The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) invites aspiring scholars to apply for the Advanced Degrees for Accelerating Strategic Space R&D and Applications (AD ASTRA) Scholarships Program for the 2025 Fall Intake. This prestigious scholarship supports Filipino citizens pursuing advanced degrees in Space Science, Technology, and Applications (SSTA) and related disciplines.
Scholarship Benefits
The AD ASTRA Scholarships provide generous support, ensuring scholars can focus on their studies and research without financial burden. Benefits include:
- Tuition and Fees: Full coverage for actual tuition and related school fees.
- Monthly Stipend:
- Local: Php 27,500 for Master’s, Php 36,000 for Doctoral studies.
- Foreign: Adjusted to actual cost of living in the country of study, including health insurance.
- Book Allowance: Php 22,000 annually.
- Technological Support: Laptop provision (up to Php 50,000) and monthly internet allowance of Php 1,000.
- Round-trip Transportation: Economy-class airfare reimbursement for start and end of the scholarship period.
- Pre-departure and Relocation Allowances: Coverage for passport, visa, and relocation expenses for international scholars.
- Disability Support: Tailored accommodations for scholars with disabilities.
- Research and Dissemination Grants: Funding for research exceeding standard allowances and presentations at conferences.
- Mentorship and Networking Opportunities: Guidance from mentors and access to the PhilSA Scholars Group community.
Degree Levels Supported
The program caters to:
- Master’s degrees.
- Doctoral degrees.
- Sandwich programs (stand-alone).
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Be a Filipino citizen, aged under 45 for Master’s/Doctorate and under 50 for Sandwich programs.
- Hold a relevant Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.
- Be in good health and of good moral character (two references required).
- Have no pending administrative or criminal cases.
- Secure admission to a CHED-recognized Higher Educational Institution (HEI) or pass their department’s internal scholarship process for government employees.
- Present a research or thesis plan aligned with PhilSA’s Key Development Areas.
Fields of Study
Scholarships are available for disciplines critical to advancing space research and applications, including:
- Space data applications (e.g., remote sensing, geospatial technologies).
- Spacecraft systems and engineering (e.g., robotics, satellite development).
- Space law, policy, and economics.
- Multidisciplinary studies (e.g., astrophysics, planetary science, space medicine).
Apply: https://philsa.gov.ph/news/philsa-ad-astra-scholarships-call-for-applications-2025/
Application Deadlines
Applications are accepted year-round, with specific deadlines per category:
- Local Scholarships: June 15 for the First Semester; October 15 for the Second Semester.
- Stand-alone Sandwich Program: March 30, 2025.
- Foreign Scholarships: March 30, 2025 for programs starting August to December.
