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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 November 19, 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 from Submittable. 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 November 19, 2023. What if I miss the deadline?
Applications received by November 19, 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.
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. Is there an age limit?
The program is aimed at early- to mid-career professionals. Applicants are encouraged to apply if you feel that you fall into this category. This is just one factor that is reviewed during the application selection process.
Reference Forms (Required)
Q. How do I resend a reference form to my referee?
Please visit the Submittable Help site for more information. Click here to be directed to the answer to this question.
Q. I need to change my referee, how do I make the change?
Please email the RPIL Team at [email protected] to reopen your application for editing.
Optional Items for Application
Q. Is a formal nomination from my government required to submit an application?
No, this is an optional item but preference will be given to applicants who receive a formal nomination from their respective PICL member governments.
Q. Can you give me a list of contacts in PICL governments for me to contact about a nomination?
No, you should be reaching out to someone who knows you for a formal nomination. Please note, a nomination is not required to submit an application.
Q. How do I upload my video introduction and create a link to add into my application?
- Upload your Video:
- First, create your video introduction. You can use a camera, smartphone, or any other recording device.
- Upload your video to a video hosting platform of your choice, such as YouTube, Vimeo, or a similar service.
- Privacy Settings:
- Once your video is uploaded, you need to set the privacy settings. If you want to keep your video private and accessible only to those who have the link, follow these steps on YouTube as an example:
- Go to the video on your YouTube channel.
- Click the "Edit video" button.
- Under "Privacy," select "Unlisted."
- Save your changes.
- Once your video is uploaded, you need to set the privacy settings. If you want to keep your video private and accessible only to those who have the link, follow these steps on YouTube as an example:
- Copy the Video Link:
- After setting your video as unlisted, click on the "Share" button on the video page.
- A URL/link to your video will be generated. Copy this link.
- Complete the Application:
- Access the program application form where you are required to submit your video introduction.
- Locate the designated text box for the video link.
- Paste the Video Link:
- Right-click in the text box or use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+V or Command+V) to paste the video link you copied in step 3.
- Double-Check:
- Before submitting your application, double-check to ensure that the link you pasted is the correct, unlisted video link.
- Submit Your Application:
- Once you've confirmed that the link is accurate and points to your unlisted video, complete the rest of the application form as required.
- Final Review:
- Before finalizing your application, review all the details you've entered to make sure everything is accurate.
- Submit Your Application:
- After reviewing, submit your application.
- Confirmation:
- You should receive a confirmation or acknowledgment of your application submission.
Remember to follow any specific instructions provided by the program for submitting your video introduction. Make sure the video link is accessible and viewable for the duration of the application review process.
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 but could change based upon budgetary constraints. 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 November 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 November 19, 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 from Submittable. 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 November 19, 2023. What if I miss the deadline?
Applications received by November 19, 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.
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. Is there an age limit?
The program is aimed at early- to mid-career professionals. Applicants are encouraged to apply if you feel that you fall into this category. This is just one factor that is reviewed during the application selection process.
Reference Forms (Required)
Q. How do I resend a reference form to my referee?
Please visit the Submittable Help site for more information. Click here to be directed to the answer to this question.
Q. I need to change my referee, how do I make the change?
Please email the RPIL Team at [email protected] to reopen your application for editing.
Optional Items for Application
Q. Is a formal nomination from my government required to submit an application?
No, this is an optional item but preference will be given to applicants who receive a formal nomination from their respective PICL member governments.
Q. Can you give me a list of contacts in PICL governments for me to contact about a nomination?
No, you should be reaching out to someone who knows you for a formal nomination. Please note, a nomination is not required to submit an application.
Q. How do I upload my video introduction and create a link to add into my application?
- Upload your Video:
- First, create your video introduction. You can use a camera, smartphone, or any other recording device.
- Upload your video to a video hosting platform of your choice, such as YouTube, Vimeo, or a similar service.
- Privacy Settings:
- Once your video is uploaded, you need to set the privacy settings. If you want to keep your video private and accessible only to those who have the link, follow these steps on YouTube as an example:
- Go to the video on your YouTube channel.
- Click the "Edit video" button.
- Under "Privacy," select "Unlisted."
- Save your changes.
- Once your video is uploaded, you need to set the privacy settings. If you want to keep your video private and accessible only to those who have the link, follow these steps on YouTube as an example:
- Copy the Video Link:
- After setting your video as unlisted, click on the "Share" button on the video page.
- A URL/link to your video will be generated. Copy this link.
- Complete the Application:
- Access the program application form where you are required to submit your video introduction.
- Locate the designated text box for the video link.
- Paste the Video Link:
- Right-click in the text box or use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+V or Command+V) to paste the video link you copied in step 3.
- Double-Check:
- Before submitting your application, double-check to ensure that the link you pasted is the correct, unlisted video link.
- Submit Your Application:
- Once you've confirmed that the link is accurate and points to your unlisted video, complete the rest of the application form as required.
- Final Review:
- Before finalizing your application, review all the details you've entered to make sure everything is accurate.
- Submit Your Application:
- After reviewing, submit your application.
- Confirmation:
- You should receive a confirmation or acknowledgment of your application submission.
Remember to follow any specific instructions provided by the program for submitting your video introduction. Make sure the video link is accessible and viewable for the duration of the application review process.
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 but could change based upon budgetary constraints. 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 November 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.