1) Graduate Degree Fellowship (GDF)

The GDF supports selected master’s and doctoral students at UH Mānoa whose work advances Asia-Pacific understanding. It typically includes tuition support (full/partial depending on award), residential participation at the Center, and leadership programming. Fellows represent disciplines from public health to oceanography, education, engineering, economics, social sciences, arts, languages and regional studies.

• Duration: usually 24 months for master’s; 48 months for PhD (may vary by funding).
• Requirement: active participation in EWC seminars, community service and leadership activities.
• Ideal for: applicants planning scholarly or applied work with demonstrable Asia-Pacific impact.

2) Asia Pacific Leadership Program (APLP)

APLP is an intensive leadership fellowship focused on systems thinking, strategy, resilience and regional challenges. It blends seminars, field visits and team projects with a diverse cohort of emerging leaders from government, NGOs, media, business and academia.

• Format: residency in Hawaiʻi (cohort-based), with pre-residency preparation and post-residency network.
• Funding: variable (some tuition/scholarship support available each cycle; additional fundraising encouraged).
• Ideal for: professionals (generally 25–40) demonstrating leadership potential and regional engagement.

3) Affiliate Scholar (Visiting Researcher)

Scholars, journalists, policy professionals and graduate students can affiliate with EWC to conduct research, access libraries and join Center activities. Affiliates are not degree-seeking; the award may include program fees and access to discounted housing at EWC residences (subject to availability).

• Duration: typically 3–12 months; flexible.
• Outputs: research talks, working papers, policy briefs or media outputs.
• Ideal for: sabbaticals, dissertation fieldwork, independent research projects.

4) Short Fellowships & Exchanges

Across the year, the Center hosts topic-specific opportunities (e.g., media and journalism institutes, climate and ocean initiatives, security dialogues, arts/culture residencies). These are competitive but shorter, with focused deliverables and curated cohorts.

• Duration: often 2–10 weeks.
• Funding: ranges from stipends and travel support to fee waivers and housing discounts.
• Ideal for: mid-career professionals and scholars seeking targeted training or cross-sector collaboration.

Typical benefits

• Tuition support at UH Mānoa (full or partial depending on award and credits).
• Participation stipend/allowances (where available) for books, meals or incidentals.
• Access to EWC leadership & professional development modules, colloquia and regional dialogues.
• Community housing in EWC residences: Hale Mānoa & Hale Kuahine (subject to current rates and availability).

What’s not typical

• Comprehensive coverage of all living costs—most awards expect personal contribution or external funding.
• Dependent support (varies by program; family housing is limited and competitive).
• Guaranteed travel funding—check each call; some include partial airfare.

Region & citizenship

EWC opportunities are generally open to citizens/permanent residents of the U.S., Asia and the Pacific. Some programs welcome global applicants if the proposal focuses on Asia-Pacific themes. Read the current call carefully for region-specific criteria.

Academic & professional profile

• GDF: an offer (or strong competitiveness) for a UH Mānoa graduate program; solid GPA; readiness for graduate scholarship.
• APLP: early- to mid-career record with leadership potential and cross-sector curiosity.
• Affiliate/Short fellowships: clear outputs, mentor or institutional alignment, and a plan to engage with the EWC community.

Most programs

• CV/Resume (2–3 pages; outcome-first bullets).
• Academic records and English proficiency (as required).
• Statement/Proposal (see section below).
• Two or three references (academic/professional).
• Passport and basic ID; visa eligibility documents later.

Program-specific

• GDF: UH Mānoa degree application & departmental materials; EWC fellowship form; proposed study plan.
• APLP: leadership essays, professional profile, short video or interview.
• Affiliate/Short fellowships: research plan, work samples (where relevant), host confirmations if required.

Graduate Study Statement (150–180 words)

“My work addresses climate-driven freshwater scarcity on small Pacific islands. At UH Mānoa’s [Dept/Lab], I will evaluate hybrid rainwater-desalination systems using cost-risk models and participatory design with local councils. The project outputs—an open-source sizing tool and a policy brief—will help decision-makers plan resilient infrastructure. I will participate in EWC leadership seminars and share findings through community workshops in partnership with [Local Partner]. After graduation, I will return to [home ministry/NGO] to scale pilots across two islands.”

APLP Leadership Statement (140–170 words)

“I lead a cross-border youth network improving cyclone readiness in coastal villages. We coordinate drills, translate advisories and track shelter capacity. My goal is to build a regional micro-grants platform that funds locally-led preparedness ideas. APLP will sharpen my systems mapping, coalition building and evaluation skills, while the cohort’s diversity will stress-test our model. I bring practice in multi-stakeholder facilitation and a commitment to open knowledge. After the residency, I will launch an annual learning report to spread what works.”

Affiliate Scholar Abstract (110–140 words)

“This project examines how Pacific port authorities can use satellite AIS and low-cost sensors to reduce illegal transshipments. Using a mixed-methods approach with UH researchers, I will build a risk index, generate policy options and produce a training module for harbor officers. The fellowship’s outputs include a working paper and two briefings for regional meetings. Access to EWC seminars and UH library resources is critical for stakeholder mapping.”

Tips to stand out

• Lead with a problem that matters to Asia-Pacific communities.
• Show specific methods, partners and measurable outcomes.
• Connect your plan to EWC seminars, leaders and networks.
• End with a return plan—who benefits and how you’ll share results.

What to expect

• Motivation and fit with EWC’s mission and community life.
• Academic or professional rigor: can you deliver the plan you proposed?
• Collaborative mindset and cultural humility; openness to learning.

How to prepare

• Draft 5 STAR stories: collaboration, leadership, resilience, conflict navigation, and measurable impact.
• Prepare a one-page visual (timeline, budget, outputs). Keep it simple and data-light.
• Attend a public EWC webinar/event (if available) to get language and context.

Professional growth

• Weekly talks and policy seminars with practitioners and scholars.
• Peer feedback on drafts, presentations and research designs.
• Regional networks lasting long after the fellowship ends.

Giving back

• Mentoring newer cohorts; running skills labs; sharing methods openly.
• Publishing short explainers or policy notes for local audiences.
• Maintaining ties to home institutions and communities.