Yokosuka Council on Asia-PacificStudies (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 Forum2026, 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 UnitedStates-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.
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:
o Indo-Pacific or regional security
o Defence cooperation and alliances
o Maritime or strategic affairs
o 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.
Program Participation Requirements
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.
Policy Brief Focus
Each participant will produce a concise, policy-oriented brief (approximately 1,500- 3000 words). 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
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
Applicants should submit:
- A statement of interest (250-500 words) outlining:
- Research or policy interest
- What they hope to gain from the program
- A brief description of their policy innovation proposal (250-500 words).
- A current CV
Applications are due by 31 March 2026, via this form.
Need more information? Please address questions to Ivy Ganadillo at ivy.ganadillo@ycaps.org