East-West Center (EWC) 2024-2025 Fully-funded Graduate Degree Fellowship, United States

The East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship provides master's and doctoral funding for graduate students from Asia, the Pacific, and the United States to participate in educational, cultural, residential community building, and leadership development programs at the East-West Center while pursuing graduate study at the University of Hawai‘i at M?noa (UHM).

Undertaking degree studies at UHM through an East-West Center fellowship is not merely about receiving a financial aid scholarship. Since the basic purpose of the East-West Center is to build a sense of Asia-Pacific community and prepare for future leadership roles, EWC graduate student fellows live together and interact with each other in both intellectual and social activities.

They are, from the very outset, an identifiable group committed to the notion of building an Asia-Pacific community. Through team-building activities, leadership development projects and internships, learning about the Asia Pacific region, cultural exchange, educational enrichment gatherings, community service and service learning projects, EWC graduate degree fellows establish friendships and lifelong ties to a network of people committed to positive change in the Asia Pacific region. 

• Table of Content
• About East-West Center
• EWC Graduate Degree Fellowship
• Aim and Benefits of EWC Graduate Degree Fellowship
• Requirements for EWC Graduate Degree Fellowship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for EWC Graduate Degree Fellowship
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About East-West Center

Established by the US Congress in 1960, the Center serves as a resource for information and analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options. The Center is an independent, public, nonprofit organization with funding from the US government, and additional support provided by private agencies, individuals, foundations, corporations, and governments in the region.... continue reading

EWC Graduate Degree Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of EWC Graduate Degree Fellowship

The graduate degree fellowship covers the cost of general tuition and fees for UHM graduate programs, books, housing in an East-West Center dormitory, and partial funding toward meals, health insurance, and incidental expenses.

Funding for field study and conference presentations is offered on a competitive basis during the fellow's period of study.

Requirements for EWC Graduate Degree Fellowship Qualification

Individuals who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries listed below may apply for the East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship:

• United States
• 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

Bachelor's Degree and Grade Point Average

Before the start of the award, applicants for graduate programs must have obtained a 4-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited U.S. college or university, or from a recognized institution of higher learning abroad. Generally, an applicant must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (4.0=A scale) or the equivalent, in the last four semesters or six quarters of the undergraduate record and in all post-baccalaureate work.

Interview date, Process and Venue for EWC Graduate Degree Fellowship

Priority in the student selection process is given to applicants with a demonstrated commitment to the Asia Pacific region.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowships support graduate study at the University of Hawai‘i (UH) in fields relevant to the goals and objectives of the East-West Center (EWC).

Fellowships are awarded annually in an international competition. Applications for the academic year 2024-2025 competition will open in early August and close on December 1. 

If you are not already enrolled as a classified graduate student at UH M?noa, you must apply to the university for the following fall semester by December 1.  The University of Hawai‘i launches their online application system (https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/) on August 1 each year for admissions the following year. To ensure timely processing of your EWC application, supporting documents for both your UH admissions office and department applications must be completed by January 10, regardless of whether the UH departmental deadline falls after that date.  

Application Forms and Instructions 

To access the application documents, click below:

1. Application Handbook (interactive website)
2. Application Checklist (pdf)
3. Diagram of the Application Process for EWC and UH (jpg)
4. Academic Letter of Reference Form & Instructions (form-fillable PDF)
5. Civic Engagement Letter of Reference Form & Instructions (form-fillable PDF)

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to first review the Application Handbook and Frequently Asked Questions page before applying.

For more details visit: EWC website.