Sejong University-SEARCA Joint Graduate Research Scholarship for Southeast Asian Countries

This partnership between Sejong University in Seoul, South Korea and SEARCA aims to increase the capacities of Southeast Asian scientists/researchers through the provision of a Joint Graduate Research Scholarship that will enable them to obtain MS/PhD degrees in the fields of Integrated Biological Sciences and Industry (e.g., Plant Breeding and Genetics), Bioresource Engineering (e.g., Plant pathology, QTL mapping, Tissue culture).

The scholarship is open to nationals of the regular member countries of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), namely: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam who are junior and mid-level executives, managers, researchers, or technical staff of government or non-governmental agencies and universities.

Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

The following are the scholarship eligibility criteria:

• Must be nationals of SEAMEO member countries who are regular junior and mid-level executives of government or non-governmental agencies and universities, managers, researchers, or technical staff holding core positions crucial in implementing plans of action, policies, and good business/management programs affecting biological sciences and agriculture, horticulture, and animal sciences at the national, regional, and international levels;
• Must not be more than 35 (Master's Degree) or 40 (PhD) years of age at the time of application;
• Areas of specialization that scholarship applicants must pursue should be in:
  • Integrated Biological Sciences and Industry (Plant Breeding and Genetics)
  • Bioresource Engineering (Plant pathology, QTL mapping, Tissue culture)
• Planned research must be in line with the thrust of SEARCA's Eleventh Five-Year Plan on Accelerating Transformation Through Agricultural Innovation (ATTAIN) with the following priority areas:
  • Agri-Business Models for Increased Productivity and Income
  • Sustainable Farming Systems and Natural Resource Management
  • Food and Nutrition Security
  • Transformational Leadership for Agricultural and Rural Development (ARD)
  • Gender and Youth Engagement in ARD
  • Enhanced ARD towards Climate Resilience
  • EcoHealth/One Health Applications to ARD

Application and Selection Procedure

Applicants must fill out online the Sejong University-SEARCA Joint Graduate Research Scholarship Application Form and upload a copy of all required documents.

The required documents to be submitted (in hard copy/printed form) should be in English or must have official translation in English:

1. 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. Applicants for MS degree should submit their original/certified true copy of Bachelor of Science (BS) transcript of records. PhD degree applicants should submit their original/certified true copy of BS and MS transcripts of records^*
2. Original or certified true copies of certificates of completion/diploma for every degree completed^**
3. Certificate of employment
4. Endorsement/Recommendation from employer
5. Updated curriculum vitae
6. Brief description (one to two pages only) of the proposed research to be conducted for thesis/dissertation. The research topic must be in line with SEARCA's overarching theme of Accelerating Transformation Through Agricultural Innovation (ATTAIN) with the following priority areas:
   • Agri-Business Models for Increased Productivity and Income
   • Sustainable Farming Systems and Natural Resource Management
   • Food and Nutrition Security
   • Transformational Leadership for Agricultural and Rural Development (ARD)
   • Gender and Youth Engagement in ARD
   • Enhanced ARD towards Climate Resilience
   • EcoHealth/One Health Applications to ARD
7. Two copies of passport-size photo of the applicant
8. Copy of applicant's passport biopage
9. Certification from a medical doctor that the applicant is in good physical and mental health condition and is fit to undertake graduate studies
10. Proof of English proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL iBT test scores are preferred)

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed online by Sejong University advisors. Only those who will be accepted by the advisors shall be instructed to apply for admission at Sejong University. Please take note of the following required documents by Sejong University:

• ^*Transcripts: English or notarized
• ^**Certificate of Graduation: Consulate approved or Apostile
• Copy of the applicant's parents' passports (can be replaced by any official document stating the parents' nationality)
• An official document that shows the parent-child relationship between the applicant and his/her parents (e.g. birth certificate)

To be awarded the scholarship, applicants must both have a Sejong University professor as advisor and an approved admission to their chosen degree program.

Scholarship Entitlements

The successful scholarship recipient is entitled to the following:

• Tuition and other school fees;
• Travel allowance to cover international airfare;
• Research budget;
• Health insurance; and
• Stipend for food, lodging and incidental expenses.

Contact Information

For inquiries, please contact: