East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship 2027 (Funded)

Applications are open for the East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship 2027. The fellowship provides funding for Master's and doctoral students from the United States, Asia, and the Pacific to pursue graduate studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa while participating in educational, leadership, cultural exchange, and community-building programmes at the East-West Center.

Beyond financial support, the fellowship offers a unique opportunity to join an international residential community where scholars engage in leadership development, cross-cultural learning, service projects, and professional networking focused on strengthening cooperation across the Indo-Pacific region.

About the Fellowship

The East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship is designed to develop future leaders committed to fostering understanding and collaboration among the peoples of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific.

Fellows become part of a multicultural residential community where they participate in leadership training, academic enrichment activities, cultural exchange programmes, internships, and community service while completing graduate degrees at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. These experiences help participants build lifelong professional relationships and develop the knowledge and skills needed to address regional and global challenges.

Fellowship Benefits

Successful applicants will receive:

• Full-time graduate tuition and mandatory fees equivalent to the general tuition charged by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
• Accommodation in an East-West Center residence hall during the academic year (single occupancy).
• A stipend to help cover food and incidental living expenses.
• Opportunities to participate in leadership development programmes.
• Access to internships, cultural exchange activities, educational enrichment programmes, and community service projects.
• Eligibility to compete for additional funding for field studies and conference presentations during the fellowship period.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be citizens or permanent residents of the United States; or
• Be citizens of eligible countries in Asia or the Pacific, including Russia.
• Meet the admission requirements for a graduate programme at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
• Demonstrate a strong academic background and commitment to contributing to the Asia-Pacific region.

Priority is given to applicants who have demonstrated interest in promoting cooperation and understanding across the Asia-Pacific region.

Eligible Countries

Applications are accepted from:

• United States.
• Pacific countries and territories.
• Southeast Asian countries.
• South Asian countries.
• East Asian countries, including Russia.

The complete list of eligible countries is available in the official fellowship guidelines.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare:

• Completed online fellowship application.
• Proof of application submission to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (or an explanatory note if proof is pending).
• Curriculum Vitae or résumé.
• Passport biodata page (for international applicants, if available).
• Contact details for three referees.
• Statement of objectives required by the intended graduate programme.
• Any additional documents requested by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa or the East-West Center.

Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed based on:

• Academic achievement.
• Leadership potential.
• Commitment to the Asia-Pacific region.
• Quality of the application materials.
• Potential contribution to the East-West Center community and its mission.

How to Apply

To apply:

1. Apply for admission to an eligible graduate programme at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
2. Gather all required supporting documents.
3. Complete the online East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship application.
4. Upload the required documents through the application portal.
5. Submit your application before the deadline.

Applicants should carefully review the application instructions before submission, as incomplete or incorrect applications may not be considered.