How do I apply for RPIL?

Q. How do I submit an application?

Applications should be completed via the online application system.

Q. Can you send me a word document of the application so that I can prepare my materials for online submission?

You are able to save your progress on your online application if you are need more time to complete your application. Please do not forget to hit the submit button on the application before the March 24, 2023 deadline.

Q. Can I submit a Letter of Reference for the author of the letter?

Applicants may not submit a Letter of Reference on behalf of the author. Your referee will be sent an email with a link to complete the online Letter of Reference. If your referee is having difficulty submitting their reference, please have them contact us at [email protected].

Q. The author of my Letter of Reference does not have a business card. Is the business card necessary?

If the author of your Letter of Reference does not have a business card, they can submit their reference on letterhead.

Q. I see that the deadline is March 24, 2023. What if I miss the deadline?

Applications received by March 24, 2023, Hawaiʻi Standard Time, will receive full consideration. Applications received thereafter may be considered on a space-available basis at the discretion of the selection committee, but are generally not accepted. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Eligibility Criteria

Q. Who is eligible and what are the eligible countries?

The RPIL is intended for individuals who are citizens or bona fide residents from a Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders (PICL) member country, territory, or the State of Hawaii: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaiʻi, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

Note: You are bona fide resident of a PICL member country/territory/State of Hawaiʻi if you have resided there for a minimum of 5 years preceding acceptance into the fellowship.

Q. Is there a work experience requirement?

The program is seeking individuals with a minimum of three (3) years of significant experience in your professional career and/or local community and a commitment to the Pacific Islands region.

Q. Is there an education level qualification?

Applicants will normally have a Bachelor’s degree; exceptions may be considered on the basis of other relevant experience and qualifications, as well as leadership achievements and community engagement.

Q. I am older than 35. Can I still apply for the program?

The program is aimed at early- to mid-career professionals. Applicants older than 35 may be considered for the program. Age is just one factor involved in deciding whether or not a candidate is qualified and would benefit from the program.

Financial Questions

Q. Is financial assistance available for RPIL fellows?

All RPIL participants are granted a generous fellowship. The RPIL fellowship offers the following provisions:

• Roundtrip airfare between home country and Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
• Roundtrip airfare between Honolulu, Hawaiʻi and Washington, D.C.
• Gound transportation and airport transfers in Honolulu and Washington, D.C.
• Lodging in an EWC housing facility in Honolulu and hotel accommodations in Washington, D.C.
• Living stipend during the program
• Health insurance
• Course materials
• SEVIS and U.S. J-1 visa application fees (if applicable)

Q. Are there provisions for my family?

No. The RPIL fellowship does not cover provisions for family. The stipend is set at a level to cover the cost of meals and incidental expenses for the participant only during the program.

Q. Can I bring my family with me?

Due to the intensive nature of the RPIL experience, extensive travel and living accommodations for one person only, we regret that we cannot sponsor or invite spouses and/or children to join the participant during RPIL. The RPIL fellowship is strictly an unaccompanied program.

Q. What is the living stipend?

The living stipend in Honolulu is approximately $2970 and approximately $553 in Washington, D.C. to assist with meals and incidental expenses. If there are program sponsored meals, this cost will be automatically deducted from your stipend, so the amount you actually receive will be less.

Note: your lodging at EWC and in Washington, D.C. will be paid by the program and does not come out of your stipend.

Visa and Travel

Q. Do I need a passport?

If you are not from a U.S. Territory or COFA country, you will need a valid passport to enter the U.S. As a general rule, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the ending date of the program. (This means your passport should be valid until January 2024.)

Q. Must I enter the U.S. on a J-1 visa?

Participants from the Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu are expected to enter the U.S. under the J-1 (exchange visitor) visa sponsorship of the East-West Center. EWC will provide the necessary documents for the J-1 visa application. Applications for a J-1 visa is made at the U.S. Embassy. If not available in the participant’s home country, visa arrangements will be made at the U.S. Embassy that has jurisdiction for the participant’s country.

Participants from American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawai'i, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands do not require a visa to enter the U.S.

Q. If accepted into the program, do I make my own travel arrangements?

No. The EWC will coordinate your travel between your home country and Honolulu and travel between Honolulu and Washington, D.C.

For those participants who need to travel to Suva, Port Moresby, or Auckland for their J-1 visa interview, EWC will coordinate this travel the week prior to the start of the program.

If you have questions not covered by this FAQ, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Resilient Pacific Islands Leaders Fellowship.

How do I apply for RPIL?

Q. How do I submit an application?

Applications should be completed via the online application system.

Q. Can you send me a word document of the application so that I can prepare my materials for online submission?

You are able to save your progress on your online application if you are need more time to complete your application. Please do not forget to hit the submit button on the application before the March 24, 2023 deadline.

Q. Can I submit a Letter of Reference for the author of the letter?

Applicants may not submit a Letter of Reference on behalf of the author. Your referee will be sent an email with a link to complete the online Letter of Reference. If your referee is having difficulty submitting their reference, please have them contact us at [email protected].

Q. The author of my Letter of Reference does not have a business card. Is the business card necessary?

If the author of your Letter of Reference does not have a business card, they can submit their reference on letterhead.

Q. I see that the deadline is March 24, 2023. What if I miss the deadline?

Applications received by March 24, 2023, Hawaiʻi Standard Time, will receive full consideration. Applications received thereafter may be considered on a space-available basis at the discretion of the selection committee, but are generally not accepted. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Eligibility Criteria

Q. Who is eligible and what are the eligible countries?

The RPIL is intended for individuals who are citizens or bona fide residents from a Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders (PICL) member country, territory, or the State of Hawaii: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaiʻi, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

Note: You are bona fide resident of a PICL member country/territory/State of Hawaiʻi if you have resided there for a minimum of 5 years preceding acceptance into the fellowship.

Q. Is there a work experience requirement?

The program is seeking individuals with a minimum of three (3) years of significant experience in your professional career and/or local community and a commitment to the Pacific Islands region.

Q. Is there an education level qualification?

Applicants will normally have a Bachelor’s degree; exceptions may be considered on the basis of other relevant experience and qualifications, as well as leadership achievements and community engagement.

Q. I am older than 35. Can I still apply for the program?

The program is aimed at early- to mid-career professionals. Applicants older than 35 may be considered for the program. Age is just one factor involved in deciding whether or not a candidate is qualified and would benefit from the program.

Financial Questions

Q. Is financial assistance available for RPIL fellows?

All RPIL participants are granted a generous fellowship. The RPIL fellowship offers the following provisions:

• Roundtrip airfare between home country and Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
• Roundtrip airfare between Honolulu, Hawaiʻi and Washington, D.C.
• Gound transportation and airport transfers in Honolulu and Washington, D.C.
• Lodging in an EWC housing facility in Honolulu and hotel accommodations in Washington, D.C.
• Living stipend during the program
• Health insurance
• Course materials
• SEVIS and U.S. J-1 visa application fees (if applicable)

Q. Are there provisions for my family?

No. The RPIL fellowship does not cover provisions for family. The stipend is set at a level to cover the cost of meals and incidental expenses for the participant only during the program.

Q. Can I bring my family with me?

Due to the intensive nature of the RPIL experience, extensive travel and living accommodations for one person only, we regret that we cannot sponsor or invite spouses and/or children to join the participant during RPIL. The RPIL fellowship is strictly an unaccompanied program.

Q. What is the living stipend?

The living stipend in Honolulu is approximately $2970 and approximately $553 in Washington, D.C. to assist with meals and incidental expenses. If there are program sponsored meals, this cost will be automatically deducted from your stipend, so the amount you actually receive will be less.

Note: your lodging at EWC and in Washington, D.C. will be paid by the program and does not come out of your stipend.

Visa and Travel

Q. Do I need a passport?

If you are not from a U.S. Territory or COFA country, you will need a valid passport to enter the U.S. As a general rule, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the ending date of the program. (This means your passport should be valid until January 2024.)

Q. Must I enter the U.S. on a J-1 visa?

Participants from the Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu are expected to enter the U.S. under the J-1 (exchange visitor) visa sponsorship of the East-West Center. EWC will provide the necessary documents for the J-1 visa application. Applications for a J-1 visa is made at the U.S. Embassy. If not available in the participant’s home country, visa arrangements will be made at the U.S. Embassy that has jurisdiction for the participant’s country.

Participants from American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawai'i, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands do not require a visa to enter the U.S.

Q. If accepted into the program, do I make my own travel arrangements?

No. The EWC will coordinate your travel between your home country and Honolulu and travel between Honolulu and Washington, D.C.

For those participants who need to travel to Suva, Port Moresby, or Auckland for their J-1 visa interview, EWC will coordinate this travel the week prior to the start of the program.

If you have questions not covered by this FAQ, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Resilient Pacific Islands Leaders Fellowship.