Canada-ASEAN (SEED‑2) Scholarships 2026 is a Government of Canada–funded short-term exchange scholarship (4–8 months) for eligible students from ASEAN countries (plus Pacific Island Countries and Mongolia) to study or do research at Canadian post-secondary institutions. The Government of Canada is offering scholarship opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region through the Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development – Phase 2 (SEED-2) program. This program is an expansion of the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED). SEED-2 is a key initiative under Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. The main 2026 deadline is March 24, 2026 (11:59 p.m. EDT), and your Canadian host institution must submit the application on your behalf.

Basic information (2026) + deadline

The Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development – Phase 2 (SEED‑2) program offers scholarship opportunities for short-term study or research in Canada that support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs). SEED‑2 is funded under Canada’s Indo‑Pacific Strategy and is offered by Global Affairs Canada.

Application deadline (key SEO snippet): Canadian post-secondary institutions must submit online applications (and email their ranked list) by March 24, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Because institutions are encouraged to set earlier internal deadlines, you should ask your home university and intended Canadian host about their internal cut-off date.

• Scholarship program by the Government of Canada under the Indo-Pacific Strategy.
• Provides short-term study or research in Canada.
• Focus on projects linked with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Helps reduce poverty and support sustainable development in participating countries.
• Strengthens people-to-people relations between Canada and Indo-Pacific countries.

University/institution details

SEED‑2 scholarships are facilitated through institutional collaborations between Canadian post-secondary institutions and partner institutions in eligible countries, meaning the Canadian institution applies on behalf of the student. The Canadian host must be a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), must centralize applications through its international office, and must waive tuition fees for scholarship recipients.

Study areas (available program names)

SEED‑2 supports short-term study or research in Canada at the college/undergraduate level or at the graduate level (Master’s/PhD), as long as the proposed work contributes to the SDGs. Instead of a fixed list of program names, the program emphasizes that your planned courses or research must clearly link to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and poverty reduction/development impact in your region.

High-performing, SEO-friendly study area clusters (choose one and tailor to your background):

• Sustainable development & public policy (e.g., development studies, governance, social policy aligned to SDGs).
• Environment & climate (e.g., climate resilience, water resources, sustainable cities, conservation linked to SDGs).
• Health systems & community well-being (non-clinical; focus on systems, policy, public health topics tied to SDGs).
• Innovation, engineering & technology for development (e.g., clean energy, agri-tech, data for development).
• Education, gender equity & inclusive growth (e.g., SDG-focused education research, social inclusion).

Canada ASEAN (SEED-2) Scholarships benefits

SEED‑2 provides funding for 4 to 8 months of study or research in Canada (depending on level and exchange length). Official scholarship values are set by level and duration: USD equivalents vary by exchange rate

• Undergraduate / College
  • 4 months: $10,200
  • 8 months: $15,900
• Graduate (Master’s / PhD)
  • 4 months: $10,200
  • 5–6 months: $12,700

Eligible expenses you can use scholarship funds toward include:

• Visa or study permit fees
• Round-trip airfare
• Health insurance
• Accommodation and food
• Local transportation
• Books and study materials

Also, Canadian institutions may receive CAD 500 per recipient for administrative costs after the student arrives (useful context because it shows why institutions manage the process).

Benefits not included (common exclusions you must budget for)

SEED‑2 funding cannot be used to buy computers or other equipment, since the official eligible-expense list excludes them. Scholarships are non-deferrable and non-renewable, so you must plan your exchange window carefully.

Additionally, the scholarship conditions require you to return to your home institution after the scholarship period to complete your studies, so it’s not a pathway to staying in Canada for a full degree through this specific program.

Eligibility criteria for Canada ASEAN (SEED-2) Scholarships

To be eligible, candidates must:

• Be a citizen of an eligible country
• Be currently enrolled full-time in a post-secondary institution
• Be paying tuition fees at their home institution during the exchange
• Be nominated by a Canadian university or college

Candidates are not eligible if they:

• Have Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
• Are already receiving another Canadian government scholarship
• Are already studying in a Canadian institution
• Previously received SEED (Phase-1) scholarship

Eligible Countries

Applicants must be citizens of:

ASEAN Countries

• Brunei
• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Myanmar
• Philippines
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Timor-Leste
• Vietnam

Pacific Island Countries

• Cook Islands
• Fiji
• Kiribati
• Marshall Islands
• Micronesia
• Nauru
• Niue
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu

Other Country

• Mongolia

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Link to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Commitment to reducing poverty and development gaps
• Academic merit
• Benefits for home institution
• Benefits for Canadian institution
• Ranking by the Canadian university

Scholarship Conditions

Recipients must:

• Study or conduct research full-time
• Not do clinical or patient-care research
• Return to their home institution after the exchange

Required documents

Official supporting documents include:

• Passport or national ID
• Signed privacy notice form
• 1-page letter of intent
• Proof of full-time enrollment
• Letter of support from home university
• Academic transcript (if required by institution)
• Letter of invitation from Canadian supervisor (for graduate students only)

Canada ASEAN (SEED-2) Scholarships application process (step-by-step guide)

SEED‑2 is applied for through MyEduCanada, and the Canadian institution drives the submission. Here’s the step-by-step process that matches the official workflow:

1. Find a Canadian host institution (DLI) and confirm they can host you under an institutional collaboration and will waive tuition.
   • Students cannot apply directly
   • Canadian institutions apply on behalf of students
   • Applications are submitted through MyEduCanada portal
2. Contact the Canadian institution’s international office early and ask for their internal deadline (many set earlier cut-offs).
3. Prepare your documents in the required formats; each uploaded document must be under 5 MB and in accepted file types (e.g., PDF, DOC/DOCX, JPG/PNG, TXT, XLSX).
4. The Canadian institution creates/signs into a Global Affairs Canada Single Sign-On account and registers the institution in MyEduCanada.
5. The program coordinator selects SEED‑2 and completes the online application form, saving as they go.
6. The institution uploads all supporting documents and submits the application by March 24, 2026 (11:59 p.m. EDT).
7. The institution emails the ranked list of applicants as required by the program.
8. Results are communicated to Canadian institutions in the spring, and institutions notify students (feedback isn’t provided for unsuccessful applications).
9. If selected, plan travel within the arrival window: you may arrive as early as August 1, 2026 and no later than February 1, 2027, and late arrival can cancel the scholarship.

Tips for a successful application

Build your application around a single, clear SDG story: your letter of intent must name the SDG, and your plan should show how your exchange work leads to measurable development impact when you return. Keep the “why this Canadian institution” section specific—name labs, supervisors, or course modules that realistically fit a 4–8 month timeline.

Also, treat compliance details as part of your merit:

• Use the correct proof of citizenship documents (passport or national ID card with photo and valid dates) and avoid documents the program explicitly does not accept.
• Ensure every letter is on letterhead, signed, and dated within the last six months where required.
• Don’t leave file prep to the last week; your institution can’t submit if your documents are missing, oversized, or not translated properly.

Monthly living expenses for international students in Canada (USD)

SEED‑2 funding can be used for living expenses such as accommodation, utilities, and food, but your real monthly cost depends on city and housing style. As a practical planning range for many Canadian student cities, international students often budget about USD 900–2,000 per month for rent + food + local transportation + utilities, with major cities usually landing on the higher end.

Because the scholarship values are fixed in CAD and your spending is monthly, you should build a simple budget that matches your exchange length (4 months, 5–6 months, or 8 months) and includes one-time arrival costs (winter clothing, deposits, local SIM).

Why choose SEED‑2? (5+ strong reasons)

1. It’s an official Government of Canada scholarship run by Global Affairs Canada and tied to the Indo‑Pacific Strategy, which adds credibility and structure.
2. It supports both study and research exchanges across undergraduate/college and graduate levels, giving flexibility for different academic paths.
3. The scholarship explicitly covers major mobility costs like airfare, permits, health insurance, and living expenses—key barriers for many students.
4. Tuition is waived by the Canadian host institution, which significantly reduces overall cost compared to self-funded exchange.
5. The SDG alignment pushes you to build a purpose-driven profile—useful for careers in development, policy, sustainability, and impact-focused roles.
6. The exchange window (arrive between August 2026 and February 2027) helps you match different academic calendars and research timelines.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1) Is Canada-ASEAN (SEED‑2) Scholarships 2026 in the UK?
No—SEED‑2 funds short-term study or research in Canada at Canadian post-secondary institutions.

2) What is the SEED‑2 2026 application deadline?
The deadline for Canadian institutions to submit online applications is March 24, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT, and institutions may set earlier internal deadlines.

3) Can students apply directly?
The Canadian post-secondary institution must apply on behalf of eligible candidates, so students typically apply through their home institution and the Canadian host’s international office process.

4) What expenses does SEED‑2 cover?
Eligible expenses include airfare, visa/permit fees, health insurance, living expenses, local transportation, and required books/supplies (excluding computers/equipment).

5) How long is the scholarship?
SEED‑2 exchanges typically run 4 to 8 months, depending on level and the approved exchange duration.

6) What’s the most important part of the letter of intent?
You must identify the SDG your study/research aligns with; letters that do not identify an SDG are considered incomplete and not eligible.

Important Dates

• Application deadline: March 24, 2026
• Result announcement: Spring 2026
• Arrival in Canada: August 1, 2026 – February 1, 2027

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