Collaborations – IATSS

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN JAPAN

IATSS Forum, Japan and LEAD India invite you to apply for an 8-week Leadership Development Program. LEAD India is the India Secretariat of IATSS Forum, Japan and is in search of suitable candidates who will represent India in 2026. Four young and deserving individuals will be chosen from India to participate in the 69th and 70th batch of this program in Japan.

Program Mandate

Train youth to become the next generation leaders of Asia and mobilize the collective strengths of the group to the maximum extent

Invite two participants each from 10 countries: India, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam

Facilitate the exchange of ideas, thematic discussions, and an interactive & experiential journey

Build knowledge across various fields and learn methodologies for an interdisciplinary approach to issues

Receive training from professors, academicians from leading Japanese universities, business leaders, and experts across diverse fields

Facilitate interaction between participants, local volunteers, university students, and other Asian leaders

Program Details

Upon returning, participants are expected to

Selected candidates shall also be encouraged to contribute toward improving awareness and practices related to road safety in their communities.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must be from one of the participating countries and possess the physical and mental capabilities necessary to fully participate in program activities

Applicants must be able to travel to Japan unaccompanied

Applicants should have sufficient English skills and cultural adaptability to live and study abroad

Applicants should have at least 2 years of full-time professional experience at the time of application

Applicants should be 35 years old or younger at the time of the closing date of the application

Applicants must currently be a full-time employee working in a professional field (self- employed and freelance professionals included)

Applications Open!

Currently, applications are open for the 69th and 70th batch of the IATSS Leadership Development Program, which will take place in Japan in 2026. Details are as under:

Timeline – 2026

69th IATSS Forum: May – July, 2026 (8 weeks)
70th IATSS Forum: September – November, 2026 (8 weeks) Please note: Schedule and time frame are subject to change. Applications are accepted once a year

Participant Allocation

The number of participants allotted to each country varies from year to year
Total number of participants for 2026: 40 (20 participants in each Forum)
Approximately 1–3 participants from each country in each batch

Applications Process

Starting June 1, 2025, applicants can submit their applications through the IATSS Forum’s official website or click on apply today. Applicants also have the option to send their application by post to the address mentioned below.

Personal Interview

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a face-to-face interview at the LEAD India Secretariat.

Final Selection

After the interview round, the final selected candidates will be announced and further communication will be sent by the LEAD India Secretariat.

Application Deadline

Closing Date for Applications: 30 September, 2025

Fully Sponsored Program

The IATSS Forum pays for:

Round-trip airfare
Program participation fees
Accommodation
All meals and program-related expenses

Participants are responsible only for personal expenses.

Required Documents

Completed Application Form [Download here]
Application Booklet [Click here to download]
Two passport-size photos (4 cm x 3 cm, name written on the back)
One Recommendation Form (preferably from your direct supervisor at your current job)

We recommend submitting these forms in PDF format. To ensure a smooth application process, please have all these documents ready before filling out the Google application form.

Download all the required documents here.
For more information, please refer to the Application Booklet.

How to Submit Application Documents

Step 1: Download and Prepare Documents

Download the Application Form and Booklet using the links above.
Fill out the documents in English and save as PDF. When uploading the necessary application documents online, scanned image files in formats such as JPEG and PNG, created by a scanner, are acceptable as long as the images are clear and the appropriate size

Step 2: Choose One Submission Method

a) Online Submission (Recommended)

Rename files (e.g., Riya_Application Form)
Use a Google Account and Google Chrome on a laptop
Submit via the online application form (drafts saved for 30 days)

b) Postal Submission

Send all documents to:

LEAD India
IATSS Forum Country Committee – India
E-133, 2nd Floor, Greater Kailash-1,
New Delhi – 110048, India
Tel: +91 11 29235721, 41638440, 49064169

Important Notes

Do not upload documents online if you are sending them via post
Do not email your documents unless specifically instructed
Duplicate submissions may delay processing or disqualify your application

Contact Us

LEAD India
E-133, 2nd Floor, Greater
Kailash-1, New Delhi – 110048, India
Tel: +91 11 29235721, 41638440, 49064169
Jahnvi Rathod
Email: jahnvi@leadindia.org

About IATSS Forum

The IATSS (International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences) Forum is an international training institute established in 1985 to cultivate future leaders in the Asian region. The Forum brings together outstanding individuals from 10 countries to exchange knowledge through seminars, field studies, group learning, and cultural interaction, all under the motto: “Thinking and Learning Together.” [Read more about the IATSS Forum, Japan here].

About LEAD India

LEAD India is part of a global network called LEAD (Leadership for Environment and Development). LEAD Fellows are committed to socially equitable, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable development. With over 3000 Fellows globally and more than 200 in India, LEAD India builds leadership through training programs, knowledge facilitation, and action-based projects across India.