DAAD and SEARCA jointly run this in-country and in-region graduate scholarship programme. It supports development-related Master’s or doctoral study at partner universities in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Candidates pursue food science or natural-resources and environmental programmes while preparing for teaching, research, or public-sector work in Southeast Asia.
The 2026 intake offered up to 25 scholarships across four Master’s and PhD calls. Study may take place in the applicant’s home country or elsewhere in the eligible Southeast Asian region.
Benefits & funding
- DAAD pays the agreed tuition amount directly to the host university; some institutional charges may fall outside full coverage under the funding agreement.
- Master’s scholars receive EUR 460 per year for study and research, EUR 400 once for printing, and EUR 500 per month for in-country study or EUR 600 per month for in-region study.
- PhD scholars receive EUR 920 per year for study and research, EUR 800 once for printing, and EUR 600 per month for in-country study or EUR 700 per month for in-region study.
- In-region awards include a flat-rate travel allowance, normally at the beginning and end of the scholarship, plus health-insurance arrangements described by the host.
- Scholars may separately apply for a funded two-to-six-month research stay in Germany; availability is conditional and the stay must fit within the regular scholarship period.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be nationals or permanent residents of Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, or Vietnam.
- Master’s applicants need an above-average first academic degree from a programme lasting at least three years; PhD applicants need an above-average two-year Master’s degree or equivalent.
- Applicants should be public-university staff, candidates being considered for teaching or research recruitment, public-sector personnel, or DAFI programme alumni.
- The age limit at application is 40 for Master’s candidates and 45 for PhD candidates.
- The most recent university degree must have been completed no more than six years before application.
- English proficiency requires TOEFL iBT 80 or IELTS 6.0; when testing is unavailable, the programme page allows an equivalent certification from the previous study institution.
- Proposed research must address sustainable transformation of agricultural systems through innovation and contribute to farmer income, food security and nutrition, climate resilience, or stronger farmer and agricultural institutions.
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Bachelor · Master
Appears to have an age limit “up to 25”
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Application process
- 1Select an eligible Master’s or PhD programme and partner university, then check the host’s admission requirements.
- 2Apply for university admission or obtain proof that an admission application has been submitted.
- 3Complete the SEARCA portal application and upload the required English-language documents, including academic records, identification, recommendations, motivation materials, employment evidence, health certification, and research materials.
- 4Complete the matching DAAD portal application by its deadline; applicants already submitted through the general SEARCA call did not need to resubmit to SEARCA for the latest cycle.
- 5Confirm that both required submissions and all degree-specific documents are complete before their respective portals close.
Program timeline
DAAD portal application period opened for the 2026 call.
Dec 1, 2025
Extended SEARCA portal deadline.
Jan 30, 2026, 11:59 p.m. GMT+8
DAAD portal deadline confirmed by the official NRM Master and Food Science PhD calls.
Feb 17, 2026
Selection was generally expected to take place.
April 2026
Regional decisions were generally expected after selection.
Approximately May 2026
Scholarship study was usually expected to begin.
August–October 2026