The UP Asian Center, in collaboration with the Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies (YCAPS), La Trobe Asia, the Philippines–Australia Forum, FACTS Asia, and We Protect our Seas (WPS) is NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for the Subic SQUAD Forum 2026. The deadline for submission is 31 March 2026.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies (YCAPS), in collaboration with La Trobe Asia, the Philippines–Australia Forum, FACTS Asia, We Protect our Seas (WPS), and the University of the Philippines–Diliman Asian Center, invites applications for the Subic SQUAD Forum 2026, themed “Developing Emerging Voices on Regional Security: Positioning the Philippines as a Hub for Regional Security Cooperation.” This program is supported by funding from the United States-Japan Foundation and Australian National University-Philippines Institute.
The program supports early-career scholars and emerging practitioners from Australia, the Philippines, Japan, and the United States who are working on Indo-Pacific security, defense cooperation, and regional governance. It responds to the Philippines growing strategic role within evolving minilateral and alliance-based security frameworks, particularly the Australia–Philippines–Japan–United States (SQUAD).
The Subic SQUAD Forum combines online training, mentorship, high-level policy engagement, and in-person collaboration in the Philippines. Participants will engage with senior advisors and peers to develop policy-focused outputs that address practical challenges and opportunities in regional security cooperation.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM PARTICIPATION
Selected participants are expected to:
-
-
- Participate in online webinars and mentorship sessions (May–October 2026)
- Participate in group-based peer-to-peer data collection projects of about 10 hours/month that will yield a co-authored reference handbook on the Squad.
- Participate in a two-day in-person workshop in Subic Bay, Philippines the Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea (notionally 7-13 November 2026)
- Produce one policy brief for publication
- Remain actively engaged throughout the program and as part of the emerging expert SQUAD network
-
*Accommodation and travel will be covered for selected participants.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants should meet the following criteria:
-
-
- Be early-career scholars or practitioners (at least three years of relevant professional experience)
- Demonstrate interest or experience in:
- Indo-Pacific or regional security
- Defence cooperation and alliances
- Maritime or strategic affairs
- Minilateral frameworks
- Be nationals or permanent residents of Australia, the Philippines, Japan, or the United States
- Applicants from government, academia, think tanks, civil society, and related sectors are encouraged to apply. A total of 16 participants will be selected across the four countries.
-
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
-
- A statement of interest (250-500 words) outlining:
- Research or policy interest
- What they hope to gain from the program
- Latest and most updated CV
- A brief description of their policy brief proposal (250-500 words).
- Each participant will produce a concise, policy-oriented brief (approximately 1,500- 3000 words).
- Briefs should be analytical, forward-looking, and policy-relevant, offering concrete recommendations for governments and stakeholders. All briefs will be compiled into a single policy briefing document and disseminated through partner networks, think tanks, and policy platforms
- Policy briefs may focus on:
- The Philippines’ role as a hub for regional or minilateral security cooperation;
- Australia’s, Japan’s, or the United States’ bilateral and minilateral security engagement within or in support of the SQUAD framework;
- The evolution, opportunities, and constraints of the SQUAD in the Indo-Pacific; and/or
- Practical policy recommendations for strengthening coordination, inclusivity, and sustainability within SQUAD-related cooperation
- The deadline for applications is 31 March 2026.
- A statement of interest (250-500 words) outlining:
ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS
The forum is organized by the Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies (YCAPS), in collaboration with La Trobe Asia, the Philippines–Australia Forum, FACTS Asia, We Protect our Seas (WPS), and the University of the Philippines–Diliman Asian Center. It is supported by funding from the United States-Japan Foundation and Australian National University-Philippines Institute.
Need more information? Please address questions to Ivy Ganadillo at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.