accommodations: Lodging during the NYC and DC trips.
- Meals: All food and beverages during the in-person field trips.
- Transit: Local transportation within the cities and train travel between DC and New York.
- Materials: All books and educational resources.
We generally look for internships that are:
- Service-Oriented: Focused on the public good.
- Substantial: Typically lasting at least eight weeks.
- Engaged: While we prefer offices based in the DC or NYC areas, we are open to discussing your specific situation.
To get the most out of our immersive field trips, we require fellows to arrive at the destination by Thursday evening. Programming runs all day Friday and Saturday.
For the July 10–12 (DC) and August 7–9 (NYC) weekends, you will need to request professional leave for Friday, July 10 and Friday, August 7. We recommend discussing this with your supervisor early; most civic-sector internships view this fellowship as valuable professional development.
Bonus Opportunity: Fellows are also invited to attend TEDxLogan Circle on August 11, 2026, in Washington, D.C. While CKA provides the ticket and networking access, this is an optional addition. Travel and lodging for this specific event are not covered, and we recommend coordinating any additional time off with your internship coordinator.
Any Other Questions?
If you have specific questions about your eligibility or the program structure, please contact our Director of Programming, Monica Kang, at EmergingLeaders@councilka.org. We are here to help you navigate the process!