A master’s or doctorate degree may require spending on tuition, research, books, travel, and other study needs. Government scholarships may help cover some of these costs.

If you are planning to take or are currently enrolled in a graduate program, Government Scholarships for Master’s and Doctorate Students may be worth checking based on your field of study, academic background, employment, research interests, or other qualifications.

This guide lists government scholarship programs that master’s and doctorate students in the Philippines may consider.

Who Is This Guide For?

This guide is mainly for students and professionals who are planning to take or are currently pursuing graduate studies.

You may also be looking for support as a:

• Master’s degree student
• Doctorate or PhD student
• Graduate student
• Faculty or teaching personnel
• Researcher
• Government or private employee pursuing advanced studies
• Science, technology, engineering, or mathematics graduate student

Some programs are limited to particular professions, research fields, universities, or employment backgrounds.

Who May Qualify for Government Graduate Scholarships?

Government graduate scholarships have different qualifications. Depending on the program, support may be available to:

• Filipino citizens pursuing master’s or doctorate degrees
• Faculty and teaching personnel
• Researchers and professionals
• Science and technology graduate students
• Engineering graduate students
• Science and mathematics educators
• Government or private employees
• Applicants with approved research or study plans
• Students who meet other program-specific requirements

Not every scholarship applies to every graduate student, so check each program carefully.

Important Application Reminder

Graduate scholarship programs have different application periods, requirements, and selection processes.

Before applying, make sure to check:

• Current application period and deadline
• Eligible master’s or doctorate programs
• Participating universities
• Age requirements
• Academic and admission requirements
• Employment or teaching requirements
• Research area requirements
• Required documents
• Employer endorsement or permit to study
• Rules on receiving another scholarship
• Return service requirements

The scholarships listed below may not all be accepting applications at the same time. Always check the latest official announcement before applying.

Government Scholarship Programs

Below are government scholarships that master’s and doctorate students in the Philippines may consider in 2026.

Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

1. Higher Education Upskilling and Study for Advancement of Staff and Faculty (HUSAY)

HUSAY supports qualified individuals pursuing approved study and development programs.

You may qualify if you are a Filipino citizen, have completed at least a bachelor’s degree, meet the requirements of your chosen program, and obtain permission to study from your employer. You must also be willing to complete the required return service.

2. Scholarships for Instructors’ Knowledge Advancement Program (SIKAP)

SIKAP supports qualified teaching and non-teaching personnel who want to pursue graduate studies.

You may qualify under SIKAP for regular or plantilla personnel or SIKAP-N for non-regular or non-plantilla personnel. Applicants must generally be Filipino, employed full-time in an eligible institution, admitted to an eligible graduate program, and meet the program’s age, academic, and employment requirements.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST)

3. Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program (ASTHRDP)

ASTHRDP supports graduate studies in priority science and technology fields.

You may qualify if you are a Filipino citizen, not more than 50 years old, in good health, and meet the admission requirements of a participating graduate university.

4. Capacity Building Program in Science and Mathematics Education (CBPSME)

CBPSME supports qualified students pursuing graduate studies in science and mathematics education.

You may qualify if you are a natural-born Filipino citizen, are 50 years old or younger, and meet the admission requirements of a participating university. Teaching experience may also be required depending on whether you are applying for a master’s or doctorate program.

5. Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT)

ERDT supports graduate studies in engineering and related fields.

You may qualify if you are Filipino, not more than 50 years old, have a BS or MS degree in engineering or a related field, and meet the admission and screening requirements of an ERDT-supported graduate program.

6. Science and Technology Regional Alliance of Universities for National Development (STRAND)

STRAND supports qualified students and faculty members pursuing advanced studies in science and technology.

You may qualify if you are Filipino, not more than 50 years old, in good health and of good moral character, and meet the graduate admission and screening requirements of an eligible university.

7. DOST-SEI-USask Graduate Scholarship Program

The DOST-SEI-USask Graduate Scholarship Program supports qualified Filipino researchers pursuing advanced studies abroad.

You may qualify if you are Filipino, 50 years old or younger, within the first five years of your research career, and a permanent or regular employee of a Philippine institution. Your research must also align with the Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA).

8. France Excellence-DOST Scholarship Program

The France Excellence-DOST Scholarship Program provides opportunities for qualified Filipinos pursuing graduate studies abroad.

You may qualify if you are Filipino, not more than 50 years old, and a permanent or regular employee of a Philippine government or private institution. Your proposed research must also align with the HNRDA and meet the program’s admission and endorsement requirements.

9. DOST-SEI-UAlberta S&T Graduate Scholarship Program

The DOST-SEI-UAlberta S&T Graduate Scholarship Program supports qualified Filipinos pursuing advanced studies in science and technology.

The specific eligibility requirements for this program were not included in the information provided for this guide. Check the latest DOST-SEI announcement for the eligible degree level, research fields, age requirement, and university admission requirements.

Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA)

10. PhilSA Advanced Degrees for Accelerating Strategic Space R&D and Applications (PhilSA AD ASTRA)

PhilSA AD ASTRA supports advanced studies related to space science, technology, research, and applications.

You may qualify for a master’s or doctorate scholarship if you are Filipino, meet the age requirement, have a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree, and have a research, thesis, or dissertation plan aligned with PhilSA’s key development areas.

Before You Apply

Before applying for a government graduate scholarship, make sure the program matches your academic and career plans.

Check the following:

• Confirm whether the scholarship supports a master’s degree, doctorate, or both.
• Check the latest application period and deadline.
• Review the age and academic requirements.
• Confirm that your field and university are eligible.
• Check employment or teaching requirements.
• Review research or thesis requirements.
• Secure any required employer endorsement or permit to study.
• Check return service requirements.
• Prepare the required documents.
• Apply only through the official government application channel.

Graduate scholarship requirements may change from one application cycle to another.

Always check the latest official announcement before applying.

References

The information in this guide was prepared using eligibility details, scholarship guidelines, and program information from the following government agencies and programs:

• Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
• Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
• Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA)

Scholarship details may change without prior notice. Application schedules, eligibility requirements, scholarship benefits, participating universities, research areas, available slots, and documentary requirements are determined by each government agency.

Always check the latest official announcement before applying.

Research Note: This guide was prepared and verified with the help of partners, volunteers, and the CRA team.

Please note that being included in this guide does not necessarily mean that a scholarship is currently accepting applications. Always visit the official government agency or scholarship page for the latest application period, eligibility requirements, participating universities, scholarship benefits, and application procedures.