Up to 24 months for Master's; up to 48 months for PhD
Deadline
December 1 annuall
Level
Master's and Doctoral (PhD)
Acceptance
Typically less than 5%
Difficulty
Very High
β¨ Should I Apply for East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship (GDF)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
60%
Eligibility Match
8%
Win Probability
9/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
60β80 hrs
Time Required
Highly Competitive
Competition
π Overview
π°
Award Amount
Approximately $35,000 to $45,000 per year in total value
β±
Duration
Up to 24 months for Master's; up to 48 months for PhD
π
Deadline
December 1 annually
πΌ
Fields
Most graduate fields at the University of Hawaiβi (excluding specific professional degrees like MBA, MD, and JD)
π
Awards/Year
Approximately 10 to 20 new awards per year
π
Study Country
United States
ποΈ
Provider
East-West Center (EWC)
π
Acceptance
Typically less than 5%
The East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship provides funding for graduate study at the University of Hawaiβi at MΔnoa while participating in leadership development and residential programs at the East-West Center in Honolulu. The fellowship is designed to foster a sense of community among students from diverse cultures and to develop future leaders for the Asia-Pacific region.
π₯ Who Should Apply
Open to students from the US, Asia, and Pacific regions who have been admitted to a UHM graduate program.
ποΈ Host University
University of Hawaiβi at MΔnoa (UHM)
π€ Sponsor
East-West Center (established by the US Congress)
πΌ Fields of Study
Most graduate fields at the University of Hawaiβi (excluding specific professional degrees like MBA, MD, and JD)
β¨ Key Benefits
Comprehensive package including full tuition, housing, monthly stipend, health insurance, airfare, and book allowance.
π― Target Students
International and Domestic Graduate Students (Asia-Pacific and US)
Varies; usually hundreds of applicants for few spots
Applicants Last Year
Check official EWC annual reports for specific cohorts
Winners
Typically less than 5%
Acceptance Rate
Highly Competitive
Competition Level
Win Probability
8%
Match Score
60%
Competition
95%
πΈ Funding Breakdown
Tuition
100% of graduate tuition and mandatory student fees
Living Stipend
Monthly stipend for food and incidental expenses
Total Award
Approximately $35,000 to $45
βοΈ Travel: Round-trip airfare from home country to Honoluluπ Accommodation: Fully covered housing in East-West Center residence hallsπ Health Insurance: Full health insurance coverage providedπ Renewable: Yesπ³ App Fee: No fee for EWC application; UHM application fee still applies
π Tuition Coverage
100% of graduate tuition and mandatory student fees
π Living Stipend
Monthly stipend for food and incidental expenses
π‘ Accommodation
Fully covered housing in East-West Center residence halls
βοΈ Travel Allowance
Round-trip airfare from home country to Honolulu
π Health Insurance
Full health insurance coverage provided
π Other Benefits
Book allowance, professional development funding, and participation in leadership seminars
π Renewable
Yes
π Renewal Conditions
Subject to maintaining a 3.0 GPA and meeting EWC community participation requirements
β Eligibility Requirements
π Eligible Nationalities
Citizens or permanent residents of the United States and countries in Asia and the Pacific
π Academic Level
Master's and Doctoral (PhD)
π Minimum GPA
3.0 on a 4.0 scale
π£οΈ English Requirement
TOEFL or IELTS scores meeting University of Hawaiβi graduate admissions standards
πΌ Work Experience
Not strictly required but professional experience is highly valued
π Leadership
Strong evidence of leadership potential and commitment to the Asia-Pacific region
π° Financial Need
Not a primary selection criterion
π― Target Students
International and Domestic Graduate Students (Asia-Pacific and US)
π Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Personal Statement and Leadership Essay)
Rec Letters
3 letters of recommendation
Interview
Yes (Finalists may be interviewed via video conference)
Application Fee
No fee for EWC application; UHM application fee still applies
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
3 letters of recommendation Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
TOEFL or IELTS scores meeting University of Hawaiβi graduate admissions standards
Interview: Yes (Finalists may be interviewed via video conference)
Min GPA: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
π Application Process
Focus on how your academic and professional goals align with the East-West Centerβs mission of building community in the Asia-Pacific region.
π‘ Insider Tip: Highlight specific instances of cross-cultural leadership and your intent to contribute to the EWC residential community.
πΊοΈ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
β High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
β High Risk Stage
π Key Dates & Timeline
π Opens
August 1 annually
β° Deadline
December 1 annually
π€ Interview
Yes (Finalists may be interviewed via video conference)
π Study Starts
August (Fall Semester)
August 1 annually
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
December 1 annually
Application Deadline
Submit complete application β no late entries
Yes (Finalists may be interviewed via video conference)
Shortlisting & Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
August (Fall Semester)
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
βοΈ Selection Process
π Selection Criteria
Academic excellence, leadership potential, and relevance of study to the Asia-Pacific region.
β‘ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship (GDF)Current
United States
Full Funding
Master's and Doctoral (PhD)
β
πΊπΈ Obama Foundation Leaders Program
United States / Global (Regional focus in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and USA)
Open to students from the US, Asia, and Pacific regions who have been admitted to a UHM graduate program.
This scholarship covers: Comprehensive package including full tuition, housing, monthly stipend, health insurance, airfare, and book allowance.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is December 1 annually. Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Highly Competitive. Acceptance rate: Typically less than 5%. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, TOEFL or IELTS scores meeting University of Hawaiβi graduate admissions standards, 3 letters of recommendation recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.