UM Bright Scholarship 2027 in Malaysia | Fully Funded

The UM Bright Scholarship is a fully funded PhD scholarship at the University of Malaya for research-degree candidates. It provides a monthly stipend and a full tuition fee waiver to support doctoral research in priority fields. The program targets both Malaysian citizens and international students enrolled at UM and seeks to attract top research talent.

The scholarship is open to all nationalities, including Malaysian citizens and international students enrolled at the University of Malaya. Applicants must meet academic and age requirements, including holding a relevant Bachelor’s and a research-based or mixed-mode Master’s degree with the specified CGPA thresholds.

Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree with a CGPA of more than 3.70 and a Research-based or mixed-mode Master’s degree with a CGPA equal to or more than 3.70/4.00. The program specifically requires strong academic records to be considered eligible for the UM Bright Scholarship.

English proficiency is required with accepted scores of IELTS 6.5+, TOEFL 73-93, or CEFR B2. The English proficiency evidence must be valid for two years at the time of application. Applicants should include valid proof of English scores when submitting their application.

Yes. The maximum age of the applicant must be 30 years at the time of application. This age cap is a stated eligibility requirement for the UM Bright Scholarship 2027 and applicants should ensure they meet this criterion before applying.

The scholarship provides a monthly stipend of RM3,500 for 42 months and a full tuition fee waiver for seven semesters. The coverage explicitly excludes insurance, visas, flights, medical exams, and accommodation, which applicants must arrange independently.

The scholarship supports a range of research fields listed by the University of Malaya, including nuclear energy and new energy transition, semiconductor and chips, nanotechnology and quantum exploration, AI and digital robotics, space science and engineering, food sustainability and security, medical and health excellence, rare earths and critical minerals, defense and security innovation, and social science advancement.

Required documents include a passport-sized photo, completed UMES application form, publication proof (first page), identity card copy, Bachelor’s and Master’s degree certificates and transcripts, and a valid English proficiency certificate. Applicants should prepare these documents before starting the online application.

To apply, candidates must apply online, fill in the UM application form, and then submit their application. The official page notes an online submission process but does not provide a direct program URL on this page, so applicants should follow University of Malaya application procedures.

The page states that the last date is ‘Open all the Year’ and that the application deadline is variable according to the fields of research. There is no single fixed deadline listed, so applicants should check the University of Malaya or the specific field’s guidance for timing.