East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowships

The East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship for the 2025/2026 academic year offers a fully funded opportunity for master’s and doctoral students from Asia, the Pacific, and the United States to pursue graduate studies at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM) while engaging in educational, cultural, residential community-building, and leadership development programs at the East-West Center (EWC). This prestigious fellowship fosters a sense of Asia-Pacific community and prepares fellows for future leadership roles through a combination of academic rigor and intercultural experiences.

Eligibility

The fellowship is open to:

• Citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
• Citizens of countries in the Pacific, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and East Asia, including:
• Pacific Region: American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Northern Marianas, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna Islands.
• Southeast Asia: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam.
• South Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
• East Asia: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Russia, Taiwan.
• Applicants must hold a 4-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited U.S. institution or a recognized institution abroad, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Benefits

The fellowship provides comprehensive financial support for up to 24 months, including:

• Full tuition and fees for UHM graduate programs.
• Housing in an East-West Center residence hall (single occupancy, unless accompanied by dependents, in which case off-campus housing is required).
• A stipend to partially cover food and incidental expenses.
• An allowance for books, materials, and supplies.
• A subsidy toward health insurance coverage.
• Competitive funding for field study and conference presentations.

Program Features

Beyond financial support, the fellowship emphasizes building an Asia-Pacific community through:

• Community-Building Activities: Fellows live together in EWC residence halls, fostering lifelong connections and cultural exchange.
• Leadership Development: Participation in leadership training, internships, and team-building projects.
• Cultural and Educational Programs: Seminars, workshops, and service-learning projects to deepen understanding of the Asia-Pacific region.
• Networking Opportunities: Interaction with experts and professionals to enhance academic and career prospects.

Application Process

• Deadline: Applications for the 2025/2026 academic year are due by December 1, 2024. Supporting documents for both the EWC and UHM applications must be completed by January 10, 2025.
• Requirements:
• Apply online at www.eastwestcenter.org/applyGDF.
• Submit a curriculum vitae or resume, application acknowledgment (proof of UHM application submission), passport bio page (for international applicants), official transcripts, and, if required, an official IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo score.
• If not already enrolled at UHM, applicants must apply to the university by December 1, 2025.
• Additional Notes: Applicants are automatically considered for EWCA Alumni and Foundation scholarships. Review the Application Handbook and FAQs on the EWC website before applying.
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Additional Information

• Fellows are required to reside in EWC dormitories unless accompanied by minor dependents, in which case off-campus housing is necessary. Pets are not allowed in EWC residence halls.
• The fellowship is awarded annually and may be renewed for an additional year, subject to funding and satisfactory academic progress.
• For further details, contact [email protected] or visit www.eastwestcenter.org.

This fellowship is a transformative opportunity for graduate students committed to academic excellence, leadership, and fostering cross-cultural understanding in the Asia-Pacific region.

Field of study: Graduate program offered at the University of Hawai‘i (UH) in fields relevant to the goals and objectives of the East-West Center (EWC).

Target group: Individuals who are citizens of a country listed below may apply for the East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowships:

Southeast Asia: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam.

East Asia: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Russia, Taiwan

South Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka

Pacific Region: American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Northern Marianas, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna Islands

United States

Scholarship value/inclusions: The EWC Graduate Degree Fellowship covers the cost of general tuition and fees for UHM graduate programs, books, housing in an EWC dormitory, and partial funding toward meals, health insurance, and incidental expenses. Additional funding for field study and conference presentations is offered on a competitive basis during the fellow’s period of study.