East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship
The East-West Center (EWC) Graduate Degree Fellowship funds students from the Asia-Pacific region — Sri Lanka explicitly included — to pursue a Master's or PhD at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa while living at the EWC's residential community in Honolulu. Established by the US Congress in 1960 to strengthen US-Asia-Pacific relations, it is one of the few US fellowships designed specifically for the region. The award covers tuition, a monthly stipend, housing in the EWC dorms, partial health insurance, and some travel, in exchange for participation in the Center's leadership and dialogue programmes. For Sri Lankan applicants it pairs a US graduate degree with a uniquely cross-cultural cohort.
Annual cycle — applications typically open in autumn with a deadline around 1 November / 1 December for the following fall intake
East-West Center (with the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa)
External Organization-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Tuition
Covered at University of Hawai'i
Stipend
Monthly living allowance
Housing
EWC residential community + partial health
Programme
Leadership & cross-cultural dialogue
info How this award actually works
This is a separate, highly competitive application
Awards from external organisations like this one run their own selection round against applicants from across the world, and success rates are usually in the low single digits. Lanka Scholar does not administer it and cannot submit it for you. Treat it as a bonus on top of a funded study plan — never as the plan itself.
Who awards it
East-West Center (with the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa) — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.
How you are considered
Through a separate application round run by the funder, with its own forms, deadlines and shortlisting. You submit it yourself — it is not part of a university admission application.
What it covers
Tuition + Stipend + Housing + Travel (Master's/PhD). Read the terms carefully: even fully-funded awards rarely cover every cost, and any shortfall is yours to fund.
Where we come in
We help you judge whether this award is worth your time, and build a realistic admission plan that works whether or not you win it.
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Asia-Pacific Applicant
Open to citizens of the US, Asia, and the Pacific — Sri Lanka is an eligible Asian country. The Center deliberately builds a regionally diverse cohort each year.
Strong Academic Record
A good Bachelor's degree (for Master's applicants) or Master's (for PhD applicants) with competitive grades. You apply for the fellowship and University of Hawai'i admission in parallel.
Commitment to the EWC Mission
Fellows live in the EWC community and join its leadership, dialogue, and cultural programmes. A genuine interest in Asia-Pacific cooperation is central to selection.
English Proficiency
Standard University of Hawai'i English requirements (TOEFL/IELTS) apply unless waived. Sri Lankan English-medium graduates usually meet these comfortably.
Field Fit
You must be admitted to a degree programme offered at the University of Hawai'i. The Center favours fields relevant to regional development, the environment, governance, and culture.
account_tree Application Process
Apply to the EWC and University of Hawai'i together
Submit the East-West Center fellowship application and a University of Hawai'i graduate admission application in parallel — both are required, with overlapping documents.
Prepare your documents
Assemble transcripts, references, English-test scores, a statement of objectives, and an essay on your interest in the Asia-Pacific region and the EWC community.
Meet the deadline
Submit before the annual deadline (commonly 1 November / 1 December) for the following fall start. Late or incomplete files are not considered.
Selection
The Center selects fellows on academic merit, regional diversity, and fit with its mission; University of Hawai'i admission must also be confirmed. Outcomes follow in spring.
About the East-West Center
The East-West Center is a US institution in Honolulu dedicated to better relations among the peoples of the US, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study and research. Since 1960 it has hosted tens of thousands of fellows and visitors from across the region, building one of the strongest Asia-Pacific alumni networks anywhere.
Since 1960
Founded by US Congress
Asia-Pacific
Focus Region (Sri Lanka eligible)
Residential
Living-Learning Community
Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?
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Institute of International Education / US Department of State
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