SOUTHEAST ASIAN REGIONAL CENTER FOR GRADUATE STUDY AND RESEARCH IN AGRICULTURE (SEARCA)
SEARCA MS and PhD Scholarships
full · masters, phd
- Full tuition + stipendFunding type
- ~US$30,000 master's package (est.)Indicative value
- 11 SEAMEO member countriesEligible nationalities
- Master's and PhDDegree levels
- SEARCA partner universitiesWhere you study
- Agriculture and related fieldsSubject focus
At a glance
full
Funding
€0k
Max amount
Sep 30, 2026
Deadline
Brunei
Country
Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)
Provider
SEARCA, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, offers fully funded master's and PhD scholarships for the 2026/2027 academic year to citizens of its 11 SEAMEO member countries. SEARCA is headquartered in Los Banos, Laguna, in the Philippines, but the scholarships fund study at SEARCA partner universities across Southeast Asia in agriculture and related fields. The award package typically covers full tuition and school fees, a living allowance, research support, travel for fieldwork or conferences, and health insurance, so students can focus on their studies; a typical master's package runs to roughly ~US$30,000 (est.) over the programme depending on the host university and duration. Applications opened after a virtual information session on 21 July 2025 and are submitted through ISCHO, SEARCA's online scholarship portal, with a window from 1 August to 30 September. Master's applicants need a bachelor's degree in agriculture, environment, rural development, or a related field, while PhD applicants need a relevant master's degree, and all applicants submit a research topic aligned with SEARCA's priority thrusts. Confirm the exact benefits, partner universities, and deadline on the official SEARCA scholarship page before applying.
What's covered
- Tuition and school fees — Full coverage of tuition and other school fees at the chosen SEARCA partner university.
- Living allowance — A monthly stipend for living expenses across the programme; a typical master's package is worth roughly ~US$30,000 (est.).
- Research support — Funding for thesis or dissertation research aligned with SEARCA's priority thrusts.
- Travel — Travel expenses for fieldwork or conferences related to the research programme.
- Health insurance — Health insurance coverage, plus access to regional academic networking and collaboration opportunities.
How to apply
All applications are submitted online through ISCHO, SEARCA's official scholarship portal; offline submissions are not accepted.
- Prepare your research proposal — Draft a research topic aligned with SEARCA's priority thrusts before starting the application.
- Gather supporting documents — Collect transcripts, recommendation letters, and proof of citizenship.
- Register on ISCHO — Create an account on the ISCHO online scholarship portal at SEARCA.
- Complete the application — Fill in the application form and upload all required documents, checking for completeness.
- Submit before the deadline — Submit your application through ISCHO before the closing date of around 30 September.
Eligibility
NationalityCitizen of a SEAMEO member country: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, or Vietnam.
Master's applicantsHold a bachelor's degree in agriculture, environment, rural development, or a related field.
PhD applicantsHold a master's degree in a relevant field.
University admissionMeet the admission criteria of the chosen SEARCA partner university and submit a research topic aligned with SEARCA's priority thrusts.
Applicants from outside the SEAMEO member countries are not eligible. Strong academic performance, research skills, and leadership potential are valued in selection.
Eligible countries
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam
Deadlines
2026/2027 academic year~30 September 2026 (est.)
Selection
SEARCA reviews applications after the deadline and notifies selected candidates following the review process. Selection weighs academic performance, the strength of the research proposal and its alignment with SEARCA's priority thrusts, research skills, and leadership potential, alongside admission to a SEARCA partner university. Work experience is not mandatory but research experience is valued.
Verified sources
- SEARCA Scholarship (official)searca.orgofficial
- ISCHO Online Scholarship Portal (official)ischo.searca.orgofficial
About the provider
SEARCA, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, is one of the SEAMEO regional centres, established in 1966 and based in Los Banos, Philippines, supporting graduate study, research, and capacity building in agriculture and rural development across Southeast Asia.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the SEARCA MS/PhD Scholarship?
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Citizens of SEAMEO member countries who meet the academic requirements for master's or PhD study in agriculture or related fields.
Are these scholarships fully funded?
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Yes. They cover tuition, a living allowance, research expenses, travel, and health insurance.
Which universities can I study at?
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Any SEARCA partner university across Southeast Asia that admits you.
What documents are required?
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Academic transcripts, recommendation letters, a research proposal aligned with SEARCA priorities, and proof of citizenship.
How long is the scholarship valid?
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It covers the full duration of the master's or PhD programme at the chosen university, depending on programme requirements.
Can I apply if I am not from a SEAMEO member country?
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No. The scholarships are restricted to citizens of SEAMEO member countries only.
When will results be announced?
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SEARCA notifies selected candidates after the review process following the deadline of around 30 September.
Is prior work experience necessary?
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Work experience is not mandatory, but research experience and leadership potential are valued.
How do I submit my application?
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Through the ISCHO online portal; offline submissions are not accepted.
Can PhD applicants apply straight after a bachelor's degree?
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No. PhD applicants must have completed a relevant master's degree.
How much is the scholarship worth?
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It is fully funded; a typical master's package is worth roughly ~US$30,000 (est.), confirmed by the host university and SEARCA.
Where can I confirm the exact benefits and deadline?
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On the official SEARCA scholarship page, which is updated each cycle.