Belinda A. Aquino International Philippine Studies Endowment

Award: Up to $2,000

About the Endowment


This scholarship is named after Dr. Belinda A. Aquino (Professor Emeritus), the first director of the Center for Philippine Studies (1975-2009).

The purpose of this Fund is to promote and enhance academic and professional studies at the University of Hawai‘i, Mānoa, on the Philippines and Filipinos from an international, comparative, cross-cultural and interdisciplinary perspective. It will encourage and support the study of diasporic and global issues affecting Philippine society and culture, and Filipino communities overseas.

According to Aquino, “Through this Endowment, I hope to perpetuate, especially among, but not limited to, the younger generation in the Filipino community an intellectual tradition of acquiring a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Philippines as a strategic country in the Asia-Pacific region and a vibrant member of the international community. The Philippines is now the 12th largest country in the world, population-wise, and Filipinos are currently deployed in about 150 countries as leaders, educators, professionals and workers. They have transcended the limits of the nation-state and established transnational communities that contribute to world peace, progress and stability. The “new diaspora” provides a rich and compelling perspective on the profound social, economic and political implications of the Filipino presence worldwide.

At the same time, this Endowment hopes to balance the “expatriate concern” with efforts to energize and strengthen the Philippine homeland itself, by supporting initiatives such as scholarships, fellowships, research and publications, library materials, exchange programs, visiting scholars, conferences, workshops, websites, educational travel and other opportunities aimed at achieving sustained academic and professional interest in Philippine Studies for the benefit of future generations of Filipinos as democratic, progressive, participating, vital and productive members of society, both internally and internationally.

Who are eligible to apply?

UH Full time students with good standing are eligible to apply.

*Applicants from other countries and institutions may not apply.

Please consult with the CPS Directors first before submitting an application for the Belinda A. Aquino International Philippine Studies Endowment.

Application Materials

  1. A cover letter explaining the kind of grant the applicant is seeking (ex. Research proposal, conference travel, or publication support)
  2. For conference travel grants only
    1. A letter explaining the significance of the conference and why applicant’s attendance is important
    2. Letter of acceptance to the conference
    3. Abstract of accepted presentation
  3. Two academic reference letters
  4. A writing sample (15-30 pages total)
  5. Detailed Timeline and budget of conference or research project
  6. Grant recipients only must submit a report about how they used the award at the end of the grant year and share their research findings in a lecture/talk for the CPS Colloquium Series.

Incomplete application materials will not be considered.

Send application (email attachments) to: CPS Co-Directors, Center for Philippine Studies (see full address below).

Deadline: First Monday of April (Extended to April 30, 2024).

For further information, call or write to:

Dr. Patricia E. Halagao or Dr. J. Lorenzo Perillo
Co-Directors, Center for Philippine Studies
University of Hawai‘i, Mānoa
1890 East-West Road, Moore Hall 416
Honolulu, HI 96822
Telephone: (808) 956-6086
Email: CPS Directors