BFAR ICCs/IPs Scholarship 2026 Application Guide 

Are you a member of an Indigenous Cultural Community or Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) looking for a scholarship to help you finish college?

The BFAR ICCs/IPs Scholarship provides financial assistance to qualified students who want to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries (BS Fisheries).

This guide covers everything you need to know about the BFAR ICCs/IPs Scholarship, including the qualifications, benefits, requirements, priority course, application process, and application deadline.

Qualifications:

Before applying for the BFAR ICCs/IPs Scholarship, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements set by BFAR. Applicants must satisfy the following qualifications to be considered for the scholarship.

• Must be a natural-born Filipino citizen;
• Any ALS/HS/SHS graduates/graduating students;
• Not more than 25 years old at the time of the examination, whether or not he has earned any units in college;
• Bona fide member of an ethno-linguistic group in his/her community duly recognized by the NCIP;
• For ALS/high school graduate applicants the general weighted average (GWA) shall not be lower than 75%;
• For graduating students under Kto12 program, Grade 11 GWA shall not be lower than 75% or its equivalent;
• Of good moral character as certified by the School Head/Principal and Community Resident Leader;
• Parent(s)/guardian(s) or the applicant must be physically residing in the municipality/ICCs of the Region for at least six (6) months, where the slot of the scholarship program is allotted;
• Parent(s)/guardian(s) must be a member of a particular tribe recognized by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
• Must come from the clan of “Pamulalakaw” (in charge of waters and water resources) certified by the Indigenous Political Structure (IPS) and Community Leader

Requirements:

To apply for the BFAR ICCs/IPs Scholarship applicants must prepare and submit all the required documents. Make sure that your requirements are complete and valid to avoid delays in the application process.

• Duly accomplished and signed FSP Application Form for the FSP-ICCs/IPs (Annex 4)
• Original or Certified True Copy of Birth Certificate issued either by PSA (formerly NSO) or Civil Registrar
• Certified True Copy of Report Card Form 138 or 137 (GWA of Grade 11 shall not be lower than 75%)
• Certification of good moral character from the School Registrar and Community Resident Leader
• Certificate of Confirmation (COC) issued by NCIP-Regional/Provincial Office
• Two (2) recent 2×2 pictures taken within the last three (3) months prior to filing of application; colored with white background (photos taken thru mobile phones may be allowed)
• Barangay Residence Certificate of the parent(s)/guardian(s)
• In case of guardianship, affidavit executed by the guardian(s) attesting that the applicant is his/her ward for at least five (5) years.

Benefits:

The BFAR ICCs/IPs Scholarship provides financial assistance to help qualified students complete their Bachelor of Science in Fisheries (BS Fisheries) degree. Below are the scholarship benefits and educational support available to qualified scholars.

• A full scholarship grant for college studies leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Fisheries
• Free matriculation and other school fees except for dormitory fee;
• Monthly stipend – Php 5,000.00
• Semestral book allowance – Php 2,000.00
• OJT Support- Php. 3,000.00
• Research/ Thesis/ Special Problem support – Php 7,000.00
• Graduation Support – Php 1,500.00

Priority Courses:

The BFAR ICCs/IPs Scholarship is designed to support qualified students who want to pursue a college degree in the fisheries field. Before applying, applicants should make sure that their chosen degree program is covered by the scholarship.

Under the program, the scholarship supports students who will enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Fisheries (BS Fisheries), which is the designated and eligible course for the scholarship.

Partner School:

The BFAR ICCs/IPs Scholarship does not have an official list of partner schools published by BFAR.

However, applicants should enroll in a college or university that offers the Bachelor of Science in Fisheries (BS Fisheries) and meets the admission requirements of their chosen institution.

Applicants are also encouraged to check with their BFAR Regional Office for any updates regarding eligible schools or scholarship guidelines.

Application Deadline:

If you plan to apply for the BFAR ICCs/IPs Scholarship, be sure to submit your application within the official application period. Late or incomplete applications may not be accepted.

The application period is from March 2, 2026, to July 31, 2026.

How to Apply:

Applying for the BFAR ICCs/IPs Scholarship is easy if you follow the application process and submit all the required documents. Follow the steps below to apply.

Step 1: Download the official ICCs/IPs Application Form from the BFAR Fisheries Scholarship Program page.

Step 2: Complete the application form by providing accurate and complete information.

Step 3: Prepare all the required supporting documents listed in the application form.

Step 4: Submit your completed application form and supporting documents through the submission method designated by your BFAR Regional Office. You may apply through the BFAR E-Scholarship Application System (when available), submit your documents to the email address provided by your BFAR Regional Office, or submit a printed copy to your Municipal Agriculture Office or the nearest BFAR Provincial Fisheries Office.

Step 5: Wait for the official announcement from BFAR regarding the evaluation of applications and the release of scholarship results.

About BFAR ICCs/IPs Scholarship:

The BFAR ICCs/IPs Scholarship is one of the scholarship programs under the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Fisheries Scholarship Program. It provides a full college scholarship to qualified and deserving members of Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) who want to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries (BS Fisheries).

The program aims to help eligible students complete their college education while developing skilled fisheries professionals who can contribute to the sustainable growth of the Philippine fisheries sector and their communities.

Final Thoughts:

The BFAR ICCs/IPs Scholarship is a great opportunity for qualified Indigenous students who want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries (BS Fisheries). Through this program, BFAR provides financial assistance to help deserving students complete their college education and prepare for a career in the fisheries sector.

If you meet the qualifications, make sure to prepare your application and complete all the required documents before the deadline. Staying updated with the latest announcements from BFAR and your respective BFAR Regional Office will help ensure that you do not miss any important information about the scholarship application and selection process.

If you’re interested in other scholarship opportunities, visit our Scholarship Program page for the latest updates and application guides.

Reference:

1. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. (2026). Fisheries Scholarship Program. https://www.bfar.da.gov.ph/opportunities/scholarship/ 
2. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. (2024). Application form: Fisheries Scholarship Program – Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs). https://www.bfar.da.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Application-Form-Fisheries-Scholarship-Program-Indigenous-Cultural-Communities-Indigenous-Peoples-ICCsIPs.pdf