Undergraduate Scholarships & Fellowships

In addition to the opportunities below, check out the recent Announcements section.

Opportunities Specifically for UH Students:

University of Hawai‘i Indo-Pacific Affairs Internship Program

The Indo-Pacific Affairs Internship Program provides $4,000 stipends to support undergraduate and graduate students at UH Mānoa pursuing internships related to Indo-Pacific affairs. Since many internships are unpaid, these stipends increase the accessibility of these opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds. These stipends are made possible by Congressional funding.

Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships

Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships are federally funded academic scholarships designed to provide support and funding to undergraduate and graduate students studying languages and cultures. UH Mānoa offers FLAS Fellowships in the following areas:

Hawaii Asia-Pacific Affairs Leadership (APAL) Program

Since 2013, the Hawaii Asia-Pacific Affairs Leadership (APAL) Program has provided university students and young professionals the opportunity to learn about Asia-Pacific affairs and think critically about Hawaii’s role in the region. Participants develop a local and international peer network that will serve them in the future. The program is supported by a generous grant from the Freeman Foundation. APAL Scholars gain exclusive access to Pacific Forum’s international network of senior foreign policy experts, emerging next-generation scholars and practitioners, and local community leaders and professionals. Throughout the nine-month program they are invited to Pacific Forum conferences and events in Honolulu that are normally reserved for experts, practitioners, and donors. They also undertake a guided research project, allowing them to explore Hawaii’s connection to the region and speak directly with stakeholders and decisionmakers working on these issues. Additionally, APAL Scholars are given the opportunity to attend a Pacific Forum conference in Asia. Participants meet 1-2 times a month from October to June for roundtable discussions focused on key regional issues. Additional opportunities such as volunteering, site visits, and partner events are also part of the APAL experience.

External Opportunities:

Undergraduate Diversity Fellowship, National Bureau of Asian Research

The NBR Undergraduate Diversity Fellowship aims to extend paid educational, professional, and mentorship opportunities to historically underrepresented groups, such as Black and brown community college and undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in the field of international affairs or Asia policy. This opportunity allows fellows to expand their networks and develop skills in research, event planning, publications, and general office and project management support through direct professional experience.

Ellings-Korduba Research Fellowship, National Bureau of Asian Research

The NBR Richard Ellings and Marta Korduba Research Fellowship Program consists of an intensive, three-month research and professional development program designed for current graduate and advanced undergraduate students whose degrees focus on issues of strategic importance to the United States in Asia. Through the program, NBR awards fellowships to a select class of fellows each year, from multiple academic disciplines and from universities across the United States. Fellows spend a summer as junior fellows in residence at NBR’s Seattle office, participate in a summer seminar series featuring high-level speakers from NBR’s network of experts, participate in professional development workshops, and receive guidance from NBR editors.

Japan Studies Research Fellowship, National Bureau of Asian Research

The NBR Japan Studies Research Fellowship cultivates a new generation of US-Japan specialists and leaders and to build stronger bridges between the United States and Japan. Fellows will explore how the US-Japan relationship must evolve to meet the demands of today, gain a broad understanding of the geopolitical shifts within the Indo-Pacific, and apply their expanded knowledge within a cutting-edge, policy-oriented environment. The program consists of an intensive, three-month research and professional development program designed for current undergraduate, community college, and graduate students who are interested in or focus on Japan studies, US-Japan relations, and/or Japanese foreign policy. Individuals who identify as a racial or ethnic minority are particularly encouraged to apply. Fellows spend a summer as junior fellows-in-residence at NBR’s Seattle office, participate in a Summer Seminar featuring high-level speakers from NBR’s network of experts, participate in professional development workshops, and receive guidance from NBR editors on a research topic of their choosing.

Key into Public Service Scholarship, Phi Beta Kappa

The Key into Public Service Scholarship highlights the wide range of career opportunities for liberal arts and sciences majors in local, state, or federal government. A cohort of 20 Service Scholars majoring in liberal arts and sciences disciplines will each receive a $5,000 undergraduate scholarship. Selected students are required to participate in an educational conference taking place in Washington, DC that will highlight pathways into a variety of public service careers, provide a mentoring conversation matched to recipient interest, and offer other networking opportunities. Applicants must be enrolled at one of Phi Beta Kappa’s 290+ chapter institutions. Membership in Phi Beta Kappa is not required for eligibility.

Political Studies Program, The Hertog Foundation

Each year, the Hertog Foundation Political Studies Program brings together top college students to the nation’s capital to explore the theory and practice of politics in an intensive seminar setting with outstanding faculty. Political Studies Fellows take courses in a wide variety of subjects, from political philosophy to contemporary public affairs, from economics to foreign policy. In the afternoons and evenings, they have the opportunity to hear from leaders in American government and politics. All fellows receive residential accommodations and a $2,500 stipend to offset travel and living expenses.

Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program

The Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program offers undergraduate and and graduate students a 10-12-week summer internship at a federal agency in a data science role, a stipend of $5,000 for full-time positions (a minimum of 32 hours/week), and professional development sessions, including orientation and networking events throughout the summer.