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CFAs: ASEAN Doctoral Field Research Grant Program

Deadline: 10-Dec-2025

The IRASEC ASEAN Doctoral Field Research Grant 2025/2026 offers €2,000 to PhD students from ASEAN countries conducting original fieldwork on contemporary Southeast Asia. Recipients gain financial support, academic affiliation, and publication opportunities, enabling high-impact research and regional scholarly networking. Applications are open to all ASEAN doctoral candidates with fieldwork-focused projects under IRASEC’s thematic priorities.

What is the ASEAN Doctoral Field Research Grant?

The ASEAN Doctoral Field Research Grant is a funding initiative by the Institute of Regional Affairs and Social Research (IRASEC), aimed at supporting doctoral students conducting empirical research in Southeast Asia. The grant encourages original fieldwork on critical social, cultural, and policy issues across ASEAN member states.

Key Features

  • Funding Amount: €2,000 lump sum

  • Research Period: Late December 2025 – August 2026

  • Publication Opportunity: Working Papers may be published in IRASEC’s Occasional Papers or Discussion Papers

  • Affiliation: Two-year tenure as an Associated PhD Fellow at IRASEC

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:

  1. Nationality: Any ASEAN member country

  2. Academic Status: Enrolled in a PhD program at a university in Southeast Asia

  3. Research Focus: Fieldwork-oriented projects related to contemporary Southeast Asia

  4. Thematic Priorities: Children’s rights, religious soft power, public policy on artificial intelligence, and other regionally relevant social, cultural, or policy topics

Why the Grant Matters

This grant is more than just financial support. It enables doctoral students to conduct first-hand empirical research in Southeast Asia, gain academic visibility through IRASEC publications, access mentorship and networking opportunities with regional scholars, enhance their research credibility through institutional affiliation, and contribute to policy discourse and scholarly debate on contemporary issues.

How the Grant Works

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Application Submission: Submit your proposal before the deadline (refer to IRASEC’s official website for dates).

  2. Grant Approval: Selected candidates sign a grant agreement.

  3. Disbursement: Receive €2,000 in a single installment.

  4. Fieldwork Execution: Conduct research between December 2025 and August 2026.

  5. Paper Submission: Submit a Working Paper within six months of completing fieldwork.

  6. Publication and Fellowship: Accepted papers may be published, and grantees gain two-year Associated PhD Fellow status, including the option to host at IRASEC Bangkok.

Tips for a Successful Application

  • Focus on Fieldwork: Clearly outline how your research will generate original empirical data.

  • Align with Themes: Make sure your topic aligns with IRASEC’s thematic priorities.

  • Feasibility: Demonstrate realistic timelines and methodologies.

  • Clarity and Structure: Ensure your proposal is well-organized, concise, and logically presented.

  • Publication Potential: Highlight how your findings could contribute to regional scholarly discourse.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can students outside ASEAN apply? No, the grant is restricted to doctoral candidates from ASEAN member countries.
2. Is prior publication required? No, the grant supports ongoing research; publication is an outcome, not a prerequisite.
3. Can the grant be used for international travel? Funding is intended for fieldwork within ASEAN member states.
4. How long is the Associated PhD Fellow affiliation? Two years, with optional hosting at IRASEC’s Bangkok headquarters.
5. What happens if the Working Paper is not accepted for publication? Grantees retain the fellowship and can still leverage networking and mentorship opportunities.
6. Can the grant support group projects? The grant is primarily individual-focused, but collaborative elements can be included if clearly defined.
7. When will recipients be notified? Notification timelines are specified on the IRASEC website; applicants should regularly check for updates.

Conclusion

The ASEAN Doctoral Field Research Grant 2025/2026 is a strategic opportunity for doctoral students to advance fieldwork research, gain institutional support, and contribute to understanding Southeast Asia’s social, cultural, and policy dynamics. By offering financial aid, academic affiliation, and publication potential, IRASEC empowers emerging scholars to make a tangible impact on regional research and policy discourse.

For more information, visit IRASEC.