The East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship supports eligible students pursuing graduate study at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. The award combines academic study with East-West Center educational, leadership and community programs focused on the United States, Asia and the Pacific. Applicants may pursue master’s or doctoral study in eligible UH Mānoa programs. The current competition closes on December 1, 2026.
Funding can include graduate tuition and fees, East-West Center housing, living support, books and supplies, plus a subsidy toward health insurance. The award is intended for citizens or permanent residents of the United States and specified countries and territories across the Pacific and Asia. Applicants generally need a four-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent before the award begins. New UH Mānoa applicants must also complete the separate university admission process.
East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship Details
The fellowship is administered by the East-West Center in partnership with the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Degree fellows study at UH Mānoa while also participating in East-West Center activities designed to build regional understanding, leadership and professional connections.
The main fellowship deadline is December 1, 2026. Applicants who are not already classified UH Mānoa graduate students should also submit the university graduate application by that date. Supporting admission and department materials should then be completed according to the program’s stated processing timeline.
Host | East-West Center / University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa |
|---|---|
Study level | Master’s and doctoral study |
Location | Honolulu, Hawai‘i, United States |
Funding | Tuition, housing and living support |
Eligible regions | United States and specified Pacific/Asian countries and territories |
Academic requirement | Four-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent |
Study institution | University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa |
Deadline | 1 December 2026 |
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East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship Benefits
The East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship can cover the major costs of graduate study. Official program information describes support for full-time graduate tuition and fees plus single-occupancy East-West Center housing. It also lists allowances for food and incidental expenses, books and supplies, and a health-insurance subsidy.
Additional competitive support may sometimes be available for activities such as field study or conference participation, subject to funding and program rules. Fellows also gain access to East-West Center programming and an international community built around cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region.
- Graduate tuition and eligible fees
- East-West Center residence-hall accommodation
- Allowance toward food and incidental expenses
- Books and supplies support plus health-insurance subsidy
Also Check: Applicants interested in another University of Hawai‘i funding route can review the University of Hawaii ADB-JSP Scholarship.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of an eligible country or territory identified by the East-West Center. Eligible areas include the United States and listed locations in the Pacific, Southeast Asia, South Asia and East Asia. Applicants should confirm the live country list because geographic eligibility is a core requirement.
Candidates generally need a four-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized institution and a competitive academic record. Admission to UH Mānoa is separate from the fellowship decision. Applicants should therefore satisfy both university and fellowship requirements instead of treating one application as a substitute for the other.
- Citizen or permanent resident of an eligible country or territory
- Four-year bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent
- Competitive academic record and graduate-program eligibility
- Separate UH Mānoa admission requirements must also be satisfied
Documents to Prepare
The fellowship application requires academic and personal materials that show readiness for graduate study and participation in the East-West Center community. Applicants should use the current application package because reference forms and document instructions can change between cycles.
New UH Mānoa applicants must also prepare the documents required by the university and their selected graduate department. Starting references and transcripts early is important because some supporting materials are processed separately from the fellowship form.
- Fellowship application materials
- Curriculum vitae or résumé
- Passport biodata page for international applicants when requested
- Academic and civic-engagement reference materials
- UH Mānoa admission and departmental supporting documents
How to Apply
Begin by confirming geographic eligibility and choosing a suitable graduate program at UH Mānoa. Then complete the East-West Center application. If you are not already a classified UH graduate student, submit the separate university graduate admission application for the relevant fall intake.
Applicants should not wait for one process to finish before preparing the other. Review both the fellowship and department requirements, request references early, upload the required materials and keep confirmation records for each submitted application.
- Confirm citizenship or permanent-residency eligibility
- Choose an eligible UH Mānoa graduate program
- Complete the East-West Center fellowship application
- Submit the separate UH Mānoa admission application when required
- Arrange references and supporting documents
- Submit by the applicable deadlines and keep confirmation records
East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship Deadline
The current fellowship deadline is December 1, 2026. New applicants who require UH Mānoa admission should also treat December 1 as the key university application date for the following fall entry. A selected program may specify an earlier requirement.
Supporting university and departmental documents should be completed promptly after the main application. Applicants should check the live East-West Center instructions and their selected UH department for any January supporting-document target or earlier department-specific date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions concern who is geographically eligible, whether the fellowship replaces university admission and what costs the award can support. The answers below summarize current program information.
Award details and country lists can be revised. Applicants should confirm the live East-West Center fellowship page before relying on an older secondary summary.
What does the East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship cover?
The award can support graduate tuition and fees, East-West Center housing, and living expenses. It can also cover books and supplies plus a health-insurance subsidy, subject to official award terms.
Can master’s and PhD students apply?
Yes. The fellowship supports eligible graduate-degree study at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, including master’s and doctoral programs.
Is a separate UH Mānoa application required?
Yes for applicants who are not already classified graduate students at UH Mānoa. The university admission and fellowship applications are separate processes.
Conclusion
The East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship is a strong option for eligible Asia-Pacific and US applicants who want funded graduate study alongside an international leadership community. Its combination of tuition, housing and living support can substantially reduce the cost of studying at UH Mānoa.
Applicants should first confirm geographic eligibility, then coordinate the fellowship and university admission timelines carefully. Complete both applications accurately, request supporting documents early and verify the December 1 deadline on the live official page before submission.
