The biggest questions of our time call for community-centered and action-oriented leadership that is policy-aware and regionally and globally competent. Defining and resolving our common dilemmas requires inclusion and collaboration. The Indo-Pacific Leadership Lab, jointly launched by the East-West Center and the Japan Foundation, is for rising leaders from diverse sectors, including academia, civil society, non-profit, business, and government, who want to deepen their leadership practice and increase their impact. The Lab is for those who are ready to listen sincerely, question profoundly, and learn from real-world experience and practice.

Each year, leaders in the Lab will focus on a specific complex and interconnected social issue. Alongside fifteen other rising leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, leaders will join a year-long program that includes three one-week, in-person seminars held in Honolulu, Hawai‘i; Suva, Fiji; and Tokyo, Japan. Together, leaders will critically examine current responses to the issue and explore community approaches and their connections to local and regional policy. They will identify critical gaps and explore and test responses in their home communities, with guidance from community leaders, topic experts, and leadership mentors.

The 2025 Lab cohort will focus on leadership responses to the challenges and risks arising from the climate crisis. The program will begin virtually in October 2024, and will launch in-person in Honolulu, Hawai‘i in late 2024, reconvene in Suva, Fiji, and close in Tokyo, Japan. Throughout the year, leaders will critically examine climate adaptation plans and explore local communities' approaches to addressing vulnerabilities and meeting challenges.

Leaders who complete the 2025 Lab will be better equipped to support communities in articulating their adaptation goals and the vulnerability analyses they are rooted in, and in crafting transformative climate change action. Leaders will chronicle their experiences of testing community adaptation plans and build capacities and connections for inclusive, community-led climate change adaptation.

For more information, please visit our website for more information. Questions can be directed to leadership@eastwestcenter.org.

Program Information
Program runs October 2024-September 2025

• Honolulu, Hawai‘i (December 2024) 
• Suva, Fiji (April 2025)
• Tokyo, Japan (September 2025)

Financial Information/Provisions
The Indo-Pacific Leadership Lab provides Fellows with round-trip airfare to/from the program locations, program fee and materials, accommodation, travel insurance, meals, and some applicable visa-related costs (if required).
**This program is subject to postponement/cancellation due to prevailing and unforeseen circumstances.


Eligibility Criteria

• 5-10 years of deep work or research experience in an area with clear connections to climate change mitigation, adaption planning, natural resources or environmental governance, or related area
• A citizen and resident of one of the following countries: Japan, United States of America, Pacific Islands: American Samoa, Australia, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea, Independent State of Samoa, Solomon Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu; South Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan; Southeast Asia: Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
• Verbal fluency in English, with strong written English skills
• Demonstrable writing experience, including grants, Op-eds, articles in newspapers or magazines, blogs, and/or academic writing, etc.
• A current passport with validity through March 2026
• Able to commit to one week of travel in December 2024, April and September 2025, plus monthly virtual connections in between travel (estimated at about 4 hours/month).

Desirable Qualifications

• Deep and ongoing involvement in a specific organization, business, educational institution, or community impact initiative with clear connections to climate change mitigation, adaption planning, natural resources or environmental governance, or related area
• Professional, public, and/or community leadership track record
• Willing to engage fully in a place-based, policy-focused, creatively- and strategically-demanding program
• Interest in collectively generating community-focused policy and impact initiatives connected to climate change adaptation
• Interested in working and learning alongside people from a diversity of places, backgrounds, sectors, and communities
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively in small teams or in large groups

Deadline
Applications must be submitted by May 31, 2024 (at 11:59 PM Hawai‘i Standard Time). Completed applications include a Letter of Reference. Letters of Reference will be accepted until June 9, 2024 (at 11:59 PM Hawai‘i Standard Time).

Letter(s) of Reference
One letter of reference is required to complete your application but two are suggested. References submitted by the applicant will not be accepted. Instructions with a link to the Letter of Reference form will be sent to your referee(s) via email upon the submission of your application. Inform your referee(s) ahead of submitting your application that a request will be coming from Submittable. Should your referee(s) require assistance, please have them contact our team at leadership@eastwestcenter.org. The program will not accept a Letter of Reference directly from applicants.


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.

Applications are now OPEN for the Young Professionals Program for fall (September-December) 2024. Please apply by 11:59 pm (Hawai‘i Standard Time) on Sunday June 16, 2024.
 

The East-West Center in Washington (EWCW) offers a chance each semester for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates, to gain first-hand training experience at a US-Indo-Pacific research and education organization in Washington, DC.
 

We strive to provide participants with a broad range of education and training opportunities during their time with EWCW. These may include acquiring and analyzing large datasets for our Asia Matter for America publications, writing articles for AsiaMattersforAmerica.org, attending webinars or seminars, and delivering briefs.

Applicants typically have a strong interest in US-Indo-Pacific relations and may be studying international relations, Asia studies, international economics, international political economy, public policy, international business, journalism or other similar areas of study. However, all students and recent graduates who are interested in learning more about US-Indo-Pacific relations are encouraged to apply.

    The following proven skillsets are beneficial (though not required):

• Research experience with open-source data and working with data in Excel.
• Experience analyzing quantitative data and concisely communicating data outputs.
• Experience living in, studying, or researching the Indo-Pacific
• Experience tracking multiple media sources for news or developments about a particular topic
• Interest in researching and communicating complex international relations topics (i.e., international trade) into a local perspective (i.e., Maine exports of lobster to China).
• Developing graphs/charts/infographics for use online and in print form in support of various research, policy dialogue, publication, and outreach projects
• Basic understanding of economic data analysis (FDI and Greenfield investment)
• Asian language reading fluency
• Experience writing policy analyses, briefs, press releases, or other professional communications
• Public relations/brand management experience

We do not sponsor visas for this program, so non-US-citizen applicants should already be authorized for such a position through US citizenship/permanent residency or existing visas sponsored by a university or other valid third party.
 

Full-time (40 Hours/week) participation in the Young Professionals Program comes with a $2,000 per month stipend for the fall of 2024, subject to applicable taxes and withholding. Stipends are prorated for part-time participation and may count as university credits if your school permits.
 

Applicants located both inside and outside of the Washington DC area are welcome, though residing in the DC metro area is preferred. Participants located in the DC area for the summer term have the option to join either remotely, in person, or hybrid. Participants must be able to attend at least one weekly zoom meeting, dedicate 20-40 hours per week to the program, and be able to be online for the majority of Eastern Time working hours (9 am-5 pm).

The East-West Center is pleased to announce the 2024 Korea-United States Journalists Exchange, scheduled for September 19–28, 2024.

At present, US-ROK relations are exceptionally strong. Despite South Korean President Yoon representing a conservative party and his US counterpart President Biden representing a progressive party, the two governments have compatible approaches toward North Korea. President Yoon is also relatively tough on China and willing to prioritize strategic cooperation with Japan, which pleases Washington. Although President Yoon’s ability to implement his domestic agenda may be at risk due to his coalition falling short of achieving a majority in the April 10, 2024 National Assembly elections, his government still controls foreign policy-making, and from the beginning of his term, he has seemed determined to pursue his vision for ROK foreign relations even without a strong domestic mandate. The US Presidential election in November, however, could dramatically reset Korea-US relations. Candidate and former US president, Donald J. Trump, has a well-known history of being dissatisfied with the US-ROK alliance, and a second term for candidate Trump could present a challenge for Seoul and relations between the US and South Korea.

The 2024 Exchange marks the continued importance of the Korea-US relationship. With a focus on “Balancing US-Korea Relations in an Election Year,” this 16th exchange will look at the current issues related to US-Korea relations, including the strategic Korea-US military alliance, the state of US-Japan-ROK relations and strategic cooperation, US and Korea foreign policy, and the continued threat from North Korea. Coordinated meetings and visits will also provide journalists with an extensive knowledge and understanding of the US and South Korea presidential and parliamentary election process, policy issues, and voter attitudes, thereby enhancing their coverage of each election’s potential impact to US-Korea relations. Six Korean journalists will travel to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC and six US journalists will travel to Seoul, Busan, and the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea to meet with government and business leaders, academics, non-governmental organizations, media, and other members of the community. Following these study tours, all of the journalists will meet for a final dialogue at the East-West Center in Washington to report on their travel experiences and perspectives, and exchange opinions on how media coverage of US-Korea issues can be improved.

Theme: Balancing US-Korea Relations in an Election Year
Dates: September 19 - 28, 2024
Korean Destinations: Seoul, Busan and the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea
US Destinations: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC
All participants will meet at the East-West Center in Washington for a one-day concluding dialogue
Who Can Apply: Working US and Korean print, broadcast and online journalists with a minimum of five years of experience. Korean journalists should contact the Korea Press Foundation to apply.
Application Deadline: Friday, May 31, 2024

Funding: The 2024 Korea-United States Journalists Exchange is funded by The East-West Center and the Korea Press Foundation. Sponsors will cover the following programmatic costs:

• All international and domestic airfare
• Ground transportation and airport transfers
• Lodging in each of the study-tour destinations
• Program-related meals
• Cultural activities and networking opportunities
• Interpretation services during the study tour

Application Guidelines: 

• Complete all required fields below marked with a red asterisk (*)
• Current resume or curriculum vitae (no more than 2 pages)
• Cover letter outlining a brief description of your news organization, job duties and experience; what you expect to accomplish and what issues you want to explore during the program, including specific story ideas; and how participation in this Fellowship will benefit your work as journalist.
• Names and contact information for three references

US participants are responsible for paying a program fee of $650.00 each and covering their health insurance and airline baggage charges.

Korean journalists, please contact the Korea Press Foundation (www.kpf.or.kr)

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 31 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.  
• All fields with an asterisk (*) are required. 

 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.