East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship 2027 – Fully Funded Master's & PhD in Hawai'i

Scholarship Description

The East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship provides master's and doctoral degree 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 Mānoa (UHM).

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

Scholarship Location

The fellowship is tenable at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UHM) in Honolulu, Hawai'i, United States. Fellows reside in East-West Center residence halls on campus and participate in community-building programs at the East-West Center.

Scholarship Deadline

Applications for the academic year 2026-2027 competition open on August 15 and close on December 1.

Host Institution

The East-West Center – an independent, public, nonprofit organization established by the U.S. Congress in 1960 to promote better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific. The fellowship supports graduate study at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UHM), a major research university and the flagship campus of the University of Hawai'i system.

Level and Fields of Study

Level: Master's or Doctoral degree (up to 2 academic years).

Fields: Graduate study at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa in fields relevant to the goals, objectives, and priorities of the East-West Center. Priority is given to applicants with a demonstrated commitment to the future development of the Indo-Pacific region. Note: The fellowship does not cover the full tuition or professional fees for professional programs such as Architecture, DNP, JD, LLM, MAcc, MBA, MD, and MSN. Candidates will be responsible for covering the difference in cost.

Target Group

The fellowship invites applications from citizens or permanent residents of the United States and citizens of countries in the Pacific and Asia, including Russia. Priority in the student selection process is given to applicants with a demonstrated commitment to the future development of the Indo-Pacific region and in fields relevant to the goals, objectives, and priorities of the East-West Center.

Eligible countries include:

• United States
• Pacific Region: American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Easter Island (Rapa Nui), 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

Scholarship Duration & Amount

Duration: Awards are made initially for one academic year (fall and spring semesters) but may be renewed an additional academic year, subject to funding availability and satisfactory progress.

Scholarship benefits include:

• Full-time graduate tuition and fees up for the academic year to the equivalent of the general tuition charged for post-baccalaureate students at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa toward master's or doctoral studies.
• Housing in an East-West Center residence hall for the academic year, based on single occupancy.
• A stipend to partially cover food and incidental expenses.
• Competitive field study/travel grant awards – funding for field study and conference presentations is offered on a competitive basis during the fellow's period of study.

Estimated value: The GDF provisions approximate $22,000 (less applicable taxes) per year with supplemental financial aid available for demonstrated need.

Scholarship Eligibility

Essential criteria:

• Citizenship: Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or a citizen of an eligible country in the Pacific, Asia, or Russia.
• Bachelor's degree: Before the start of the award, applicants must have obtained a 4-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited US college or university, or from a recognized institution of higher learning abroad.
• GPA: 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.
• Admission: Must be admitted to a University of Hawai'i graduate degree program to be eligible for the fellowship.
• English proficiency: International students who must provide proof of English proficiency to the University of Hawai'i must submit an official IELTS, DUOLINGO, or TOEFL score.

Application Procedure

1. Review the Frequently Asked Questions – Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to first review the GDF FAQ page before applying.
2. Apply to the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa – If you are not already enrolled as a classified graduate student at UH Mānoa, you must apply to the university for the following fall semester by December 1. The University of Hawai'i launches their online application system on August 1 each year.
3. Submit the EWC Fellowship application online – Apply online at www.eastwestcenter.org/applyGDF by December 1. The application website closes automatically at 11:59 PM Hawai'i Standard Time.
4. Upload required documents by December 1 – The following documents must be uploaded by December 1:
   • Curriculum vitae or resume
   • Application Acknowledgment (screenshot or PDF of the notification you receive from UH upon submitting your online admission application) for applicants applying simultaneously to UH
   • Passport biodata page (for international students only)
5. Submit supporting documents by January 10 – The following documents must be received by January 10:
   • Official transcripts from each college or university you attended
   • Official IELTS, DUOLINGO, or TOEFL score (if required)
   • Three letters of reference (two addressing academic abilities and professional objectives, one reflecting community service, civic engagement, or extra-curricular activities)
6. Participate in the Community Building Institute – All students on new awards are required to participate in this initial program beginning in early- to mid-August, including those who are currently residing in Hawai'i.

Important notes: You must complete your admission application to UH by January 10. Certain academic programs may also require the submission of a departmental application which may include an application form, statement of objectives, letters of reference, GRE or GMAT test score report, and sample works. Please be sure to check with the academic program about these requirements. You must complete your departmental application by January 10. Failure to meet this requirement may result in your department not being able to provide EWC with a timely decision of admission and, subsequently, removal of your application from the pool of eligible scholarship applications.

Official Website & Application Links

East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship – Apply Now

Application Portal: www.eastwestcenter.org/applyGDF

University of Hawai'i Graduate Admissions: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/

Email Contact: scholarships@eastwestcenter.org