Deadline: 15-May-24
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 applicant’s 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.
- The East-West Center would like to fund multiple RICE Fellowship projects between $10,000 – $35,000 and in the $30,000 to $80,000 ranges.
- Project proposals should clearly connect and demonstrate the applicant’s idea with the mission and strategic pillars of the East-West Center. Additionally, projects that exhibit the potential for long-term collaboration and sustainability are strongly encouraged.
- 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.
- They urge innovative, collaborative exchange projects that convene impactful dialogues among peoples and products as well as develop and equip leaders.
- Note: RICE funding subject to availability of EWC funds
Current examples of RICE Fellow projects include
- Description: Assessing the relationships between US-Australia alliance and Southeast Asia.
- Outcomes: Virtual discussions in collaboration with multiple organizations and scholars, a series of Asia-Pacific Bulletins, and a workshop between scholars and practitioners.
- Award: $48,812
- Description: Studying Indo-Pacific countries’ efforts and attention to Arctic issues.
- Outcomes: Five virtual discussions in collaboration with multiple organizations and scholars, a series of Asia-Pacific Bulletins, an Occasional Paper Series report, and a final report event at the East-West Center in Washington office.
- Award: $24,000
- Description: Developing a cohort of early to mid-career scholars to enhance their academic work in the policy world.
- Outcomes: Selection of the final group of early to mid-career scholars, collaboration with multiple mentors for the group, multiple Asia-Pacific bulletins and other articles, and a two-day workshop at the East-West Center in Washington workshop.
- Award: $64,950
RICE projects in Hawaii include
- Description: Exploring water concerns and water security in the Pacific.
- Outcomes: Large symposium featuring collaboration between multiple organizations and scholars and an Asia-Pacific Issues journal piece authored by participants.
- Award: $9,000
- Description: Investigating the impacts and implications of the US Forestry Act and its efforts in part to limit import of illegally logged forest products.
- Outcomes: Research report on deforestation-free regulatory frameworks, the environment, and trade in the Asia-Pacific Region and an Asia-Pacific Issues journal piece authored by participants.
- Award: $12,000
Eligibility Criteria
- 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.
For more information, visit East-West Center.