ASEAN Scholar Fellowship for Regional Research Collaboration

The ASEAN Scholar Fellowship 2026, organised by the Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI), supports outstanding mid- to senior-level researchers from ASEAN countries through a five-month fellowship focused on quantitative research, policy collaboration, mentorship, and regional knowledge exchange. Selected fellows will receive opportunities to conduct research, mentor junior researchers, and contribute to evidence-based policymaking.

Overview of the ASEAN Scholar Fellowship

The Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI) is inviting applications for the ASEAN Scholar Fellowship to strengthen research capacity, technical expertise, and collaboration among researchers across ASEAN countries.

The fellowship is designed for experienced researchers who can contribute advanced analytical skills, support junior researchers, and collaborate on policy research addressing shared development challenges in the region.

The programme forms part of CDRI’s ASEAN Scholar Exchange and Regional Institutional Linkages Initiative, which aims to strengthen connections between research institutions, universities, and policy communities across ASEAN.

Purpose of the Fellowship

The ASEAN Scholar Fellowship aims to:

• Strengthen quantitative research capabilities among ASEAN researchers.
• Promote regional research collaboration.
• Support evidence-based policymaking.
• Encourage knowledge exchange between research institutions.
• Develop long-term partnerships among ASEAN scholars.
• Improve technical skills in advanced research methods.

The fellowship focuses on building institutional capacity through mentorship, collaborative research, and practical engagement with policy issues.

Research Areas Supported

The fellowship welcomes researchers working in areas including:

• Economic modelling and forecasting.
• Development economics.
• Industrial and trade policy.
• Labour economics.
• Public finance and macroeconomic policy.
• Data science for public policy.
• Climate and environmental economics.
• Digital economy and innovation.

Applicants should demonstrate expertise relevant to ASEAN development challenges and policy research.

Fellowship Structure and Duration

The fellowship runs for five months and includes both in-person and remote collaboration.

In-Person Residency

Selected fellows will undertake a three-month residency at CDRI in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The residency period is scheduled from:

Late August to late October 2026

During this period, fellows will work closely with CDRI researchers and contribute to institutional research activities.

Remote Collaboration

Following the residency, fellows will continue collaboration remotely for two months:

November to December 2026

The remote phase will focus on completing research activities, knowledge sharing, and maintaining institutional connections.

Fellowship Activities

Selected fellows will participate in a range of research and capacity-building activities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Mentoring CDRI junior researchers.
• Supporting research design and methodology development.
• Providing guidance on quantitative analysis.
• Advising on econometric modelling.
• Supporting data management approaches.
• Sharing expertise in AI-informed analytical methods.
• Collaborating on policy research projects.

Fellows will also contribute to research outputs such as:

• Working papers.
• Policy briefs.
• Methodological notes.
• Other agreed knowledge products.

Knowledge Sharing and Training Activities

The fellowship includes opportunities to strengthen research skills within CDRI through:

• Research seminars.
• Technical workshops.
• Methodological guidance.
• Discussions on analytical practices.
• Research mentorship activities.

The selected fellow will deliver at least:

• One research seminar.
• One technical workshop for CDRI researchers.

Expected Outcomes

At the conclusion of the fellowship, the selected scholar will prepare a reflection document highlighting:

• Key lessons learned.
• Contributions made during the fellowship.
• Research outcomes.
• Future opportunities for collaboration.

The programme also aims to establish long-term partnerships between CDRI and the fellow’s home institution.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Hold citizenship in an ASEAN Member State other than Cambodia.
• Be affiliated with a university, think tank, or research institute within an ASEAN country.
• Have expertise in relevant research areas.
• Demonstrate experience in policy-oriented research.

Eligible applicants may include:

• Mid-career researchers.
• Senior researchers.
• University academics.
• Think tank researchers.
• Research institute professionals.

Academic and Professional Requirements

Applicants should typically have:

• A PhD in economics, public policy, development studies, data science, statistics, or related fields.

Applicants with:

• A Master’s degree, and
• At least five years of relevant research experience

may also be considered if they demonstrate exceptional expertise.

Required Skills and Experience

Successful applicants should demonstrate:

Research Expertise

Applicants should have:

• Strong experience in applied research.
• Policy-relevant publications.
• Knowledge of advanced quantitative methods.
• Experience with research design and analysis.

Technical Skills

Applicants should have experience with:

• Econometric modelling.
• Statistical programming tools such as Stata, R, or Python.
• AI-assisted research methods.
• Machine learning applications where relevant.

Mentorship Experience

Candidates should demonstrate experience supporting:

• Early-career researchers.
• Graduate students.
• Research teams.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

Preference may be given to applicants with:

• Experience conducting policy research in Cambodia or the Mekong sub-region.
• Interest in long-term ASEAN institutional partnerships.
• Experience integrating GEDSI principles into research.
• Strong English communication skills.

Applicants should be able to produce research outputs and deliver seminars and workshops in English.

Focus on GEDSI Principles

The fellowship encourages researchers to integrate Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles into:

• Research design.
• Data collection.
• Analysis methods.
• Policy recommendations.

Applicants should demonstrate awareness of inclusive approaches in research and policymaking.

Benefits of the Fellowship

The ASEAN Scholar Fellowship provides opportunities to:

• Gain international research experience.
• Collaborate with ASEAN researchers.
• Strengthen technical research skills.
• Expand academic and policy networks.
• Contribute to regional development discussions.
• Build institutional partnerships.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen their applications by:

• Highlighting policy-relevant research experience.
• Demonstrating quantitative research expertise.
• Providing examples of published work.
• Explaining experience mentoring researchers.
• Showing commitment to ASEAN collaboration.
• Connecting research interests with regional development priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ASEAN Scholar Fellowship?

The ASEAN Scholar Fellowship is a research exchange programme by CDRI that supports experienced ASEAN researchers through mentorship, collaborative research, and regional knowledge exchange.

Who can apply for the fellowship?

Researchers from ASEAN countries other than Cambodia who are affiliated with universities, think tanks, or research institutions can apply.

How long does the fellowship last?

The fellowship lasts five months, including three months of in-person residency in Phnom Penh and two months of remote collaboration.

Where will the fellowship take place?

The in-person component will take place at the Cambodia Development Resource Institute in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

What research areas are supported?

The fellowship supports research areas including development economics, trade policy, public finance, climate economics, data science, digital economy, and related fields.

Do applicants need a PhD?

A PhD is preferred, but exceptional candidates with a Master’s degree and at least five years of relevant research experience may also be considered.

What skills should applicants have?

Applicants should have expertise in quantitative research methods, econometric modelling, statistical programming, and policy research.

What will fellows do during the programme?

Fellows will mentor researchers, conduct collaborative research, deliver seminars and workshops, and contribute to policy-focused research outputs.

Conclusion

The ASEAN Scholar Fellowship 2026 provides an important opportunity for experienced researchers to strengthen regional collaboration, share technical expertise, and contribute to evidence-based policymaking across ASEAN. Through research mentorship, institutional partnerships, and collaborative knowledge creation, the programme aims to develop stronger research networks and support solutions to shared regional development challenges.