The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) is now accepting applications to its Advanced Degrees for Accelerating Strategic Space R&D and Applications (AD ASTRA) Scholarships Program. It is open for students who have completed their Bachelor’s degree, and are aiming to pursue research or a Master’s or Doctoral degree in fields related to Space Science, Technology, and Applications (SSTA), including space law, diplomacy, industry, and economics, in local or international higher educational institutions (HEIs). The program offers full, partial/lateral, and sandwich program scholarships for fields relevant to the agency’s Key Development Areas (KDAs).
Beginning 2024, applications shall be accepted throughout the year, but with specific deadlines per scholarship category.
The scholarship will fund studies in disciplines related to space science and technology applications such as, but not limited to:
Space data applications – remote sensing and spatial analysis, geospatial technologies with focus on Earth observation, photogrammetry, environmental monitoring, climate studies, geophysics, geomatics, geoinformation science, satellite meteorology, astrostatistics, and 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, and space debris mitigation and removal
Space law, policy, and entrepreneurship – space, cyber and telecommunications law, international relations, diplomacy, space business/economics, and space tourism
Multidisciplinary studies – materials science and engineering particularly materials in the space environment, materials for the space environment, and space experimental hardware for materials investigation; other multidisciplinary fields such as astronomy, astrobiology, space biology, space biotechnology, space medicine, astrophysics, space physics, astrogeology, archeoastronomy, space archeology, forensic astronomy, space chemistry, planetary science, space exploration, cosmology, earth and space sciences, STEM education with focus on astronomy and space science
- 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.
| Benefits | Description | Masters | Doctorate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition and other school fees | Covers actual tuition fees and all other related school fees. | Actual | Actual |
| Stipend (accommodation, meals, incidental expenses) | Contribution to living expenses including meals and accommodation. | Local - Php 27,500/monthly Foreign - based on actual cost of living in place of study, including health insurance | Local - Php 36,000/monthly Foreign - based on actual cost of living in place of study, including health insurance |
| Book Allowance* | Covers expenses for books, journal subscription, instructional materials, and other school supplies. | Php 22,000/year | Php 22,000/year |
| Technological Support | Covers provision of laptop and basic monthly internet connection/communication expenses. | Php 50,000/per laptop* (maximum) Php 1,000 monthly internet connection** (under scholar's name) | Php 50,000/per laptop* (maximum) Php 1,000 monthly internet connection** (under scholar's name) |
| Round-trip Transportation Allowance | One (1) round-trip economy class transportation cost from residence to place of lodging and vice versa. The allowance applies to the start and end of the scholarship period only. | Actual (on reimbursement basis) | Actual (on reimbursement basis) |
| Pre-departure Allowance | Shall cover miscellaneous expenses for passport processing, visa processing, airport terminal fees, immunization and medical laboratory fees and other related expenses. The allowance is for grantees enrolled in Universities abroad. | Actual (on reimbursement basis) | Actual (on reimbursement basis) |
| Relocation Allowance | A one-time allowance is provided to cover the moving expenses of scholars who are accepted to an educational institution or university in a region/country away from his/her current place of residence. | Upon submission of a formal request by the scholar to the Scholarship Committee and as approved by PhilSA Director General. | Upon submission of a formal request by the scholar to the Scholarship Committee and as approved by PhilSA Director General. |
| Disability Support | Provision of reasonable accommodations and support to scholars with disabilities based on their needs. | Upon submission of a formal request by the scholar and as approved by PhilSA Scholarship Committee. | Upon submission of a formal request by the scholar and as approved by PhilSA Scholarship Committee. |
| Extra Academic Activities | Covers expenses in line with membership to professional societies, student clubs/ organizations, and participation in study visits, workshops, and seminars in line with their study. | Upon submission of a formal request by the scholar to the Scholarship Committee and as approved by PhilSA Director General. | Upon submission of a formal request by the scholar to the Scholarship Committee and as approved by PhilSA Director General. |
| Thesis/Dissertation/Internship Allowance (if applicable) | Covers all expenses in line with the preparation of thesis/dissertation. May also accommodate capstone projects upon submission of a formal request by the scholar and approval by PhilSA Scholarship Committee. May also accommodate internships, if internship is part of the Program of Study | Php 66,000 | Php 110,000 |
| Research Grant (if applicable) | Additional funding support that may be given to a scholar whose budget requirement to complete his/her thesis/dissertation research exceeds the outright thesis/dissertation allowance. | Upon endorsement of a formal request and as approved by PhilSA Director General. Approved grant is subject to liquidation. The maximum amount is 125,400. | Upon endorsement of a formal request and as approved by PhilSA Director General. Approved grant is subject to liquidation. The maximum amount is 278,300. |
| Research Dissemination Grant (if applicable) | Funding support to a scholar whose thesis/dissertation research has been accepted for oral/poster presentation in a local or international conference and/or for publication in a refereed technical journal. This grant can be availed up to one year after graduation. | Php 82,500 (subject to liquidation) | Php 165,000 (subject to liquidation) |
| Mentor's Fee (if applicable) | Incentive for research/thesis mentors to ensure successful completion of studies. | Php 39,600 | Php 79,200 |
| Mentoring/Support Program | Orientation Program for Scholars. Onboarding of scholars/advisory support during relocation/adjustment period. Consultation sessions with PhilSA personnel (e.g., former scholars). Invitation to PhilSA events and activities. | Access to information, networking opportunities, and PhilSA community resources. | Access to information, networking opportunities, and PhilSA community resources. |
| Membership in PhilSA Scholars Group | Send-off events, graduation ceremonies, alumni assemblies, and other relevant programs. | Access to information, networking opportunities, and PhilSA community resources | Access to information, networking opportunities, and PhilSA community resources |
Application Deadlines
Scholarship Applications are accepted throughout the year with the following deadlines:
- Local Scholarships
- June 15 for First Semester Intake
- October 15 for Second Semester Intake
- Stand-alone Sandwich Program
- March 30
- Foreign Scholarships
- March 30 for August to December Intake
- August 30 for January to July Intake for the following year
How to Apply
- Download the application forms.
- Submit your complete application online via ApplyToPhilSAADASTRA.
Contact Information
For inquiries, please contact: scholarships@philsa.gov.ph or +632 8568 99 31