SEARCA sets deadline for PhD scholarship applications

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna: Research scholarships offered to doctoral students by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) with topics relevant to SEARCA's priority thrusts are still open for interested applicants until August 31.

Leah Lyn Domingo of the SEARCA public relations office said for fiscal year 2019-2020, priority would be given to research scholarship applications that are anchored on any of the topics defined by the project.

Domingo said under the project titled "Agricultural Transformation and Market Integration in the Asean Region: Responding to Food Security and Inclusiveness Concerns," the topics focus on priority commodities such as root and cash crops, fruits, vegetables and livestock, as well as value chain studies.

The scholarship is open to Filipinos and other Southeast Asians from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.

Domingo said SEARCA provides research funds not to exceed $4,500 and optional internship at the center for up to two months.

She said application requirements are posted online at www.searca.org.

"Those who will avail of the internship may be given additional scholarship funds to cover travel expenses to and from SEARCA, travel and accident insurance, and stipend during the internship period," Domingo said.

She said the scholars may use the resources and facilities available at SEARCA and its network of universities in Southeast Asia for their research.