PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship 2026 Application Guide 

Are you a Filipino graduate looking to pursue advanced studies in space science and technology? 

This PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship provides financial assistance to qualified Filipinos pursuing master’s, doctoral, research, or stand-alone sandwich programs in priority fields related to Space Science, Technology, and Applications (SSTA).

In this guide, you’ll learn about the qualifications, benefits, priority courses, application deadlines, and the application process for the PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship.

Qualifications:

To qualify for the PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements set by the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA). Below are the qualifications that interested applicants should satisfy before submitting their application.

• Must not be more than 45 years old at the time of application for Masters and Doctorate Scholarships, and not more than 50 years old for stand-alone sandwich programs.
• Must be a Filipino citizen.
• Must be in good health.
• Must be of good moral character, as attested by two (2) character references.
• Must have a relevant Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree.
• Must have no pending administrative/criminal case.
• Must have no pending service obligation from any previous scholarship programs unless there is a clearance or consent from the previous granting institution allowing the postponement of return service  obligation and indicating that monitoring of the previous service obligation will not be transferred to PhilSA.
• Must have a research/thesis/dissertation plan in line with the Key Development Areas of PhilSA.
• Must have passed the admission requirements of any CHED-recognized Higher Educational Institution (HEI) (for local scholarship applicants).
• Must have passed the internal scholarship process of his/her Department/Agency (for government employees).
• Must have been accepted to their host institution.

Requirements:

As of the latest PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship, the official announcement does not include a detailed list of documentary requirements. Applicants are advised to download the official application forms and carefully review the instructions for the complete list of required documents before submitting their application.

To avoid delays in processing, make sure that all required forms and supporting documents are complete and submitted through the official online application portal on or before the applicable deadline.

Benefits:

The PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship provides financial support to qualified Filipino graduate students pursuing advanced studies in space science and technology. Qualified scholars may receive the following benefits below, depending on the scholarship type and level of study.

• Tuition and Other School Fees – Covers the actual tuition and other required school fees.
• Monthly Stipend – Provides financial support for accommodation, meals, and incidental expenses.
  • Local scholars:
    • Master’s – ₱27,500 per month
    • Doctorate – ₱36,000 per month
  • Foreign scholars:
    • Based on the actual cost of living in the host country, including health insurance.
• Book Allowance – ₱22,000 per year for books, journals, instructional materials, and school supplies.
• Technological Support
  • Laptop assistance of up to ₱50,000.
  • ₱1,000 monthly internet/communication allowance.
• Round-trip Transportation Allowance – Reimburses one economy-class round-trip travel between the scholar’s residence and place of study.
• Pre-departure Allowance – Covers eligible expenses for passport, visa, medical examinations, immunizations, and other travel-related requirements for scholars studying abroad.
• Relocation Allowance – One-time assistance for scholars relocating to another region or country, subject to approval.
• Disability Support – Reasonable accommodations and support services for scholars with disabilities, as needed.
• Extra Academic Activities Support – Financial assistance for professional memberships, workshops, seminars, study visits, and other approved academic activities.
• Thesis, Dissertation, or Internship Allowance
  • Master’s – ₱66,000
  • Doctorate – ₱110,000
• Research Grant (if applicable)
  • Master’s – Up to ₱125,400
  • Doctorate – Up to ₱278,300
• Research Dissemination Grant (if applicable)
  • Master’s – Up to ₱82,500
  • Doctorate – Up to ₱165,000
• Mentor’s Fee
  • Master’s – ₱39,600
  • Doctorate – ₱79,200
• Mentoring and Support Program – Orientation, advisory support, consultation sessions, and networking opportunities with the PhilSA community.
• Membership in the PhilSA Scholars Group – Access to alumni activities, networking events, send-off ceremonies, graduation events, and other scholar programs. (Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA))

Priority Courses:

The PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship supports graduate studies in priority fields related to Space Science, Technology, and Applications (SSTA). Below are the eligible priority courses and disciplines covered under the scholarship. 

• Space Data Applications
  • Remote sensing and spatial analysis
  • Geospatial technologies (with a focus on Earth observation)
  • Photogrammetry
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Climate studies
  • Geophysics
  • Geomatics
  • Geoinformation Science
  • Satellite meteorology
  • Astrostatistics
  • Atmospheric science
• Spacecraft Systems Development, Engineering, and Robotics
  • Satellite development and operation
  • Space systems
  • Spacecraft design and analysis
  • Payload system development
  • Rocketry
  • Instrumentation and signal processing
  • Aeronautics
  • Astronautics
  • Internet of Robotic Things (IoRT)
  • Space cybersecurity
  • Intelligent systems
  • Space debris mitigation and removal
• Space Law, Policy, and Entrepreneurship
  • Space law
  • Cyber law
  • Telecommunications law
  • International relations
  • Diplomacy
  • Space business
  • Space economics
  • Space tourism

• Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Materials science and engineering (particularly materials for the space environment)
  • Space experimental hardware for materials investigation
  • Astronomy
  • Astrobiology
  • Space biology
  • Space biotechnology
  • Space medicine
  • Astrophysics
  • Space physics
  • Astrogeology
  • Archeoastronomy
  • Space archaeology
  • Forensic astronomy
  • Space chemistry
  • Planetary science
  • Space exploration
  • Cosmology
  • Earth and Space Sciences
  • STEM education with a focus on astronomy and space science

Partner School:

The PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship does not have a published list of partner schools or universities. 

Instead, scholars may pursue eligible graduate programs at CHED-recognized Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines or at qualified international higher education institutions, provided they meet the scholarship requirements and have been accepted by their chosen institution. (Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA))

Application Deadline:

The PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship follows different application deadlines depending on the scholarship type and the intended academic intake.

Applicants are encouraged to prepare and submit their applications well before the applicable deadline to ensure they are considered for their preferred intake period. The application deadlines are as follows:

Stand-alone Sandwich Program

Foreign Graduate Scholarships
(August to December intake of the current year) – March 30
(August to December intake of the current year) – March 30

Local Graduate Scholarships
Term 1 / Semester 1 (July to October intake of the current year) – June 15
Term 2 / Semester 2 (November to December intake of the current year and January to February intake of the following year) – October 15
Term 3 / Midyear Term / Summer Term (March to June intake of the current year) – February 15

How to Apply:

Applying for the PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship is simple. Follow the steps below to complete your application and ensure that all required documents are submitted before the applicable deadline.

Step 1: Download the official PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship application forms from the official PhilSA website.

Step 2: Carefully fill out the application forms and prepare all the required supporting documents following the instructions provided.

Step 3: Submit your completed application and all supporting documents through the official online application portal via this link.

Contact Information
If you have questions or need assistance regarding the scholarship, you may contact PhilSA through the following:

• Email: scholarships@philsa.gov.ph
• Telephone: (+632) 8568-9931

Note: Ensure that your application is complete before submission. Incomplete applications may not be processed.

About the PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship:

The PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarships helps qualified Filipinos continue their studies in space science and technology through master’s or doctoral degrees in the Philippines or abroad. 

It provides financial assistance to bachelor’s degree graduates and aims to train more experts who can support the country’s space program. 

Since it started in 2021, the program has already supported several scholars and continues to offer more scholarship opportunities each year.

Final Thoughts:

The PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for qualified Filipinos who aspire to pursue advanced studies in Space Science, Technology, and Applications (SSTA). 

Through its comprehensive financial support and focus on developing future space professionals, the program helps strengthen the country’s research and innovation capabilities. 

If you meet the qualifications and are passionate about contributing to the Philippine space sector, be sure to prepare your application early and submit all requirements before the applicable deadline. For the latest announcements and updates, always refer to the official PhilSA scholarship page. (philsa.gov.ph)

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

Reference:

1. Philippine Space Agency. (n.d.). PhilSA Advanced Degrees for Accelerating Strategic Space R&D and Applications (AD ASTRA) Scholarships Program. https://philsa.gov.ph/ad-astra/ 
2. Philippine Space Agency. (n.d.). PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship Program application forms. https://philsagov-my.sharepoint.com/personal/scholarships_philsa_gov_ph/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Fscholarships%5Fphilsa%5Fgov%5Fph%2FDocuments%2F03%20AD%20ASTRA%20Forms%2FPhilSA%20AD%20ASTRA%20Scholarship%20Program%20Application%20Forms 
3. Philippine Space Agency. (n.d.). AD ASTRA Scholarships Program: Submission of application. Jotform. https://form.jotform.com/230217751110037