US and Taiwan Launch Federal Employee Fellowship Program

The American Institute in Taiwan and Taiwan's representative to the United States, Alexander Yui, signed a memorandum of understanding on November 10, 2026, in Arlington, Virginia, to launch the Taiwan Fellowship Program. The initiative allows eligible U.S. federal government employees to undergo up to one year of intensive Mandarin language training and regional studies in Taiwan, followed by up to one year of work within Taiwanese government ministries, legislative offices, or non-public sector organizations.

Authorized by the Taiwan Fellowship Act signed into law by Joe Biden on December 23, 2022, the program's implementation was delayed by nearly three years. The fellowship mirrors the Mike Mansfield Fellowship established for Japan in 1994 and aims to strengthen bilateral strategic ties and increase the expertise of U.S. officials regarding cross-strait issues.

The launch occurs as China continues to demand that Washington curtail contacts with Taiwan. The announcement precedes a scheduled meeting next week in Shenzhen between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit.