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Who can apply

Three different things not to mix up: the country where you study, your nationality and the country where you live when you apply.

Country of study
Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines
Accepted nationalities
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam
Degree already held
Bachelor’s and Master’s
Target level
Master’s and Doctorate
Fields of study
Agriculture
Languages
  • English: level B2PreferredAccepted certificates: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 75
Work experience
Must be a regular employee of an academic or research institution or a government agency.
Other conditions
  • The applicant must not be more than 40 years old (Master's Degree) or 45 years old (PhD) at the time of application.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Must not be more than 40 (Master's Degree) or 45 (PhD) years of age at the time of application
  • The proposed thesis research should strategically contribute to at least one of these 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.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: 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
  • The research topic must be in line with the sustainable transformation of agricultural systems through innovation in Southeast Asia.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: The research topic must be in line with sustainable transformation of agricultural systems through innovation in Southeast Asia.
  • All applications are evaluated by SEARCA and the applicants' respective Ministries, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.Organisation’s wording: All applications are evaluated by SEARCA and the respective Ministries of the applicants, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.

The real funding

What the opportunity pays, what is left for you to pay and the money to plan before leaving.

Paid
Tuition, housing, plane ticket and insurance

Dates

Applications open
1 September 2026 at 00:00 GMT+8, time zone not specified
Applications close
31 October 2026Your deadline is earlier: The applicant must first submit the application through their respective Ministry of (Higher) Education; access to the SEARCA iSCHO Portal is given only to shortlisted applicants endorsed by the Ministry.
Results announced
31 May 2027

Application steps

In the order set by the programme. Open a step to see the details.

  1. Step 1: Submit the required application documents (in English) to your Ministry of (Higher) Education.
    With whom
    The applicant, to their Ministry of (Higher) Education
    By when
    31 October 2026 — 31 October 2026
    Documents to provide
    • 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 (BS transcript for MS applicants; BS and MS transcripts for PhD applicants)
    • Original or certified true copies of certificates of completion/diploma for every degree completed
    • Certificate of employment
    • Accomplished recommendation form from the academic adviser and employer
    • Brief description of the research the applicant plans to conduct for thesis/dissertation
    • Certification from a medical doctor that the applicant is in good physical and mental health condition and is fit to undertake graduate studies
    • Preferred: IELTS results of 6.0 or TOEFL iBT result of 75, taken within two years before application
  2. Step 2: Release of application results, only for those who already have a university acceptance letter.
    With whom
    SEARCA
    By when
    31 May 2027 — 31 May 2027
  3. Step 3: Process the university admission at the same time as the scholarship application; the scholarship is granted only to applicants who have secured admission to an eligible university.
    With whom
    The applicant and the host university

Where to apply

Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) (opens in a new tab) · SEARCA Full Master's and PhD Scholarship Program

Official title (in English): SEARCA Full Master's and PhD Scholarships

Edition 2027-2028 · Verified on 31 October 2026

Apply on the official website (opens in a new tab)

Official website of Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA): searca.org

See the official page of the opportunity(opens in a new tab)