ASEAN- Korea Young Scholar Research Grand

The ASEAN- Korea Young Scholar Research Grand is a regional research opportunity supporting postgraduate researchers interested in Southeast Asian studies, ASEAN studies and ASEAN–Korea relations. The 2026 programme offers fieldwork funding, academic mentorship and opportunities to connect with researchers and institutions across the region.

The ASEAN Secretariat page supplied for this article is dated 3 October 2025 and only provides a general announcement with a link to the programme website. The current 2026 call is published by the ASEAN–Korea Platform for Great Minds (AKPGM), and the details below reflect that current call.

The ASEAN–Korea Young Scholar Research Grant is an annual research-support programme designed to help postgraduate researchers conduct field-based research connected to Southeast Asia, ASEAN and ASEAN–Korea relations.

The programme is implemented through the ASEAN–Korea Platform for Great Minds (AKPGM) and supported by the ASEAN–Korea Cooperation Fund. The initiative seeks to strengthen academic collaboration, support emerging researchers and build longer-term academic networks between ASEAN Member States and the Republic of Korea.

For the 2026 call, the programme is specifically seeking postgraduate researchers from ASEAN Member States and the Republic of Korea whose research can contribute to understanding Southeast Asia, regional dynamics or ASEAN–Korea relations.

The current programme information states that selected scholars will undertake fieldwork in ASEAN countries or Korea, providing an opportunity to develop research through direct engagement with communities, institutions and local academic networks.

The programme is particularly relevant for Master’s and doctoral researchers whose projects require substantial field-based research rather than exclusively desk-based or laboratory work.

Research Areas

The grant supports research connected to a broad range of Southeast Asian and ASEAN-related themes.

Eligible research can address:

Southeast Asian Studies
ASEAN Studies
ASEAN–Korea relations
Comparative research
Regional political and social issues
Southeast Asian societies
Regional development
ASEAN–ROK cooperation
Other research topics contributing to understanding Southeast Asia

The programme’s current call also highlights areas such as gender, climate change, sustainable development, cybersecurity and peacebuilding, as well as themes associated with the ASEAN Post-2025 Vision.

The programme is not intended primarily for technical or laboratory-based STEM research. The current guidelines state that primarily technical, laboratory-based or exclusively STEM proposals are generally not eligible unless they demonstrate strong interdisciplinary engagement with the social sciences or humanities and a clear contribution to understanding Southeast Asia or ASEAN–Korea relations.

Benefits

Successful applicants for the 2026 grant will receive several forms of support.

Fieldwork Funding

Selected researchers will receive support for approved fieldwork in ASEAN countries or the Republic of Korea.

The current call lists:

Round-trip international airfare
USD 1,400 monthly fieldwork stipend for up to three months
USD 200 honorarium for a local research advisor
Participation in the Young Scholar Research Workshop

The fieldwork support is particularly valuable for postgraduate researchers whose research requires travel, local engagement and data collection.

Academic Mentorship

The programme also provides an academic networking and mentorship dimension. Awardees can be affiliated with partner universities or research institutions during their fieldwork and receive local academic guidance.

This can help researchers establish connections with scholars and institutions in the countries where they conduct their research.

Research Workshop

Selected scholars are expected to participate in the ASEAN–Korea Young Scholar Workshop, where they can present research findings and interact with other emerging researchers and senior scholars.

This provides an opportunity to receive feedback while developing an international academic network.

Eligibility

The current 2026 ASEAN–Korea Young Scholar Research Grant states that applicants must meet several eligibility requirements.

Applicants must:

Be nationals of an ASEAN Member State or the Republic of Korea.
Currently be enrolled in a Master’s or doctoral programme.
Be studying at a recognized institution in ASEAN or the Republic of Korea.
Conduct research relevant to Southeast Asian Studies, ASEAN Studies or ASEAN–Korea Studies.
Undertake fieldwork connected to the proposed research.

The programme also places importance on regional representation. The current call indicates that the selection committee generally aims to award up to one grant per ASEAN Member State and the Republic of Korea, subject to the quality of applications received.

Researchers should also note that proposals focused exclusively on the applicant’s own country may receive lower priority or may not be eligible under the programme’s fieldwork rules. The programme encourages research that promotes cross-regional learning and broader understanding of Southeast Asia.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed on the quality and relevance of the proposed research.

The current 2026 call identifies criteria including:

Academic quality
Originality and significance of the research
Relevance to Southeast Asian, ASEAN or ASEAN–Korea studies
Quality and feasibility of the proposed fieldwork
Research capacity and preparedness

Priority may also be given to applicants enrolled at institutions in their home countries.

A strong application should therefore clearly explain the research question, methodology, importance of the project and why fieldwork is necessary.

Application Requirements

Applicants for the current call are required to prepare supporting materials including:

Research proposal
Host institution introduction for the fieldwork site
Curriculum vitae
Certificate of enrollment from the current or most recent academic institution
Academic transcript containing records up to the most recent semester

Researchers should ensure that their proposed fieldwork is realistic and clearly connected to the research objectives.

Application Deadline and Timeline

For the 2026 ASEAN–Korea Young Scholar Research Grant, the application deadline is:

5 September 2026

The current programme timeline indicates:

Application deadline: 5 September 2026
Results announcement: Fourth week of October 2026
Orientation: Second week of November 2026
Fieldwork: Late November 2026 to April 2027

Applicants should submit their materials before the deadline and carefully follow the application instructions provided by the programme.

How to Apply

Applications for the 2026 Young Scholar Research Grant are submitted through the online application process provided by the ASEAN–Korea Platform for Great Minds.

Visit the ASEAN–Korea Young Scholar Research Grant programme page

The programme’s current application announcement provides the online application form and detailed requirements.

Applicants should review the eligibility criteria and prepare their research proposal and supporting academic documents before beginning the application.

Additional Information

The ASEAN–Korea Young Scholar Research Grant is part of the broader ASEAN–Korea Platform for Great Minds, a multi-year initiative running from 2025 to 2028 and supported by the ASEAN–Korea Cooperation Fund. Its broader objective is to strengthen academic collaboration, expand knowledge about Southeast Asia and develop networks among emerging scholars.

The programme is therefore more than a fieldwork funding opportunity. It combines financial support with academic affiliation, mentorship, research presentation and regional networking.

Final Thoughts

The ASEAN– Korea Young Scholar Research Grant offers a valuable opportunity for Master’s and doctoral researchers whose work focuses on Southeast Asia, ASEAN or ASEAN–Korea relations.

For the 2026 call, successful applicants can receive fieldwork support, a monthly stipend, airfare assistance, local research-advisor support and opportunities to participate in an international academic workshop.

The application deadline is 5 September 2026, making early preparation important for researchers who need to develop a strong proposal and gather their academic documents.

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