The Advanced Leadership Program (ALP) at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawai'i, provides a unique opportunity for established professionals aiming to broaden their focus on leadership education and development. The program creates a collaborative environment for a small team of up to four individuals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. 

ALP participants engage in a co-designed program that blends structured activities with independent work, research, and professional exploration. The East-West Center's campus becomes their focal point, featuring involvement in activities alongside the EWC’s Leadership Program. Moreover, participants can attend seminars, fostering connections with a wider network of professionals, research fellows, and students. To this end, fellows shall develop a Professional Development Plan that details the scope of involvement and interaction in the program and expected outcomes. The development of and adherence to this Plan will be monitored by the Leadership Program Senior Manager.

Tailored for individuals with 10-15 years of professional experience who are transitioning or expanding their careers to focus on leadership education and development within any sector, eligible candidates should exhibit a track record in leadership, a passion for personal and professional reflection, and a commitment to the Asia Pacific region's future prosperity and sustainability.

Program Information
Two program options are available:

• Summer Track (3 Months): June 1, 2024 - August 31, 2024
• Fall Track (2.5 Months): October 1, 2024 - December 15, 2024

Key Components

• Collaborate with the Leadership Program team to co-design and deliver sessions within EWC leadership programs.
• Enhance individual career development by self-designing a space for research and exploration aligned with professional and personal interests
• Interact with other ALP fellows and the Leadership Programs team on peer coaching, leading to an acceleration of learning through diverse perspectives, insights, and shared challenges.
• Network with research fellows, visiting scholars, professionals, practitioners, and students.
• Participate and engage in East-West Center seminars, events, and programs.
• Ideal for professionals unable to take extended sabbaticals
   

Eligibility Criteria

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive professional experience, indicating a clear trajectory of advancing responsibility and impact within relevant roles.
• A leadership track record in professional, public, or personal realms.
• Interest in leadership education and development or a related field.
• International experience, language skills, and a commitment to the Asia Pacific region's future.

Deadline
Applications must be submitted by April 21, 2024 (at 11:00 PM Hawai‘i Standard Time).
 

Financial Information/Provisions 

The ALP will cover the following expenses:

Summer Track (3 Months)

• Accommodation in an EWC residential hall up to US $2,290
• Monthly stipend of up to US $1,000/month for some living expenses
• SEVIS reimbursement upon arrival in Hawai`i for non-US citizens
• Health insurance during program
• Proprietary course materials (for required program events and activities, staff, guest speakers, workshops. This cost does not cover living and travel expenses.

Fall Track (2.5 Months)

• Accommodation in an EWC residential hall up to US $1,890
• Monthly stipend of up to US $1,000/month for some living expenses
• SEVIS reimbursement upon arrival in Hawai`i for non-US citizens
• Health insurance during program
• Proprietary course materials (for required program events and activities, staff, guest speakers, workshops. This cost does not cover living and travel expenses.

The ALP does not cover the following expenses and are the responsibility of the participant.

• Travel expenses to/from the East-West Center in Hawai`i
• Living expenses in Hawai`i outside of what is outlined above

 Summer Track: 3 Months: 92 days x $50 per day = $4,600 - $3,000 stipend = US $1,600

 Fall Track: 2.5 Months: 76 days x $50 per day = $3,800 - $2,500 stipend = US $1,300

• Visa application fee (MVR): US $160
• Accommodation and/or health insurance outside of the program dates

This program is subject to postponement/cancellation due to prevailing and unforeseen circumstances.

Submitting Your Application & Instructions
Create a Submittable account today to see the full application and apply!  Please refer to application guidelines and specific requirements of the program before completing this form.

• Please complete the application in English.
• Read the instructions for each item carefully before entering your information.
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Research Innovation & Collaboration and Exchange (RICE) 2024 Fellowships Program

The East-West Center (EWC) will provide RICE Fellowships for scholars, policy experts, non-government organization / civil society organization (NGO/CSO) members, researchers, or journalists from the Indo-Pacific Region, including the United States, to undertake research or other projects on topics related to the domestic/international governance, environmental issues, political economy issues around trade, technology and integration, and geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific.

Key Program Elements

RICE Fellows will undertake research or other projects at the EWC in the Honolulu or Washington, DC offices. The length of the RICE Fellowship will be based on the project as will the associated stipend, support, and travel funding. In some cases, a recipient may be permitted to work at another location, provided sufficient project-relevant justification is presented. 

During the Fellowship terms, participants will pursue their project interests while taking advantage of the resources and access of the East-West Center’s Honolulu and Washington, DC offices. Moreover, participants will have opportunities to collaborate with EWC researchers to enhance and advance their projects. Emphasis for selection will be toward proposed collaborations and exchanges which create or strengthen networks, partnerships, and shared outcomes. All project outcomes (e.g., EWC/Co-Branded publications, reports, videos, websites, databases, etc) will be co-branded between EWC and the applicants home institution, and preference will be given to outcomes which are sustainable. RICE Fellowships may include a monthly stipend and travel expenses depending upon the project proposed.

Examples of possible projects might encompass:

• Development of an EWC-Partner Organization publication or seminar series;

• Creating a new website or database (e.g., see North Korea in the World or Asia Matters for America); or

• Creating an exchange program for rising experts and leaders.

We urge innovative, collaborative exchange projects that convene impactful dialogues among peoples and products as well as develop and equip leaders.

Application Requirements

• A completed online application form

• A full CV

• Two letters of reference

• A 2-page statement outlining the proposed work. The proposal must include a summary of the project to be pursued (e.g, a research publication or other product as outlined above); a schedule and identified milestones to complete the project; an explanation of how the collaboration with EWC will further the proposed work (e.g., access to research experts, dialogs with key partners, convening for critical dialogue, etc); and the connections between the project and the mission and strategic pillars of the East-West Center.  Proposals should focus on bringing individuals and organizations from the U.S., Asia, and the Pacific together to share perspectives, consider common challenges and opportunities, and create collaborative outcomes.

• Budget for the work, including requested stipend, travel, housing, other costs.

NOTE: RICE funding subject to availability of EWC funds

Eligibility Information for Applicants

• Applicants must be nationals of a country from the Indo-Pacific or the United States and eligible to receive a fellowship stipend.

• Applicants must possess a minimum of a completed Master’s degree. Research applicants should have completed a PhD, while policy experts, NGO/CSO leaders, and journalists, among others, should have demonstrated experience in their professions.  Preference will be given to candidates who have not yet had the opportunity to conduct research, projects, and network in Honolulu or Washington, DC.

• Due to EWC funding regulations, non-US citizens or permanent residents who are selected as RICE Fellows will require East-West Center J-1 visa sponsorship during their residency. Acceptance of the fellowship will subject fellows to Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act or the two-year home country residency requirement before the fellow may apply for a change of status in the United States, permanent residency, or an H, L, or K visa.

RICE Fellowship participants must adhere to the East-West Center’s public health and COVID safety regulations.

Views expressed in RICE products and outcomes such as seminars, publications, website and similar will reflect those of project participants and not necessarily the EWC.

The Hawai‘i Pacific Foundation (HPF) Doctoral Research Award at the East-West Center is an award of up to $20,000 to promote educational access for Native Hawaiians or support outstanding doctoral students to conduct high quality research that advance commitment or contribution to the study of issues important to the Native Hawaiian community.  

Award funds may be used for tuition and/or institution fees, books, living expenses, equipment, travel supplies, software, and other expenses that are directly related to conducting their research.  The award period is up to six months and residency at the East-West Center is highly encouraged.  EWC will facilitate connections between the Awardee and its rich network of scholars who can provide support as they write their research findings.  Students may be studying at universities other than the University of Hawai‘i, as the Award is intended to support research by doctoral students, especially those who may need to be in Hawai‘i or need residency at the EWC in Honolulu.  At the conclusion of their research, the Awardee is encouraged to share their research findings with the EWC and the community for broader impact. 

Important Application Guidelines:
You must submit your scholarship application by 11:59PM (Hawaii Standard Time) on May 15 and should have the following documents on hand to upload to your online application:

• Curriculum vitae or resume
• Thesis or Dissertation Research Prospectus
• A scanned copy of your official transcript for each higher education institution attended [UH students may submit an unofficial transcript generated via star.hawaii.edu]
• Two Letters of Recommendation,  one of which from your graduate advisor at your home institution confirming advancement to candidacy or thesis 
• Detailed budget

 
For more information, please visit the East-West Center website, or email scholarships@eastwestcenter.org.

Please Note:

• Read the instructions for each item carefully before entering your information.
• Submittable does not log you out automatically when you exit your browser. Therefore, it is important that you sign out from your Submittable account, especially when you are using a public computer.
• Since you will not be able to edit it afterward, make sure to review your application before submitting it. If your application is not ready, you can save it as a draft and submit it at a later time. The saved drafts of your application can be found in your account under My Submissions (or Submissions).
• If after submission you need to change something in your application, contact scholarships@EastWestCenter.org.
•   Access to technical help with using Submittable is available here.  
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 For inquiries, please contact the EWC Award Services Office at scholarships@eastwestcenter.org.
Please include in your message your (1) full name and (2) award for which you are applying.