The R-Adhikarya “Niche” Award (RANA) supports outstanding students who dare to think differently, pursue unconventional pathways, and develop innovative solutions to contemporary and future societal challenges.
Established through the vision and generosity of Dr. Ronny Adhikarya and Mee-Ching, RANA encourages young visionaries with a Growth Mindset to explore new frontiers beyond conventional thinking and “more-of-the-same” approaches.
The Award is offered annually in collaboration with three world-renowned U.S. educational institutions:
- East-West Center (EWC), Honolulu, Hawai‘i
- Stanford University, California
- Cornell University, New York
| [Download Prospectus] | [Visit Official Application Site] | [Download Brochure] |
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Quick Overview
RANA offers award opportunities across undergraduate and graduate studies through partnerships with leading U.S. educational institutions.
| INSTITUTION | STUDY LEVEL | AWARD OPPORTUNITY |
|---|---|---|
| East-West Center (EWC) | Graduate Studies | Up to US$103,000 |
| Stanford University | Undergraduate Studies | US$12,500 + Financial Aid |
| Cornell University | Graduate Studies | Minimum US$10,000 + Financial Aid |
Preference is given to applicants from Indonesia, ASEAN countries, and students whose studies, research, or professional interests demonstrate strong relevance or affinity to Indonesia and its development.
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What is RANA?
RANA recognizes smart, innovative, and purpose-driven students who aspire to explore disruptive ideas and apply “niche” innovative thinking in their academic and professional journeys.
The Award was created to encourage promising students to pursue unique and unconventional approaches, challenge traditional assumptions, and contribute to solving important real-world problems and future societal needs that may not yet be widely recognized or addressed.
More than financial assistance, RANA serves as a platform that supports originality, intellectual curiosity, creativity, leadership potential, and strategic problem-solving across disciplines and sectors.
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Why RANA Matters?
RANA reflects the belief that meaningful progress often comes from individuals willing to question conventional pathways and explore ideas beyond established norms.
The Award aims to support future leaders, changemakers, researchers, and professionals who combine academic excellence with curiosity, courage, and a desire to create positive impact across communities, industries, and societies.
Through partnerships with internationally respected institutions such as the East-West Center, Stanford University, and Cornell University, RANA seeks to help expand opportunities for globally minded students with strong potential to contribute to the future of Indonesia, ASEAN, and the broader international community.
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Award Opportunities
RANA offers award opportunities across undergraduate, graduate, and professional development pathways through partnerships with internationally respected institutions.
| No. | INSTITUTION | AWARD DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | EAST-WEST CENTER (EWC) — Graduate Studies | RANA + EWC Graduate Degree Fellowship Up to US$103,000 Includes: • US$10,000 cash award • Housing support for two years • Books and insurance coverage • Living stipends valued at approximately US$26,000 for two years • Full tuition support at the University of Hawai‘i valued at approximately US$67,000 for two years |
| RANA + EWC Foundation Scholarship Up to US$56,000 Includes: • US$10,000 cash award • Additional financial support through the EWC Foundation Scholarship • Partial tuition reduction at the University of Hawai‘i valued at approximately US$36,000 for two years |
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| 2. | STANFORD UNIVERSITY — Undergraduate Studies | Ronny Adhikarya Undergraduate Scholarship US$12,500 + Stanford Financial Aid Eligible students admitted to and enrolled at Stanford University are automatically considered through Stanford University’s financial aid process. Additional Stanford University financial aid support may be valued at approximately US$60,000 or more. |
| 3. | CORNELL UNIVERSITY — Graduate Studies | Cornell Global Development – RANA Award Minimum US$10,000 + Financial Aid Available for: • Master of Professional Studies (MPS) students. • Ph.D. students within Cornell University’s Department of Global Development. Additional Cornell University financial aid support may be valued at approximately US$70,000 or more. Please note: • MPS students are typically prioritized during odd years. • Ph.D. students are typically prioritized during even years. |
| 4. | COMBI INSTITUTE — Professional Development | COMBI Professional Development Program US$1,000 Tuition Support Supports two participants annually for the Communication for Behavioral Impact (COMBI) Professional Development Program in Indonesia, conducted in collaboration with the City University of New York (CUNY). Includes participation in the 8-day learning program. |
Who Can Apply?
RANA welcomes applicants who demonstrate:
- Strong academic potential
- Creativity and intellectual curiosity
- Interest in disruptive ideas and unconventional thinking
- Commitment to solving real-world and future societal challenges
- Leadership potential and a Growth Mindset
Preference is generally given to:
- Indonesian students
- Students from ASEAN countries
- Students whose studies, research, or professional interests demonstrate strong relevance or affinity to Indonesia.
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Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should review the eligibility requirements for each institutional pathway before proceeding with the application process.
| INSTITUTION | ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|
| East-West Center (EWC) | • Must be admitted to a graduate degree program at the University of Hawai‘i (UH). • Must be selected for the EWC Graduate Degree Fellowship or EWC Foundation Scholarship. • Must participate in the RANA Award Competition. |
| Stanford University | • Must be admitted and enrolled as an undergraduate student at Stanford University. • Eligible students are automatically considered through Stanford University’s financial aid process. |
| Cornell University | • Must be admitted and matriculated within Cornell University’s Department of Global Development (CALS). • Must apply for Cornell University’s RANA Prize. • Preference given to students with strong relevance or affinity to Indonesia and ASEAN-related development issues. |
| COMBI Institute | • Applicants may apply directly through the COMBI Institute under the RANA Prize initiative. |
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Application Process
EAST WEST CENTER (EWC)
Applicants for the East-West Center pathway must complete applications to both the University of Hawai‘i Graduate School and the East-West Center fellowship or scholarship program before submitting the RANA Award application. Selected applicants will be reviewed by the International Selection Committee (ISC), independent from the Award Donor.
| STEP | PROCESS | TIMELINE/NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apply to the University of Hawai‘i Graduate School and the EWC Graduate Degree Fellowship or EWC Foundation Scholarship | Deadline: December 1 |
| 2 | Submit supporting materials including TOEFL scores, transcripts, and recommendation letters to EWC | Deadline: January 10 |
| 3 | Complete the R-Adhikarya “Niche” Award application via RANA-prize.org | Deadline: March 13 |
| 4 | Applications reviewed by the International Selection Committee (ISC) | Independent from the Award Donor |
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Eligible undergraduate students admitted to Stanford University are automatically considered for the Ronny Adhikarya Undergraduate Scholarship as part of Stanford University’s financial aid process. Scholarship recipients are selected independently by Stanford University’s Financial Aid Office.
| STEP | PROCESS | TIMELINE/NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apply directly to Stanford University undergraduate admissions | Based on Stanford University admissions timeline |
| 2 | Complete Stanford University’s financial aid process | Eligible students are automatically considered |
| 3 | Scholarship recipient selected by Stanford University’s Financial Aid Office | Independent from the Award Donor |
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Applicants for Cornell University must apply and gain admission to the Department of Global Development within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), then complete the Cornell Global Development – RANA Prize application process.
| STEP | PROCESS | TIMELINE/NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apply and gain admission to Cornell University’s Department of Global Development programs | Based on Cornell University admissions timeline |
| 2 | Complete the Cornell Global Development – RANA Prize application | Deadline: November 15 |
| 3 | Award recipient selected by Cornell University’s Department of Global Development | Independent from the Award Donor |
For inquiries regarding Cornell applications:
Derar Lulu, Graduate Coordinator, Global Development
dl987@cornell.edu
COMBI INSTITUTE
Applicants interested in the COMBI Professional Development Program may apply directly through the COMBI Institute for consideration under the RANA Prize initiative supporting Communication for Behavioral Impact (COMBI) training in Indonesia.
| STEP | PROCESS | TIMELINE/NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Submit application to Dr. Everold Hosein | Via email: Everold@gmail.com Everold@combiinstitute.org |
| 2 | Applications reviewed for the COMBI Professional Development Program | Selected participants receive tuition support |
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Selection Process
RANA Award recipients are selected independently by the respective institutions and/or RANA’s International Selection Committee (ISC), ensuring transparency, credibility, and institutional independence throughout the selection process.
- STANFORD UNIVERSITY
The Ronny Adhikarya Undergraduate Scholarship recipient is selected independently by Stanford University’s Financial Aid Office. - CORNELL UNIVERSITY
The R-Adhikarya “Niche” Award recipient at Cornell University is selected independently by Cornell University’s Department of Global Development. - EAST-WEST CENTER (EWC)
The R-Adhikarya “Niche” Award recipient at the East-West Center is selected by the International Selection Committee (ISC), based on nominations of qualified candidates by the East-West Center.
The ISC operates independently from the Award Donor.
The Committee consists of internationally recognized professionals and academics with extensive experience across education, leadership, development, public affairs, communication, and international cooperation.
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International Selection Committee (ISC)
Voting Members
- Ms. Nina MAPILI
Chair, IAB/ISC. Former CEO and Managing Director of Mapili GmbH, Germany, and Founder of the Journey to Excellence (J2Ex) program. An internationally experienced professional working across Europe, Southern Africa, and Asia. - Associate Prof. Dr. Eric WIBISONO
Secretary, IAB/ISC. Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Surabaya (UBAYA), Indonesia. Former Secretary General of the World Bank’s Knowledge Utilization through Learning Technology (KULT) Program Consortium. - Prof. Dr. Norbert GRÜNWALD
Former Rector/President of Wismar University of Technology, Business and Design, Germany, and current Vice President of a university in Douala, Cameroon. - Dr. Delia Rarela-BARCELONA
Former senior official at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), including service as Chief of Staff to the Executive Director in New York. - Prof. Dr. Arvind SINGHAL
Marston Endowed Professor and Director of the Social Justice Initiative at The University of Texas at El Paso, USA. Internationally recognized scholar in Positive Deviance and strategic communication.
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International Advisory Board (IAB)
The International Advisory Board (IAB) supports the strategic direction and credibility of RANA through the participation of distinguished professionals from international education, business, diplomacy, development, and public affairs.
Members include:
- The Honorable Patricia “Pat” Loui
- Dr. Everold Hosein
- Ms. Ann Hartman
- Prof. Dr. Lori Leonard
- Mr. Noke Kiroyan
- The Honorable Dr. Gene Ward
- Plus the five ISC voting members
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Previous RANA Awardees
RANA awardees and scholars reflect the initiative’s commitment to supporting innovative, globally minded students and young professionals across diverse academic and leadership pathways.
The following highlights feature selected RANA awardees and published stories across partner institutions and programs.
| YEAR | INSTITUTION | AWARDEEE & FOCUS AREA |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | East-West Center (EWC) | Indigenous wisdom in educational reform initiatives. [Read Press Release] |
| 2025 | Cornell University | Women-led ride-hailing innovation initiatives in Nigeria. [Read Press Release] |
| 2024 | Cornell University | Agricultural renaissance involving Indonesian young farmers. [Read Press Release] |
| 2023 | East-West Center (EWC) | Innovative learning strategies and educational reform initiatives. [Read Press Release] |
| 2023 | Cornell University | Blue carbon and low-carbon development issues in Indonesia. [Read Press Release] |
| 2022 | Cornell University | Green geothermal energy adoption initiatives in Indonesia. [Read Press Release] |
| 2021 | East-West Center (EWC) | Synergy between cultural heritage, local wisdom, and disruptive technologies. [Read Press Release] |
| 2020 | East-West Center (EWC) | Advocacy and education for marginalized groups. [Read Press Release] |
| 2019 | East-West Center (EWC) | Planned to design an ethnic relations media program in Indonesia. [Read Press Release] |
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A Legacy of Paying It Forward
The RANA Awards were established by Dr. Ronny Adhikarya and his wife, Mee-Ching, as part of their commitment to supporting future generations of globally minded students and changemakers.
Born in Bogor, Indonesia, Dr. Ronny Adhikarya was a student activist and journalist before pursuing graduate studies in the United States. He completed his Master’s degree at Cornell University (1971–1972) and later earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University (1977–1980), supported through full fellowship programs that included living stipends.
Beginning in 1972, Dr. Adhikarya worked at the East-West Center (EWC), where he was mentored by international scholars and development leaders who helped shape his professional and intellectual journey. The experience provided him with valuable international exposure, tacit knowledge, and networks that later supported his long career in global development and strategic communication.
Over the course of more than 45 years, Dr. Adhikarya worked across numerous countries and international initiatives, including with the United Nations, FAO, the World Bank, and other institutions in the fields of education, communication, social development, and behavioral change.
The RANA Awards reflect a spirit of “Paying It Forward” — creating opportunities for future generations of students and young visionaries to access transformative education, global networks, and unconventional pathways for learning, leadership, and impact.
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Implementing Agency: KIROYAN PARTNERS
Kiroyan Partners, a leading Public Affairs consulting firm based in Jakarta, Indonesia, supports the communication, publicity, and implementation of the RANA Awards initiative as part of its public service contribution.
The firm also supports coordination and communication among the International Advisory Board (IAB) and the International Selection Committee (ISC).
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Contact
Verlyana “Veve” Hitipeuw
veve.hitipeuw@kiroyan-partners.com
Made Intan Iswari Satria
intan.iswari@kiroyan-partners.com
Menara Karya, 10th Floor Suite H
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Blok X-5 Kav. 1–2
Jakarta 12950 – INDONESIA
