Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Travel Grants Program.
The SEARCA Travel Grants Program supports Southeast Asian professionals, researchers, and graduate students to attend conferences that advance sustainable agricultural development.
Grants are available for paper presentations, poster presentations, or participation in scientific fora, emphasizing knowledge sharing, collaboration, and publishable outputs.
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) provides travel grants to enable knowledge dissemination, collaboration, and capacity building in sustainable agriculture.
The program focuses on:
- Enhancing scientific dialogue and collaboration among researchers, scholars, and development organizations.
- Promoting sustainable agricultural transformation through research outputs.
- Facilitating publishable outputs, including articles, policy briefs, and conference proceedings.
- Supporting Southeast Asian nationals in presenting at regional and international conferences, both online and in-person.
Eligible applicants must be nationals of Southeast Asian countries:
- Brunei Darussalam,
- Cambodia,
- Indonesia,
- Lao PDR,
- Malaysia,
- Myanmar,
- Philippines,
- Singapore,
- Thailand,
- Timor-Leste,
- Vietnam
Priority applicants include:
- SEARCA fellows, scholars, alumni
- Individuals affiliated with SEARCA-supported institutions or projects
Secondary priority applicants include:
- Staff of nonprofit development organizations
- Graduate students from non-consortium universities
Grant Details
Funding Amount: Up to USD 1,200 per applicant
Eligible Activities:
- Paper presentations (highest priority)
- Poster presentations
- Participation without presentation (considered if strong collaboration or development outcomes are expected)
- Supported Formats: In-person or online conferences and fora
How to Apply
Prepare Proposal: Submit a concise plan describing the conference, presentation, and expected outcomes.
Align Paper with SEARCA Priorities: Ensure your research addresses areas such as:
- Increasing farmers’ income
- Improving food security and nutrition
- Strengthening climate resilience
- Empowering agricultural stakeholders and institutions
Provide Documentation: Include conference acceptance, affiliation, and other relevant supporting materials.
Submit Application: Apply through the SEARCA online portal before the deadline.
Await Review: Applications are evaluated based on relevance, impact, and alignment with SEARCA priorities.
Tips for a Strong Application.
- Highlight relevance to sustainable agriculture in Southeast Asia.
- Emphasize potential for collaboration or linkages with other researchers and institutions.
- Include publishable outcomes, such as articles, policy briefs, or reports.
- Provide clear justification for funding, detailing travel, registration, and related costs.
FAQs
Who can apply for SEARCA travel grants?
- Southeast Asian nationals, including professionals, researchers, and graduate students.
Are online conferences eligible for funding?
- Yes, both in-person and online conference participation are eligible.
What type of presentations are prioritized?
- Paper presentations are prioritized, followed by poster presentations and collaborative participation.
How much funding can I request?
- Up to USD 1,200 per applicant.
Which research topics are eligible?
- Research must align with SEARCA priorities, including food security, climate resilience, farmer income, and stakeholder empowerment.
Can alumni of SEARCA apply?
- Yes, SEARCA fellows, scholars, and alumni are given priority consideration.
Is participation without a presentation considered?
- Yes, if the applicant can demonstrate strong collaborative or development outcomes.
The SEARCA Travel Grants Program enables Southeast Asian professionals and students to share research, foster collaborations, and contribute to sustainable agricultural development.
By supporting knowledge exchange and actionable outcomes, the program strengthens regional capacity to address agricultural challenges and advance scientific innovation.
For more information, visit SEARCA.
