Education
Affiliate Scholar Program
EWC Student interview

Please be advised that due to COVID-19, the EWC's Affiliate Scholar Program has been suspended until further notice.

About the East-West Center’s Student Programs

The East-West Center (EWC) promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1960, the Center serves as a resource for information and analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options. The East-West Center’s student programs, carried out in partnership with the University of Hawai‘i, are designed to foster a shared sense of community and develop the leadership skills and regional literacy needed for regional cooperation and community building among people and nations. At the East-West Center, learning is viewed as a collaborative process in which each person contributes knowledge, experience, and multicultural perspectives to benefit all participants. During the year, approximately 400 people study in residence at the Center. Most are involved in graduate programs and enrolled in coursework at the adjoining University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM) campus.

EWC Affiliate Scholar Program Overview

The East-West Center’s Affiliate Scholar program provides a limited number of opportunities for graduate students from universities and institutions worldwide, to have a short-term affiliation with the Center — between one month up to a maximum of one year — while working on a thesis or dissertation research related to the Asia Pacific region.  Affiliate scholars pursue their research in the library, and connect with faculty and other scholars at the East-West Center or the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, whom they have previously identified as sharing their interests. Thus, prior to submitting an Affiliate Scholar application, prospective applicants need to have established a mentoring arrangement with at least one faculty member, researcher or other specialist at the EWC or UHM who shares their academic interests and who has agreed to supervise their research efforts.

Consideration for the Affiliate Scholar Program is both competitive and based on space availability. We are looking for applicants who express an independent interest in the Center, as well as demonstrated initiative and motivation to engage in the Center's mission and programs, that extend beyond their focused research goals. There is no set application deadline; however, we recommend that applications be submitted at least a semester (three to four months) in advance of the proposed study period.

Affiliate Scholars are encouraged to actively participate in a rich set of East-West Center activities (click here to learn more about Current EWC Student Leadership Initiatives) and are required to attend a weekly evening seminar on issues of concern to the Asia Pacific region. The Affiliate Scholar Program was designed for live-in residence with the expectation of full participation and engagement in the EWC’s residential graduate student community. For this reason, an Affiliate Scholar is required to live in either the Center’s Hale Manoa or Hale Kuahine graduate residence hall at the participant rate of US$16 per night for a single room. EWC Housing policy states that dependents under 18 years of age cannot be accommodated in the Center’s graduate residence halls. Click here for information about EWC Housing for Affiliate Scholars.

The Affiliate Scholar Program is open to applicants who are able to provide their own funding, which includes but is not limited to travel, living expenses and health insurance.  There are no sources of funding available through the EWC to cover program expenses. Affiliate Scholars pay a program administration fee of US $50 per month (or partial month) of award.

Application Materials

To apply for the Affiliate Scholar Program, please complete the Affiliate Scholar application form and submit the following documents:

  • Application Form (fillable doc)
  • Reference Letter Form (fillable doc)
    Two (2) academic letters of reference are required, one of which must be from the applicant's graduate advisor at their home institution.
  • Affiliation Letter Template & Instructions (pdf)
    This letter should be from the faculty member, researcher, scholar or other specialist at the East-West Center or the University of Hawaii at Manoa that confirms his/her agreement to supervise and mentor the applicant and describes what specifically s/he will provide the applicant under this arrangement.

In addition, you will also need to submit with your completed application:

  • Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.
  • A thesis, dissertation, or other appropriate research project proposal.
    Include a description of the research you will conduct while affiliated with the East-West Center (list primary and secondary sources, library materials, faculty and community resources, etc.)
  • An official transcript reflecting the applicant's most recent academic work.
Send application and accompanying documents to:

East-West Center
Education Program
Attention:  Affiliate Scholar Program
1601 East West Road
Honolulu, Hawaii 96848-1601 USA

Email:  [email protected]

Program Administration Fee

Applicants admitted into the Affiliate Scholar Program pay a program administration fee of US $50 per month of award (e.g., 1 mo. = $50; 2 mos. = $100; 3 mos = $150, etc.). This fee may be paid in US dollars by cash, check or money order (made payable to the East-West Center), or online credit card payment (see link below). Payment in full for the entire award length is due no later than one week prior to arrival at the East-West Center.

Click here to make online credit card payment for the Affiliate Scholar Program