Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development 2025 | Now Open for Application

Looking for an opportunity to study or conduct research in Canada? The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development Program is now open for applications, offering a chance to expand your academic experience while contributing to global development goals.

About Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development:

The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) program supports short-term study and research for ASEAN students in Canada. Launched by the Government of Canada, it promotes education, reduces poverty, and strengthens ties between both regions. Managed by Global Affairs Canada, the program relies on partnerships between Canadian and ASEAN institutions. Eligible students should check requirements and consult their institution’s international office.

Eligibility:

This scholarship program provides opportunities for students from ASEAN member states to study in Canada. To qualify, applicants and host institutions must meet specific eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants:

To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Citizenship: Must be a citizen of an ASEAN member state:
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Cambodia
  • Indonesia
  • Laos (Lao People’s Democratic Republic – Lao PDR)
  • Malaysia
  • Myanmar
  • The Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam
• Enrollment: Must be enrolled full-time at a post-secondary institution in an ASEAN member state
• Tuition Fees: Must be paying tuition fees to that institution at the time of application and for the full duration of their exchange

Ineligibility Criteria:

Candidates are NOT eligible for the scholarship if they:

• Hold or have a pending application for Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
• Are already participating in a scholarship program funded by the Government of Canada
• Are already enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program at a Canadian post-secondary institution Have previously received a scholarship under the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development Program

Eligibility Criteria for Canadian Host Institutions:

Canadian post-secondary institutions interested in hosting students under this scholarship must fulfill the following conditions:

• Designation: Must be a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
• Exchange Agreement: Must have a valid student exchange agreement with the student’s home institution that waives tuition fees for scholarship recipients (required for college/undergraduate study only)
• Application Processing: Must centralize all applications through their international office

Benefits:

The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development Program provides financial support for selected candidates based on the level of study and duration of the exchange.

College/Undergraduate Level

• Amount: $10,200
• Duration: Four months (one academic term)
• Coverage:
  • Study or research at the college or undergraduate level
  • A valid student exchange agreement that waives tuition fees is required

Graduate Level (Master’s and PhD)

• Amount: $10,200
• Duration: Four months (one academic term)
• Coverage:
  • Study or research at the graduate level (Master’s and PhD)
  • A student exchange agreement is not required

Application Process:

Applying for the SEED program involves several steps, including meeting eligibility requirements, submitting an application through a Canadian institution, and adhering to deadlines.

Application Deadline and Important Dates:

To be considered for the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development Program, applicants and their institutions must adhere to the following deadlines and requirements.

Application Deadline:

• Deadline for Canadian institutions: March 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
• Canadian institutions should set an earlier internal deadline for candidates and their home institutions to ensure timely submission of supporting documents.

Notification of Results:

• The scholarship administrator will notify Canadian institutions of successful applications in the spring.
• Unsuccessful applicants will not receive feedback.
• Canadian institutions are responsible for informing selected students of their acceptance.
• Applicants should contact their home institution or the Canadian institution for updates on their application status.

Arrival in Canada:

• Only Fall 2025 applications will be accepted.
• Selected candidates must arrive in Canada between August 1 and October 1, 2025.
• Failure to arrive within this period may result in the cancellation of the scholarship.
• Candidates should apply for their visa or study/work permit as early as possible to avoid delays.

Required Documents and Selection Criteria:

Applicants must ensure all documents are complete and accurate. Revised documents will not be accepted after the deadline. Documents in languages other than English or French must include a certified translation.

1. Proof of Citizenship

• A copy of the candidate’s passport or national identity card (must include a photo and valid dates).
  • Not accepted as proof of citizenship:
    • Driver’s license
    • Permanent residence card
    • Work permit
    • Student card
    • Health card
    • Birth certificate
    • Baptismal certificate
• The document submitted must match the citizenship selected in the online application form.

2. Signed Privacy Notice Statement

• A copy of the Privacy Notice Statement for non-Canadian participants.
• Must be signed by the candidate and dated within the last six months.

3. Letter of Intent from the Candidate (Maximum One Page)

• Explains the nature of studies or research to be undertaken.
• Provides rationale for studying in Canada, including:
  • Choice of institution, program, and supervisor.
  • Future career relevance.
  • Alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
  • How the study/research will help combat poverty and narrow the development gap in ASEAN.
• Identifies the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) aligned with the proposed research or study.
  • (Applications missing an SDG reference will be deemed incomplete.)
• Additional country-specific requirements:
  • Candidates from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, or Vietnam must explain how their learning in Canada will help combat poverty in their home country.
  • Candidates from Brunei or Singapore must explain how their learning in Canada will help combat poverty in another ASEAN country.

4. Letter of Proof of Full-Time Enrollment from the Home Institution

• Issued on official letterhead.
• Dated within the last six months.
• Confirms that the candidate is currently enrolled in a full-time program.
  • (Letters that do not confirm full-time status will be deemed incomplete and ineligible.)
• Not accepted as proof of enrollment:
  • Copies of transcripts
  • Student cards
  • Letters of admission

5. Letter of Support from the Home Institution (Maximum One Page)

• Issued on official letterhead.
• Dated within the last six months.
• Written by the candidate’s instructor, professor, or international director.
• Includes:
  • The nature of study or research to be undertaken in Canada.
  • How the candidate and home institution will benefit from the scholarship.
  • The candidate’s commitment and capacity to use their research/studies to combat poverty and reduce the development gap in ASEAN.

6. Letter of Invitation from the Canadian Supervisor (Graduate Students Only, Maximum One Page)

• Issued on institutional letterhead.
• Dated within the last six months.
• Signed by the Canadian supervisor.
• Describes:
  • Nature and scope of the research collaboration with the student’s home institution.
  • Supervisor’s willingness to mentor and support the candidate during the exchange.
  • Benefits to the Canadian institution, supervisor, and peers.
• Confirms that tuition fees are waived when no Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is in place.

7. Signed Copy of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Agreement with the Partner Institution

• Confirms tuition fees will not be charged.
• Expired agreements will not be accepted.
  • If the agreement is being renewed, institutions must provide a letter confirming the renewal process.
• For undergraduate and college research applications:
  • If no agreement exists, institutions may submit a letter from the international office (on official letterhead) confirming:
    • The application is linked to a specific international research collaboration.
    • The name of the Canadian supervisor.
    • Tuition will not be charged.
  • The letter must be dated within the last six months and be a maximum of one page.
• For graduate applications: An MOU is recommended but not required.

8. Ranking of Applications

• Canadian institutions must rank their applications based on strategic priorities.
• Rankings must be sent to seed-bpeed@cbie.ca.
• The MyEduCanada application number must be included for each candidate.

9. Scholarship Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Relevance of the proposed research or study to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Candidate’s commitment to using their studies to combat poverty and narrow the development gap in ASEAN.
• Merit of the proposed research or study in Canada.
• Benefits to the home institution and peers.
• Benefits to the Canadian institution, supervisor, and peers.
• Strength of linkages and collaborations created through the exchange.
• Ranking submitted by the Canadian institution.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply

The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development Program requires Canadian post-secondary institutions to apply on behalf of eligible candidates. Follow the steps below to ensure a successful application.

Step 1: Assign a Program Coordinator

• Designate a program coordinator responsible for completing the application on behalf of eligible candidates.

Step 2: Create a My EduCanada Account

• Visit the My EduCanada portal and select “Login or Register.”
• Choose Institution as the account type.

Step 3: Select the Scholarship Program

• Once logged in, select Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development Program and click Apply.

Step 4: Complete the Application Form

• Enter all required information accurately.
• Click Validate and Save as you progress through the form.

Step 5: Upload Supporting Documents

Ensure each document is smaller than 5 MB and in one of the following formats:

• .jpg, .gif, .png, .pdf, .doc, .docx, .txt, .xlsx
  Attach all required supporting documents before submitting.

Step 6: Review and Submit

• Double-check all details for accuracy and completeness.
• Read and accept the “Declaration and Permission” statement.
• Click Submit you will receive a confirmation message and reference number.

Step 7: Save a Copy

• Use the “Print | Download” function to save a copy of the application for your records.

For additional assistance, visit Help with MyEduCanada.

Terms and Conditions:

To maintain eligibility and ensure compliance with the scholarship guidelines, selected candidates must adhere to the following terms and conditions.

Scholarship Recipient Obligations:

Selected candidates agree to:

• Engage in full-time studies or research as defined by the Canadian institution.
• Abstain from clinical training or clinically oriented research involving direct patient care.
• Focus primarily on studies or research during their stay in Canada.
• Return to their home institution after the scholarship period to complete their studies.

Failure to meet these conditions may result in the cancellation of the scholarship.

Additional Scholarship Guidelines:

• Scholarships cannot be deferred and are not renewable.
• Scholarships are subject to the availability of funding from the Government of Canada.
• Scholarships are not taxable for either the Canadian institution or the recipient.

Contact Details:

You can contact the scholarship administrator, the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), at seed-bpeed@cbie.ca or call 613-237-4820 for inquiries.

Final Thoughts:

The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development Program is a great opportunity for students from ASEAN countries to study or do research in Canada. It provides financial support and helps students gain international experience, build connections, and contribute to important global goals.

If you’re looking for more international scholarships, you can check out other options here.

Reference:

1. Embassy of Canada in the Philippines. (2025, February 4). The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development program is back! [Facebook post]. Facebook. Retrieved February 13, 2025, from https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=932768039035561&id=100069071204752
2. Government of Canada. (2025). Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development Program. EduCanada. Retrieved February 13, 2025, from https://www.educanada.ca/scholarships-bourses/can/institutions/asean-anase.aspx?lang=eng