SEARCA Travel Grants of $1,200 for 2026 Session (Complete Guide)

The SEARCA Travel Grants Program 2026 is now open, offering up to USD 1,200 in funding for researchers, graduate students, and agricultural professionals across Southeast Asia. This grant supports participation in international conferences, scientific forums, and research dissemination events, helping strengthen regional collaboration in agriculture and sustainable development.

Degree Level

The SEARCA Travel Grants are open to:

Bachelor’s degree (final-year students in select cases)
Master’s degree students
PhD / Doctoral candidates
Postdoctoral researchers
Academic faculty members
Research and development professionals

Available Subjects

Applicants must be engaged in research related to agriculture and development. Priority fields include:

Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences
Agronomy and Crop Science
Animal Science and Veterinary Studies
Environmental Science
Climate Change and Climate Resilience
Food Security and Nutrition
Rural Development
Agricultural Economics
Social Sciences related to agriculture
Sustainable Development and Innovation

Benefits

Selected applicants may receive funding covering:

Conference or forum registration fees
International or domestic airfare
Accommodation expenses
Meals and daily subsistence
Local transportation
Visa application fees
Event materials and documentation costs
Other approved research travel expenses

Note: Maximum support per applicant: USD 1,200

Eligible Nationalities

Applicants must be citizens of Southeast Asian countries:

Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
Indonesia
Lao PDR
Malaysia
Myanmar
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Vietnam

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, applicants must:

Be a citizen of an eligible Southeast Asian country
Be a researcher, graduate student, faculty member, or development professional
Have an accepted paper or research presentation (preferred)
Be involved in agriculture or development-related research
Demonstrate relevance of the conference to their research work
Show potential for academic or policy impact

Priority Applicants:

SEARCA fellows and scholars
University consortium members
Researchers involved in SEARCA projects
Graduate students in agriculture-related institutions
Development organization staff

Application Procedure

Applicants must follow these steps:

Prepare documents
- CV / Resume
- Abstract or accepted paper
- Conference invitation or acceptance letter
- Budget estimate
- Endorsement letter (if required)
Submit online application
- Apply through the official SEARCA application portal
Evaluation process
- Review based on research relevance and impact
- Priority given to paper presenters
Selection results
- Notification sent to selected candidates via email
Post-award requirements
- Submit travel report
- Acknowledge SEARCA support in presentations
- Share research output or policy brief

Application Timeline 2026

Deadline: 31 August 2026
Evaluation Period: Early September 2026
Results Announcement: Mid to late September 2026
Travel Period: Based on conference schedules

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can undergraduate students apply for SEARCA Travel Grants?

Yes, but preference is given to graduate students (Master’s and PhD). Final-year undergraduates may be considered in special cases.

Is it necessary to present a paper at a conference?

Yes, applicants presenting research papers are prioritized. However, participation without a paper may be considered if it has strong institutional value.