The East-West Center in Washington, DC (EWCW) is now accepting applications for Fellows to join the first year of a collaborative project with the Osaka School of International Public Policy (OSIPP) at Osaka University on U.S.–Japan—Southeast Asia Partnership in a Dynamic Asia. This program provides analysts and scholars with an opportunity to conduct interviews, research, publish, and present work while in residence at EWCW and OSIPP.

This project is generously funded by The Japan Foundation.

The primary purposes of this project are three-fold:

1. Expand existing U.S.-Japan academic and policy networks by bringing together experts in the U.S.-Japan alliance, Southeast Asia, and functional specialists (e.g., on regional economic integration, political economy, maritime security, and institutions/multilateralism).
2. Initiate “trilateral” interactions among Americans, Japanese, and Southeast Asians around core topics, with the aim of assessing Japan and the U.S.-Japan alliance’s role in Southeast Asia.
3. Generate policy-relevant ideas and proposals to inform policymakers responsible for U.S.-Japan relations and produce research, publications, and exchanges among Americans, Japanese, and Southeast Asians.

We look forward to welcoming a strong and diverse pool of candidates — especially rising scholars who would benefit professionally from time in both Washington and Japan, and those with limited prior experience in Southeast Asia. We are interested in proposals focusing on the following theme: How should the U.S., Japan, and Southeast Asia cooperate on trade, investment, and economic integration in Southeast Asia?

To facilitate this research and allow participants to engage with the resources and experts of the Japanese and U.S. policy communities, the program will finance residencies for a period of three (3) months; one month at OSIPP (with potential travel to other Japanese cities) followed by two months at EWCW.

Applications are DUE by 11:59 PM EST on October 31, 2018. 

Residency will begin in January 2019 and extend through March 2019. All fellowships must conclude by March 31, 2019. Office space and office support will be provided at OSIPP and EWCW respectively. All international and in-country program travel will be covered. Monthly stipends of US$3,000 will be provided.

Fellows’ Responsibilities

While in residence, Fellows must participate in all program related activities such as briefings, site visits and presentations and will also have time to conduct individual interviews and research activities in support of their particular focus under the program’s first year theme.

Fellows must also complete at least one East-West Center publication on their research topics and must make a presentation based on their research while at EWCW.

Fellows must present on their research at a public capstone conference to be held in Southeast Asia following the second year of the project. This is expected to occur in May 2020.

Application Requirements and Materials

Applicants with or without a PhD will be considered; those without a PhD will be considered based on their relevant professional experience. Applicants must be nationals of Japan, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states, or the United States, and eligible to receive a fellowship stipend.

Successful applications will include:

• A completed online application form
• A full CV
• Two letters of reference
• A 5-page (double spaced) policy-relevant research proposal of five pages

The proposal must:

• Discuss the policy problem or issue to be examined and a tentative hypothesis and arguments
• Make the case that the proposed project can be completed in three months
• Explain how a fellowship at OSIPP and the EWCW would further this research (For example: by interviewing government officials/policy experts, access to archives at local institutions etc.)

Optional elements:

• Brief description any plans for field research or conference attendance in the U.S. outside of DC, and how it would enhance the project
• A brief bibliography of the relevant literature

Selection Process and Criteria

All completed applications received by the deadline will be reviewed by a selection committee, external to the EWC. Applications missing any part of the required package will not be considered. Decision letters are expected to be sent in October 2018. The final number of Fellows selected will be subject to fiscal resources available.

The strength of the proposal is the most significant factor for selection; particularly the relevancy of the topic to issues of contemporary US-Asia or intra-Asia policy, and demonstrated ability to undertake independent research.

While applications from candidates of all backgrounds and career levels will be considered, emphasis will be given to:

• Next generation applicants who would benefit in their academic or professional careers from such an opportunity
• Projects which would greatly benefit from the resources afforded by a residency in Japan and Washington, D.C.