The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) offers a prestigious Graduate Scholarship program for the academic year 2026, designed to empower the next generation of agricultural leaders and professionals in Southeast Asia. This comprehensive scholarship supports master’s and doctoral degree studies in agriculture and related sciences at top universities across the region. Below is an SEO-optimized, detailed guide about the SEARCA Graduate Scholarship 2026 to help prospective applicants navigate the process and maximize their chances of success.

Basic Information and Application Deadline

The SEARCA Graduate Scholarship 2026 is open to nationals of SEAMEO member countries, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. The scholarship supports full tuition, living stipends, health insurance, and travel allowances for advanced degree programs focusing on agriculture and allied fields. For the academic year 2026-2027, the application deadline is September 30, 2025. Applications must be submitted online through the official SEARCA portal, ensuring all required documents are included and complete to avoid disqualification.

University/Institution Details

SEARCA partners with premier universities in Southeast Asia to provide scholars with access to world-class education and research facilities. Eligible study posts include:

• Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB), Bogor, Indonesia
• Universitas Brawijaya (UB), Malang, Indonesia
• Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Yogyakarta, Indonesia
• Kasetsart University (KU), Bangkok, Thailand
• Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
• University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines

Some joint scholarships may also include partner institutions outside Southeast Asia under specific programs.

Study Areas (Available Program Names)

SEARCA Graduate Scholarship primarily target master’s and PhD programs in agriculture and related sciences, including but not limited to:

• Agricultural Sciences
• Forestry
• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• Environmental Science
• Biological Sciences
• Statistics relevant to agriculture
• Social Sciences related to agriculture and rural development

Applicants are expected to focus their thesis or dissertation research on SEARCA’s priority areas, such as increasing farmers’ income, improving food security and nutrition, promoting climate resilience in agricultural systems, and empowering agricultural stakeholders.

SEARCA Graduate Scholarship Benefits

The SEARCA Graduate Scholarship offers comprehensive support:

• Full tuition and school fees coverage
• Monthly stipend of approximately USD 500 for living expenses (food, lodging, and incidentals)
• Health insurance throughout the study duration
• Round-trip airfare between the scholar’s home country and host institution
• Thesis or dissertation support grants
• Book and supplies allowance
• Travel allowance for domestic and international travel related to studies
• Research funding for PhD dissertation (up to USD 4,500 for PhD Research Scholarship)

Benefits Not Included

The scholarship does not typically cover:

• Personal expenses beyond the living allowance
• Dependents’ expenses (e.g., family living costs, spouse, or children)
• Expenses related to visa applications or documentation processing
• Costs for leisure, entertainment, or non-academic travel

Eligibility Criteria for the SEARCA Graduate Scholarship

To qualify for the SEARCA Graduate Scholarship 2026, applicants must:

• Be a national of a SEAMEO member country listed above
• Be a regular employee of an academic or research institution or government agency in their home country
• Be under 40 years old for Master’s programs or 45 years old for PhD programs at the time of application
• Pursue programs related to agriculture or allied fields as outlined in the scholarship announcement
• Submit a thesis or dissertation proposal aligned with SEARCA’s priority thrusts on sustainable agricultural systems transformation
• Have applied for admission to at least three SEARCA-accredited universities from the study posts listed
• Demonstrate English proficiency with valid IELTS or TOEFL scores where required
• Visit the joint scholarship pages and PhD research scholarship page to know more about the specific eligibility criteria.

Required Documents for the Application

Applicants need to prepare and upload the following, all in English or with official translations:

• Completed online SEARCA Scholarship Application Form
• Letter of admission or acceptance from a SEARCA-accredited university (preferred)
• Original or certified true copy of academic transcripts (Bachelor’s for MS applicants; Bachelor’s and Master’s for PhD applicants)
• Certification of employment from the current employer
• Detailed research proposal describing the intended thesis or dissertation research
• Two recent passport-sized photographs
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Medical certificate confirming fitness for graduate study
• Official endorsement letter from employer
• Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 75 or equivalent)

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SEARCA Graduate Scholarship Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Confirm Eligibility: Review SEARCA’s official website and scholarship announcements to ensure you meet criteria.
2. Prepare Required Documents: Gather transcripts, certificates, endorsements, CV, research proposal, and language test results.
3. Apply to Universities: Submit applications to at least three SEARCA-accredited universities to secure admission or conditional acceptance.
4. Complete SEARCA Online Application: Fill out the scholarship application form, upload documents, and submit before the deadline.
5. Submit Applications to Your Ministry: Provide a printed copy of your online application with supporting documents to your Ministry of Education/Higher Education for endorsement.
6. Wait for Interview and Selection: Qualified applicants will be invited for an interview as part of the selection process.
7. Receive Notification: Selected scholars will be notified and given further instructions for enrollment and scholarship activation.

Tips for a Successful Application

• Start early to meet application deadlines comfortably.
• Write a clear, focused research proposal aligned with SEARCA’s priorities.
• Secure strong recommendation and endorsement letters from credible institutions.
• Prepare thoroughly for interviews, demonstrating your commitment to agriculture and regional development.
• Maintain accurate, complete documents and meet all requirements as stated.
• Stay updated by regularly checking SEARCA’s official website and announcements.

Monthly Living Expenses for International Students in Southeast Asia (in USD)

Living costs vary by country, but international students in Southeast Asia typically need around USD 350 to 700 per month to cover essentials such as accommodation, food, local transportation, and utilities. For example:

• Accommodation (on-campus dormitory): USD 150-250/month
• Food and groceries: USD 150-250/month
• Local transportation and other expenses: USD 50-100/month

SEARCA’s monthly stipend of USD 500 aims to comfortably cover these expenses while allowing scholars to focus on their studies.

Why Choose This Scholarship? Five Compelling Reasons

1. Full Financial Support: Covers tuition, living allowance, health insurance, travel, and research costs, minimizing financial burden.
2. Prestigious Regional Recognition: SEARCA is a well-established institution with a 50+ year history of promoting agricultural development in Southeast Asia.
3. Access to Top Universities: Scholarship holders study at leading agricultural universities in the region with cutting-edge resources.
4. Strong Alumni Network: Join a community of accomplished scholars contributing to transformative agricultural innovation.
5. Focus on Impactful Research: Support for thesis/dissertation aligned with increasing food security, climate resilience, and farmers’ empowerment in Southeast Asia.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Scholarship

Q: Who can apply for the SEARCA Graduate Scholarship?
A: Nationals of SEAMEO member countries who are regular employees of academic, research, or government institutions and meet age and program requirements are eligible.

Q: Is English proficiency required?
A: Yes. Applicants must provide recent IELTS or TOEFL scores to demonstrate English proficiency.

Q: When is the application deadline for 2026?
A: The deadline is September 30, 2025.

Q: Which universities can I choose for my studies?
A: SEARCA-accredited universities include IPB, UB, UGM (Indonesia), Kasetsart University (Thailand), UPM (Malaysia), and UPLB (Philippines), among others.

Q: Does the scholarship cover family or dependent expenses?
A: No, the scholarship does not cover expenses related to dependents.

Q: How do I apply?
A: Submit your admission applications to SEARCA-accredited universities, complete the SEARCA online application, and send your documents for endorsement to your Ministry of Education.

Official Link:

Embark on your journey to becoming a future agricultural leader with the SEARCA Graduate Scholarship 2026. With its robust support and prestigious network, this scholarship is your gateway to impactful education and research in Southeast Asia’s vital agricultural sector.

For more details and to apply, visit the official SEARCA scholarship portal before the September 30, 2025 deadline.