Research Innovation & Collaboration Exchange (RICE) Fellowships

Application deadline 15th May 24

 East-West Center (EWC) Established by the US Congress in 1960, the East-West Center promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, dialogue and research. The Center’s 21-acre Honolulu campus is located midway between Asia and the continental US and features residential, conference, classroom and research facilities. The East-West Center has over fifty years of service as a US-based institution for higher education, research and public diplomacy. The Center serves as a resource for information and analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise and develop policy options. East-West Center alumni come from all 50 US states and more than 150 countries and territories.

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.

We 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

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.).  Proposals should focus on bringing individuals and organizations from the United States, Asia, and the Pacific together to share perspectives, consider common challenges and opportunities, and create collaborative outcomes.
• Rough budget for the work, including requested stipend, travel, housing, and other costs.

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.