2026 ASEAN-Korea Young Scholar Research Grant: Fully Funded Fieldwork Support for Master’s and PhD Researchers

Applications are now open for the 2026 ASEAN-Korea Young Scholar Research Grant (YSRG), an academic research funding opportunity designed to support postgraduate researchers from ASEAN Member States and the Republic of Korea who are pursuing research related to Southeast Asia, ASEAN, and ASEAN-Korea relations.

Organized by the Korean Association of Southeast Asian Studies (KASEAS) as part of the ASEAN-Korea Platform for Great Minds (AKPGM) project, the 2026 Young Scholar Research Grant provides selected researchers with financial and academic support to undertake fieldwork that contributes to a deeper understanding of Southeast Asian societies, regional developments, and ASEAN-Korea relations.

The AKPGM project is supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea through the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF).

Successful applicants can receive round-trip international airfare, a monthly fieldwork stipend of USD 1,400 for up to three months, support for a local research advisor, and participation in an online Young Scholar Research Workshop.

Eligible postgraduate researchers interested in conducting locally grounded research in Southeast Asia should carefully review the requirements and prepare their applications before the 5 September 2026 application deadline.

About the 2026 ASEAN-Korea Young Scholar Research Grant

The ASEAN-Korea Young Scholar Research Grant (YSRG) is intended to help develop the next generation of scholars specializing in Southeast Asian and ASEAN-related studies.

Rather than supporting research that exists only within the classroom or university environment, the program places particular importance on fieldwork and locally grounded research. This approach allows postgraduate researchers to develop their academic work through direct engagement with the societies, institutions, communities, issues, and regional dynamics they are studying.

The grant particularly seeks to advance knowledge and academic exchange in areas including:

• Southeast Asian Studies
• ASEAN Studies
• ASEAN-Korea Studies
• Southeast Asian societies
• Regional issues affecting Southeast Asia
• ASEAN-Korea relations
• Broader political, social, cultural, economic, and regional dynamics relevant to Southeast Asia

Through the grant, researchers have an opportunity to strengthen their postgraduate research while contributing to broader academic understanding of Southeast Asia and relations between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea.

Financial Benefits of the 2026 Young Scholar Research Grant

One of the major features of the ASEAN-Korea Young Scholar Research Grant is the financial support available for approved fieldwork.

Selected grantees will receive the following benefits:

1. Round-Trip International Airfare

The program provides round-trip international airfare for approved fieldwork.

This support can significantly reduce one of the major financial barriers facing postgraduate students who need to travel internationally to conduct research.

Applicants should ensure that their proposed fieldwork destination and activities are clearly connected to their research objectives.

2. USD 1,400 Monthly Fieldwork Stipend

Selected researchers will receive a monthly fieldwork stipend of USD 1,400 for up to three months.

For a grantee receiving the stipend for the maximum three-month period, this represents up to USD 4,200 in fieldwork stipend support.

The duration of support will depend on the approved fieldwork arrangements under the program.

3. USD 200 Honorarium for Local Research Advisors

The program also provides an honorarium of USD 200 for local research advisors.

Having access to locally knowledgeable academic or research support can be particularly valuable for international fieldwork. Local advisors may help researchers better understand the academic, institutional, cultural, or practical context surrounding their research.

4. Young Scholar Research Workshop

Selected grantees will also participate in the Young Scholar Research Workshop, which will be conducted online.

This academic component complements the financial support offered by the grant and provides an opportunity for young scholars to participate in research-oriented academic exchange.

Who Can Apply for the 2026 ASEAN-Korea Young Scholar Research Grant?

Applicants must satisfy several nationality, enrollment, and research requirements.

Nationality Requirement

Applicants must be nationals of an ASEAN Member State or the Republic of Korea.

This means the program is specifically targeted toward postgraduate researchers from ASEAN countries and South Korea rather than being an unrestricted global research grant.

Academic Enrollment Requirement

Applicants must currently be enrolled in either:

• A Master’s degree programme, or
• A doctoral programme

The programme must be at a recognized institution located in ASEAN or the Republic of Korea.

Applicants should therefore note that simply holding an undergraduate degree or having an interest in Southeast Asian Studies is not sufficient. The opportunity specifically targets postgraduate researchers who are currently pursuing Master’s or doctoral studies.

A Certificate of Enrollment is among the documents required as part of the application.

Eligible Areas of Research

Proposed research must be relevant to one or more of the following broad academic areas:

• Southeast Asian Studies
• ASEAN Studies
• ASEAN-Korea Studies
• Research concerning Southeast Asian societies
• Regional issues involving Southeast Asia
• ASEAN-Korea relations

The program is therefore suitable for postgraduate researchers whose work contributes meaningfully to understanding Southeast Asia and its broader regional relationships.

Applicants should ensure that their research proposal clearly explains how the project contributes to one or more of these fields.

Simply mentioning Southeast Asia without demonstrating a meaningful academic connection may not be sufficient, particularly because the relevance of the proposed research is one of the stated evaluation criteria.

Regional Representation in the Selection Process

The program seeks to encourage balanced regional representation.

According to the grant guidelines, the selection committee generally aims to award up to one grant per ASEAN Member State and the Republic of Korea.

However, this should not be interpreted as an automatic allocation of one grant to every eligible country.

Awards remain subject to the quality of applications received.

Applicants will therefore still need to submit academically strong, original, relevant, and feasible research proposals.

Selection Priorities Applicants Should Understand

Meeting the basic eligibility criteria does not necessarily mean that every eligible proposal will receive equal priority.

The program has identified several selection priorities that applicants should carefully consider when developing their applications.

Priority for Applicants Studying in Their Home Countries

Priority will be given to applicants who are enrolled at institutions in their home countries.

This does not necessarily mean that eligible students studying elsewhere within ASEAN or the Republic of Korea cannot apply. Rather, institutional affiliation in the applicant’s home country is specifically identified as a selection priority.

Applicants should distinguish between eligibility requirements and selection priorities when assessing their chances.

Research Beyond the Applicant’s Own National Context Is Encouraged

Applications can propose research concerning any country or region in Southeast Asia.

However, an important objective of the grant is to encourage Southeast Asian Studies as the study of Southeast Asia beyond an applicant’s own national setting.

Consequently, lower priority may be given to proposals that focus exclusively on the applicant’s home country or on the country where the applicant is currently enrolled.

For example, a researcher may strengthen the regional dimension of a proposal by examining:

• Cross-border developments
• Comparative Southeast Asian issues
• Regional institutions
• ASEAN cooperation
• Relationships between different Southeast Asian societies
• ASEAN-Korea relations
• Regional political, social, economic, or cultural dynamics

Applicants should not artificially broaden a research topic merely to satisfy this priority. Instead, where academically appropriate, proposals should demonstrate how the research contributes to a wider understanding of Southeast Asia.

Are STEM Research Proposals Eligible?

Applicants from Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics disciplines should pay particular attention to the program’s research scope.

The Young Scholar Research Grant is primarily intended to support Southeast Asian Studies and related area studies research.

Therefore, proposals that are primarily:

• Technical,
• Laboratory-based, or
• Exclusively focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

are not eligible under the normal scope of the grant.

There is, however, a limited interdisciplinary exception.

A STEM-related research project may potentially be considered when it demonstrates strong interdisciplinary engagement with the social sciences or humanities and makes a clear contribution to understanding Southeast Asia or ASEAN-Korea relations.

Applicants proposing interdisciplinary research should make this connection explicit and substantive in their research proposal.

How Applications Will Be Evaluated

Applications for the 2026 ASEAN-Korea Young Scholar Research Grant will be assessed according to several important criteria.

Understanding these criteria can help applicants prepare stronger research proposals.

1. Academic Quality, Originality and Significance

The proposed research should demonstrate strong academic quality.

Applicants should clearly communicate:

• What they intend to investigate
• Why the research question is important
• What gap or issue the research addresses
• How the project contributes to existing knowledge
• What makes the proposed research original
• Why the findings could be academically significant

2. Relevance to Southeast Asian, ASEAN or ASEAN-Korea Studies

Applicants need to demonstrate a clear connection between their proposed research and the program’s academic objectives.

Relevant projects should contribute to:

• Southeast Asian Studies,
• ASEAN Studies, or
• ASEAN-Korea Studies.

The relationship between the proposed fieldwork and these areas should be clearly established within the research proposal.

3. Quality and Feasibility of the Proposed Fieldwork

A strong research idea must also be practical.

The selection process will consider whether the proposed fieldwork can realistically be completed within the available period and whether the planned activities are appropriate for answering the research questions.

Applicants should therefore develop a fieldwork plan that is focused, achievable, and logically connected to their research methodology.

4. Research Capacity and Preparedness

The applicant’s own research capacity and level of preparation will also be assessed.

This makes the overall quality of the application important. The research proposal, CV, academic history, enrollment information, and other supporting documents should collectively demonstrate that the applicant is adequately prepared to conduct the proposed research.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must prepare and upload several documents as part of the application.

The required documents are:

1. Research Proposal
2. Host Institution Introduction (Fieldwork Site)
3. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
4. Certificate of Enrollment from the current or most recent academic institution
5. Academic Transcript, including records up to the most recent semester

Applicants should prepare these materials carefully and ensure that all information is accurate and consistent across the application.

Research Proposal

The research proposal is likely to be one of the most important components because the evaluation criteria place considerable emphasis on academic quality, originality, significance, relevance, feasibility, and research preparedness.

Applicants should ensure their proposal clearly communicates the research problem, objectives, significance, methodology, fieldwork plan, and relevance to the grant’s focus.

Host Institution Introduction

Applicants are also required to submit information introducing the host institution associated with the fieldwork site.

Applicants should follow the official application form and any accompanying instructions when preparing this requirement.

Curriculum Vitae

The CV should provide an organized overview of the applicant’s academic and relevant research background.

Applicants should ensure that the information presented is current at the time of application.

Certificate of Enrollment

A Certificate of Enrollment is required to establish the applicant’s academic status.

Because applicants must be currently enrolled in a Master’s or doctoral programme at a recognized institution in ASEAN or the Republic of Korea, this document is particularly important for demonstrating eligibility.

Academic Transcript

Applicants must also provide an academic transcript containing records through the most recent semester.

Applicants should make sure that the submitted transcript is sufficiently current and meets any specifications provided through the official application system.

How to Apply for the 2026 ASEAN-Korea Young Scholar Research Grant

Applications must be submitted through the program’s official online application form.

Applicants should complete the online form and upload the required supporting documents as instructed.

Before submitting an application, candidates should:

1. Confirm that they satisfy the nationality requirements.
2. Confirm that they are currently enrolled in an eligible Master’s or doctoral programme.
3. Ensure that their proposed research falls within an eligible research area.
4. Review the program’s research and institutional selection priorities.
5. Prepare a strong and feasible research proposal.
6. Prepare the host institution introduction.
7. Update their CV.
8. Obtain their Certificate of Enrollment.
9. Obtain an academic transcript covering the most recent semester.
10. Review all application materials for accuracy and completeness.
11. Submit the complete application through the official online application form before the deadline.

Applicants should avoid waiting until the final day to prepare or upload their documents, particularly if official academic records need to be obtained from their university.

APPLY NOW

2026 ASEAN-Korea Young Scholar Research Grant Deadline

The application deadline is 5 September 2026.

Applications and all required documents should be completed and submitted through the official application system by the stated deadline.

Applicants should pay particular attention to this date because incomplete or late applications may not receive consideration under the selection process.

Important Dates and Timeline

The announced schedule for the 2026 program is as follows:

• Application Deadline: 5 September 2026
• Results Announcement: Fourth week of October 2026
• Orientation: Second week of November 2026
• Fieldwork Period: Late November 2026 to April 2027

Applicants who are selected should therefore be prepared for orientation in November and for approved fieldwork to take place during the period extending from late November 2026 through April 2027.

Why Postgraduate Researchers Should Consider This Opportunity

Fieldwork can be one of the most valuable components of postgraduate research, but it can also be financially difficult to undertake, particularly when international travel is required.

The ASEAN-Korea Young Scholar Research Grant addresses several of these barriers by combining financial support with academic engagement.

The opportunity is particularly significant because it provides:

• International airfare for approved fieldwork
• A substantial monthly fieldwork stipend
• Support for engagement with a local research advisor
• An academic workshop
• Opportunities for locally grounded research
• Support for emerging Southeast Asianists
• An emphasis on regional and cross-national research
• Opportunities to strengthen understanding of ASEAN-Korea relations

For Master’s and doctoral researchers whose projects require field-based investigation in Southeast Asia, these benefits can provide valuable support for developing more rigorous and regionally informed research.

Tips for Preparing a Competitive Application

Applicants should remember that satisfying the eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection.

The stated evaluation criteria and selection priorities indicate that applicants should focus particularly on the quality and relevance of their research.

A competitive application should clearly demonstrate:

• A well-defined research question
• Academic originality
• The significance of the proposed research
• Clear relevance to Southeast Asia, ASEAN, or ASEAN-Korea relations
• A realistic fieldwork methodology
• A feasible research schedule
• Evidence of research preparedness
• A meaningful reason for conducting fieldwork at the proposed location
• A strong connection between fieldwork activities and research objectives
• Where appropriate, a regional or comparative perspective extending beyond the applicant’s immediate national context

Applicants proposing interdisciplinary work involving STEM should also clearly establish its substantive connection to social science or humanities research and explain how the project contributes to understanding Southeast Asia or ASEAN-Korea relations.

Conclusion

The 2026 ASEAN-Korea Young Scholar Research Grant presents a valuable opportunity for Master’s and doctoral researchers from ASEAN Member States and the Republic of Korea to receive financial and academic support for fieldwork focused on Southeast Asia, ASEAN, and ASEAN-Korea relations.

With round-trip international airfare, a USD 1,400 monthly fieldwork stipend for up to three months, a USD 200 honorarium for local research advisors, and participation in the Young Scholar Research Workshop, the program provides substantial support for emerging researchers seeking to conduct locally grounded academic research.

Applicants should pay close attention not only to the basic eligibility requirements but also to the program’s selection priorities. In particular, proposals demonstrating academic originality, strong relevance to Southeast Asian Studies, feasible fieldwork, research preparedness, and meaningful engagement with Southeast Asia beyond an exclusively domestic perspective may align particularly well with the objectives of the grant.

Interested postgraduate researchers should prepare the required research proposal, host institution introduction, CV, Certificate of Enrollment, and academic transcript and submit their application through the official online application form.

Application Deadline: 5 September 2026.

Visit the OFY website for more Grant Opportunities.