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SEARCA Full Master's and PhD Scholarships

The SEARCA Full Master's and PhD Scholarship Program is fully funded by SEARCA to support highly qualified individuals from SEAMEO member countries. The program provides opportunities for scholars to pursue advanced studies in priority fields aligned with SEARCA’s thrusts, with the goal of fostering innovation and sustainable development in the region.

All applications are evaluated by SEARCA and the respective Ministries of the applicants, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.

Eligibility

Open to nationals of SEAMEO member countries who are regular employees of academic or research institutions or government agencies

Must not be more than 40 (Master's Degree) or 45 (PhD) years of age at the time of application

Areas of specialization that scholarship applicants must pursue should be relevant to the promotion of agricultural and rural development

Proposed thesis research should strategically contribute to any of the following outcomes:

  • Increased farmers' income
  • Improved food security and nutrition
  • Greater climate resilience of agricultural systems
  • Empowered farmers, farmer groups, and agricultural stakeholders and their institutions

Scholarship Entitlements

Tuition and other school fees

Travel allowance

(roundtrip air ticket from home country to study post and local transportation)

Thesis/dissertation support

Book and supplies allowance

Health insurance

Stipend for food, lodging, and incidental expenses

Study Posts

Applicants may choose from these universities in Southeast Asia as their study posts. Other SEARCA study posts not listed here are designated exclusively for SEARCA's joint scholarship programs only, such as National Taiwan University, Sejong University, and Tokyo University of Agriculture (Tokyo-NODAI).

UniversityCountry
Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB)
Indonesia
Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)
Indonesia
Universitas Brawijaya (UB)
Indonesia
Kasetsart University (KU)
Thailand
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
Malaysia
University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)
Philippines

Application Procedure

Applicants must fill out online the SEARCA Scholarship Application Form and upload a copy of all required documents.

The required documents to be submitted should be in English:

  1. Original/certified true copy of transcript of academic records bearing the seal of the University and original signature of the Registrar or Head of the University. Applicants for MS degree should submit their original/certified true copy of Bachelor of Science (BS) transcript of records. PhD degree applicants should submit their original/certified true copy of BS and MS transcripts of records
  2. Original or certified true copies of certificates of completion/diploma for every degree completed
  3. Certificate of employment
  4. Accomplished recommendation form from the academic adviser and employer
  5. Brief description of the research the applicant plans to conduct for thesis/dissertation. The research topic must be in line with sustainable transformation of agricultural systems through innovation in Southeast Asia. Moreover, research topics must strategically contribute to any of the following outcomes:
    • Increased farmers' income
    • Improved food security and nutrition
    • Greater climate resilience of agricultural systems
    • Empowered farmers, farmer groups, and agricultural stakeholders and their institutions
  6. Certification from a medical doctor that the applicant is in good physical and mental health condition and is fit to undertake graduate studies
  7. Preferred to have IELTS results of 6.0 or TOEFL iBT result of 75, taken within two years before application as proof of English proficiency

Timeline for Scholarship Recruitment

1

Application

1 August–30 September

  • Submit your online application through the ISCHO portal.
  • SEARCA screens and evaluates application documents.
2

Ministry Screening

30 September–22 October

Applications are screened and evaluated by the respective Ministries. Applicants do not need to send documents directly to the Ministries, as SEARCA will handle the transfer of all application materials.

3

Interview & Document Review

1 November–31 January (following year)

  • Applicants will receive an email from SEARCA prior to 1 Nov, about the interview mode (in-person or online) and schedule.
  • Official nominees endorsed by the Ministries are interviewed as scheduled.
4

Final Evaluation

1 February–31 May

  • Comprehensive review by SEARCA.
  • Longer evaluation for joint scholarships (pending partner institution results) or applicants awaiting university admission.
5

Awarding of Scholarships

From 1 June onwards

Scholarship grants are awarded

6

Call for New Nominations

From 1 July onwards

SEARCA sends official invitations to Ministries, universities, and partner agencies to nominate candidates for the next school year.

Contact Information

For inquiries, please contact:

Education and Collective Learning - Graduate Scholarship and Institutional Development (ECL-GSID)

Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)
College, Los Baños, 4031 Laguna, Philippines
Tel:
  • +63 49 554-9330 to 39
  • +63 49 536-2290
  • +63 2 8657-1300 to 02 (local 2200 to 2203)
Email: