Pūkoʻa Fellows Program Grant

The Pūkoʻa Fellows Program, launched by the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) at the Aspen Institute, is a 12-week virtual initiative aimed at Pasifika students in the diaspora. The program fosters exploration of diasporic identity and community responsibility through weekly sessions, mentorship, and a student-led event. Participants will connect with a national network of Pasifika organizers, enhancing their advocacy skills and building supportive campus spaces. This program is open to college students aged 18-26.

With support from CNAY’s Democracy is Indigenous program, 2025 Champion for Change Joshua Ching and fellow Pasifika students and scholars are excited to announce the launch of the inaugural Pūkoʻa Fellows Program, a 12-week virtual initiative.
Designed for Pasifika students living in the diaspora (outside of their ancestral homelands), fellows will explore diasporic identity, community responsibility, on-campus organizing and the evolving political landscape affecting Pasifika students today. The program includes weekly sessions, readings, reflection, mentorship from Pasifika peers and a required student-led event.
Fellows will receive access to a national network of Pasifika organizers and scholars, mentorship throughout the program, access to organizers from CNAY, the Aspen Institute and Hawaiian Diaspora, as well as connection to a supportive cohort of peers navigating similar experiences.
The program will be entirely virtual. Full or part-time students enrolled in a U.S.-based college or university are eligible to apply.

Eligibility

The fellowship is open to:
Pasifika-identifying youth (e.g., Native Hawaiian, Samoan, Tongan, Chamorro, Fijian, Marshallese, Tokelauan, etc.)College-age students (18–26)Students living in the Pasifika diaspora (outside their ancestral homelands)Students who are:Passionate about identity, community and cultureInterested in organizing or advocacyLooking to build supportive Pasifika spaces on campusWilling to learn, reflect and contribute to group discussion