East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship in USA (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship for the 2025-2026 academic year, supporting master’s and doctoral studies in fields aligned with Asia-Pacific development, such as international relations, environmental studies, economics, and public health, at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM).

This fellowship covers full tuition and fees, single-occupancy housing in an EWC residence hall, and a stipend for living expenses (valued at ~$22,000/year, less taxes), with competitive funding for field study and conferences. The application deadline is December 1, 2025, and there is no application fee for the EWC fellowship (though UHM’s graduate application may have a standard fee, potentially waivable). You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here. 

Key Details

• Fields of Study: Graduate programs at UHM relevant to Asia-Pacific issues (e.g., international relations, environmental studies, economics, public health).
• Degree Level: MS and PhD
• Funding: Covers full tuition/fees, EWC dormitory housing (single occupancy), partial living stipend; competitive field study/conference grants available.
• Duration: 1 academic year (renewable up to 20 months); starts mid-August with mandatory Community Building Institute.
• Application Fee: No fee
• Application Deadline: December 1, 2025

Benefits

• Full Tuition and Fees: Covers general graduate tuition and fees at UHM for the academic year.
• Housing: Single-occupancy accommodation in an EWC residence hall.
• Living Stipend: Partial funding for food and incidental expenses.
• Additional Opportunities: Competitive funding for field study and conference presentations.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, you must meet the following requirements:

Citizenship

• U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents
• Citizens of Eligible Countries in:
  • 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

Also Check: Yenching Academy Scholarship in China (Fully Funded)

• A 4-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited U.S. or recognized international institution.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in the last four semesters or six quarters of undergraduate study and all post-baccalaureate work.
• English Language proficiency, such as IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo English Test.

Application Process

Applications open on September 15, 2025, and close on December 1, 2025. Follow these steps:

1. Apply to UHM:
   • If not enrolled as a classified graduate student at UHM, apply for fall 2026 by December 1, 2025 via manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/
   • Submit supporting documents for UHM and departmental applications by January 10, 2026.
2. Submit EWC Fellowship Application:
   • Complete by December 1, 2025, including:
     • Application Handbook
     • Application Checklist (PDF)
     • Academic Letter of Reference (PDF)
     • Civic Engagement Letter of Reference (PDF)
     • Application Process Diagram (JPG)

Also check: NTU Global Connect Fellowship 2026 (Fully Funded)

Award Details

Duration

• Awarded for 1 academic year; renewable for up to 20 months based on progress and funding.

Residency

• Begins early to mid-August with the mandatory Community Building Institute.
• All fellows, including Hawai‘i residents, must participate.

Also check: SIIT University EFS Graduate Scholarship 2026 in Thailand

Housing

• Single fellows or those without minor dependents live in EWC dorms.
• Fellows with minor dependents reside off-campus (no minor accommodations in dorms; no pets).
• Spouses: Double room or off-campus housing allowance available from second semester (additional costs apply).

Visa

• Non-U.S. citizens require a J-1 visa; must return to home country for 2 years post-program.

Financial Provisions

• Value: ~$22,000/year (less taxes).
• Fellows cover additional personal/academic expenses.

Check This: Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship

Additional Funding

EWCA Alumni and Foundation Scholarships

• Automatic consideration for supplemental scholarships to cover tuition, housing, or living expenses.
• Available to finalists/semifinalists with financial need; requires EWC housing and community participation.

Check also: Erasmus Mundus MAPP Scholarship

Travel Grants

• Competitive funding for field study and conference presentations during study period.