SEARCA Travel Grants Program 2026 for Southeast Asian Agriculture Professionals

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) offers a Travel Grants Program that provides funding of up to USD 1,200 to support professionals, social scientists, and graduate students across Southeast Asia in participating in scientific conferences and forums. Whether the event is held locally, internationally, or online, this grant helps you share your research findings, connect with peers, and build the kind of professional networks that drive real change in agricultural systems across the region. For anyone working at the intersection of agriculture, rural development, and sustainable transformation in Southeast Asia, this is a grant worth pursuing.

This grant is specifically targeted at nationals of Southeast Asian countries who are actively engaged in agricultural research, development, or related disciplines. Priority is given to those who will be presenting a paper at a qualifying conference, though attendance for the purpose of establishing formal partnerships and collaborations can also be considered in select cases. If your work touches on food security, farmers’ income, climate resilience, or empowering agricultural communities, your research is exactly what SEARCA wants to see shared on a broader stage.

In this post, you will find a complete breakdown of the grant’s objectives, eligibility requirements, what costs are covered, how to apply, key deadlines across all four quarterly grant cycles, and practical tips to help your application stand out.

Scholarship Overview

Field	Information
Host Organization	SEARCA, Philippines
Grant Amount	Up to USD 1,200 per grantee
Funding Type	Travel/participation grant (not a scholarship)
Deadline	Quarterly (see Key Dates section)
Who Can Apply	Southeast Asian nationals in agriculture and related fields
Benefits Summary	Conference registration, airfare, accommodation, meals, local transport, visa fees (face-to-face); registration fees (online)

Eligibility

Citizenship: Applicants must be nationals of one of the ten Southeast Asian countries listed below. This requirement is strictly enforced.

Academic and Professional Qualifications: Applicants must be one of the following:

• Agriculture or agriculture-related professionals
• Social scientists working in relevant fields
• Graduate students at agricultural universities in Southeast Asia

Conference Requirement: Applicants must be presenting a scientific paper at a local or international scientific conference or forum, either in person or online. Priority is given to paper presentations. Poster presentations may be considered depending on the volume of applications received.

In exceptional cases, attendance without a paper presentation may be considered if the purpose is to establish formal institutional linkages, partnerships, or collaborations with meaningful development impact. Applicants under this category must provide concrete proof of ongoing negotiations or invitations between the parties involved.

Travel Scope: Priority is given to travel within the Southeast Asian region. Travel outside the region may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on how well the paper and purpose align with SEARCA’s selection criteria and grant objectives.

Re-application: Former travel grantees may re-apply only if their previous travel grant was awarded more than three years before their new application date.

Eligible Countries

This grant is exclusively available to nationals of the following Southeast Asian countries:

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

Eligible Fields of Study and Research

Eligible research and professional work must align with SEARCA’s priority thrusts and contribute to one or more of the following outcomes:

• Increased farmers’ income
• Improved food security and nutrition
• Greater climate resilience of agricultural systems
• Empowered farmers, farmer groups, and agricultural stakeholders and their institutions

Fields that typically qualify include agriculture, agribusiness, rural development, food systems, environmental and climate science, agricultural economics, social science in rural contexts, and related disciplines.

Research that does not connect to any of the four outcomes above is unlikely to be selected.

Benefits

The grant covers the following eligible cost items up to a combined maximum of USD 1,200 per grantee:

For Face-to-Face Conferences:

• Conference registration fees and materials
• Airfare (economy class is standard; 
• Accommodation and board and lodging
• Local transportation
• Meals not covered by the event
• Visa application fees

For Online Conferences:

• Conference registration fees and materials only

Note: The total grant must not exceed USD 1,200 regardless of the combination of eligible costs incurred. Plan your budget accordingly before submitting your application.

Required Documents

All applications must be submitted through the SEARCA Grants Information System online. The following documents are required:

1. Online application form completed fully through the SEARCA Grants Information System
2. Letter of interest addressed to Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, Center Director, SEARCA, College, Los Banos, 4031 Laguna, Philippines
3. Recommendation letter from your immediate supervisor, head of department, or major professor (if applicable)
4. Two-page summary of the paper to be presented (single-spaced, A4 format)
5. Copy of the conference organizer’s official letter of acceptance of your paper for presentation
6. Copy of the conference program
7. Detailed breakdown of the estimated budget for your participation
8. Applicant’s curriculum vitae (CV)
9. Proof or copy of funding support from other organizations (required only if travel is outside Southeast Asia)

For applicants who are not presenting a paper but attending to establish formal partnerships: Items 4 and 5 above are not required. Instead, you must provide concrete proof of recent and ongoing negotiations, liaisons, or invitations between the relevant institutions, demonstrating that a face-to-face meeting is likely to produce collaboration or mutually beneficial outcomes.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm you are a national of one of the eleven eligible Southeast Asian countries and that your paper or professional purpose aligns with at least one of SEARCA’s four priority outcomes.

Step 2: Receive official acceptance of your paper from the conference organizer. This acceptance letter is a required document, so apply for the grant only after you have confirmation from the conference.

Step 3: Obtain a recommendation letter from your immediate supervisor, department head, or major professor. Give them sufficient time to write a meaningful letter.

Step 4: Prepare a two-page single-spaced summary of your paper on an A4 sheet. Make sure it clearly reflects how your research connects to SEARCA’s priority thrusts.

Step 5: Prepare a detailed estimated budget covering all eligible cost items for your conference participation. Keep the total within the USD 1,200 maximum.

Step 6: Update your CV to reflect your most current academic and professional profile.

Step 7: Create an account on the SEARCA Grants Information System online portal. Do not submit by email or hard copy. Those will not be processed.

Step 8: Fill in the online application form completely and upload all required documents in the system.

Step 9: Submit your application before the deadline for the quarter in which your conference travel falls. Refer to the grant cycle schedule below to confirm your correct deadline.

Step 10: Monitor your email and the system for notifications. Due to the high volume of applications received per quarter, only shortlisted applicants will be notified.

Step 11: If selected, acknowledge SEARCA in your paper presentation using the PowerPoint template they provide.

Step 12: After the conference, submit all post-event requirements through the SEARCA Grants Information System within seven days of the event.

Key Dates and Timeline

The SEARCA Travel Grant operates on a quarterly cycle following the fiscal year, which runs from July 1 to June 30.

Quarter	Travel Period	Application Deadline	Processing and Shortlisting	Evaluation	Notification
1st Quarter	July to September	31 May	1st week of June	2nd week of June	3rd week of June
2nd Quarter	October to December	31 August	1st week of September	2nd week of September	3rd week of September
3rd Quarter	January to March	30 November	1st week of December	2nd week of December	3rd week of December
4th Quarter	April to June	28 February	1st week of March	2nd week of March	3rd week of March

Apply in the quarter that corresponds to when your conference travel will take place, not when you are applying.

Application Deadline

The deadline for each quarterly round is as follows:

• Travel in July to September: Deadline is 31 May
• Travel in October to December: Deadline is 31 August
• Travel in January to March: Deadline is 30 November
• Travel in April to June: Deadline is 28 February

Applications submitted after the relevant quarterly deadline will NOT be accepted.

Selection Criteria

Alignment with SEARCA Priorities: Your paper must clearly connect to at least one of SEARCA’s four priority outcomes: farmers’ income, food security and nutrition, climate resilience, or empowered agricultural stakeholders. Applications that do not demonstrate this alignment will not progress.

Quality and Significance of the Research: The scientific rigor, relevance, and potential impact of your paper on Southeast Asian agricultural systems will be evaluated by the committee.

Priority Applicant Categories: SEARCA operates a tiered priority system for selection:

Priority 1 applicants include: SEARCA Fellows, SEARCA graduate scholarship alumni, researchers on SEARCA-implemented or coordinated projects, SEARCA Future Research Talents (SFRT) grantees, proponents from the University Consortium, currently ongoing SEARCA scholars, and faculty or staff of universities under SEARCA’s Institutional Development Assistance Program.

Priority 2 applicants include: regular staff of nonprofit development-oriented institutions and graduate students at agricultural universities in Southeast Asia that are not University Consortium members.

Travel Location: Priority is given to travel within Southeast Asia. Applications involving travel outside the region face a higher bar and must demonstrate exceptional alignment with SEARCA’s goals.

Post-Grant Commitment: Applicants are expected to acknowledge SEARCA in their presentation, produce a publishable article or policy brief, and share findings through SEARCA’s seminar or webinar series. Demonstrated commitment to these obligations strengthens your application.

Important Tips

1. Apply only after you have your acceptance letter. The conference organizer’s letter accepting your paper is a required document. Do not submit your application without it.
2. Frame your paper summary around SEARCA’s priorities. When writing your two-page paper summary, make sure the language and framing explicitly connect your research to SEARCA’s four priority outcomes. Do not assume the committee will make the connection themselves.
3. Apply in the correct quarter. Your application quarter should match when your travel will happen, not when you are submitting. Applying in the wrong quarter can result in delays or disqualification.
4. Keep your budget realistic and itemized. SEARCA requires a detailed budget breakdown. Be specific about each cost item and ensure the total does not exceed USD 1,200. Inflated or vague budgets weaken your application.
5. Priority 1 applicants have a real advantage. If you are a SEARCA Fellow, scholarship alumni, or part of the University Consortium, make sure your application clearly states this affiliation. It directly affects your ranking in the selection process.
6. Submit online only. Applications sent by email or hard copy will not be processed under any circumstances. Use the SEARCA Grants Information System exclusively.
7. Plan your post-event deliverables before you travel. The post-event requirements, including a travel report, publishable article, news write-up, PowerPoint file, and expense report with receipts, must all be submitted within seven days of the conference. Prepare your templates in advance so you are not scrambling after the event.
8. Contact SEARCA if you encounter system issues. If you experience technical problems with the online submission system, email travelgrants@searca.org immediately. Do not wait until the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply if I am only attending a conference and not presenting a paper? 

In most cases, paper presentation is required. However, SEARCA may consider attendance without a paper if the purpose is to establish formal institutional linkages or collaborations with strong development impact. You must provide concrete proof of ongoing negotiations or invitations between institutions to be considered under this exception.

Can I apply for travel to a conference outside Southeast Asia? 

Yes, but it will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You must also provide proof of any funding support received from other organizations for the trip. Priority is strongly given to travel within the region.

Can I apply again if I received a travel grant before? 

Yes, but only if your previous travel grant was awarded more than three years before your new application date.

How will I know if my application is shortlisted? 

SEARCA only notifies shortlisted applicants due to the high volume of applications received each quarter. If you do not hear from them after the notification week listed in the grant cycle schedule, your application was likely not shortlisted for that round.

Are poster presentations eligible for the grant? 

Poster presentations may be considered, but priority is given to oral paper presentations. Whether your poster presentation is accepted will depend on the volume and quality of applications in a given quarter.

What happens after I receive the grant and attend the conference? 

You must submit all post-event requirements through the SEARCA Grants Information System within seven days of the conference. These include a travel report, publishable article, presentation file, news article, and detailed expense report with original receipts and boarding passes.

Is the grant paid in advance or as a reimbursement? 

The source material does not specify whether the grant is disbursed before or after the conference. Contact SEARCA directly at rtld@searca.org for clarification.

Can graduate students from non-University Consortium institutions apply? 

Yes. Graduate students at agricultural universities in Southeast Asia that are not part of the University Consortium can apply but fall under Priority 2 in the selection process, meaning they may be ranked below Priority 1 applicants.

Official Link

Submit your application through the SEARCA Grants Information System: https://grants.searca.org

For inquiries, contact: Research and Thought Leadership Department, SEARCA Email: rtld@searca.org Email for travel grant specific inquiries: travelgrants@searca.org Tel: +63 49 554-9330 to 39 / +63 49 536-2290 / +63 2 8657-1300 to 02 (local 3400 to 3403)