Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchange Programs for Development

On August 6, 2017, the Government of Canada unveiled the Canada-ASEAN Development Scholarships and Educational Exchange Programs initiative. This initiative presents students from ASEAN member countries with the opportunity to engage in short-term study or research at Canadian post-secondary educational institutions, aligning with and contributing to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The primary objective of the Canada-ASEAN Development Scholarships and Educational Exchange Programs initiative is to address poverty in developing ASEAN countries and contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Scholarships and study exchanges offered through this initiative aim to make meaningful contributions toward all Sustainable Development Goals and foster stronger people-to-people ties between Canada and the Indo-Pacific region.

Facilitated through collaboration and student exchange agreements between Canadian post-secondary educational institutions and their counterparts in ASEAN countries, the Canada-ASEAN Development Scholarships and Educational Exchange Programs initiative is a short-term exchange program under the Global Affairs Canada International Scholarships Program.

Eligibility: To be eligible for the Canada-ASEAN Development Scholarships and Educational Exchange Programs, students must:

• Be citizens of an ASEAN member country: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos (Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)), Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam.
• Be enrolled full-time at a post-secondary educational institution in an ASEAN member country.
• Pay all tuition fees required by the institution at the time of application and throughout the exchange period.

Students are ineligible for this scholarship if they:

• Currently hold or are applying for Canadian citizenship or permanent residence.
• Are already participating in a Government of Canada-funded exchange scholarship program.
• Are already enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution program leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
• Have previously received a scholarship under the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchange Programs for Development initiative.

Canadian post-secondary institutions must be designated educational institutions (EEDs) and have a valid student exchange agreement with the candidate’s home establishment.

Scholarship Value and Duration: The scholarship covers various levels and durations of study, including college-level and undergraduate university studies for four or eight months, as well as graduate cycles for four to six months. Eligible expenses covered by the scholarship include visa fees, plane tickets, health insurance, living expenses, land transportation costs, and supplies required for research or study.

Application Process: Canadian institutions submit applications on behalf of eligible students, and the application period must be promoted among professors, employees, and eligible partner institutions. Non-Canadian institutions seeking to bring students to Canada must follow specific criteria, explore exchange agreements with Canadian institutions, promote the scholarship to students, and identify eligible candidates.

Key Dates: The deadline for Canadian institutions to submit applications is March 28, 2023. Successful students will be notified in the spring, and they can arrive in Canada as early as August 1, 2023, for the fall semester or no later than February 1, 2024, for the winter/spring semester.

Scholarship Terms: Successful students must pursue full-time studies or research, refrain from participating in certain clinical activities, and return to their home institution after the scholarship period. Scholarships cannot be postponed, are non-renewable, and are subject to the availability of government funding. Additionally, scholarships are not taxable for either the Canadian institution or the scholarship holder. Non-compliance with the requirements may result in scholarship cancellation.