The collaborative initiative between Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and SEARCA began in 2012 and has been extended for five academic years, starting in September 2020 and ending in August 2025, under a new framework. For each full scholarship from SEARCA given to qualified nationals of the eleven SEAMEO member countries who plan to pursue their Master's or PhD degrees at UPM, UPM will provide a matching scholarship in the form of a full fee waiver (2 years for Master's degrees and 3 years for PhD degrees), according to the project. Under this cooperative scholarship programme, three scholars have already finished their studies, while four others are still enrolled.

• Tuition and other school fees;
• Travel allowance to cover international/domestic travel;
• Health and life insurance;
• Stipend for food, lodging and incidental expenses;
• Book and supplies allowance; and
• Thesis/Dissertation research/writing budget;

• Open to nationals of SEAMEO member countries who are employees of academic or research institutions or government agencies (priority is given to regular employees).
• Must not be more than 35 (Master's Degree) or 40 (PhD) years of age at the time of application.
• The proposed thesis research should focus on SEARCA's overarching theme of Accelerating Transformation Through Agricultural Innovation (ATTAIN). Moreover, priority research topics must fall within the ATTAIN priority areas:
  • Agri-Business Models for Increased Productivity and Income
  • Sustainable Farming Systems and Natural Resource Management
  • Food and Nutrition Security
  • Transformational Leadership for Agricultural and Rural Development (ARD)
  • Gender and Youth Engagement in ARD
  • Enhanced ARD towards Climate Resilience
  • EcoHealth/One Health Applications to ARD

The required documents to be submitted should be in English or must have the official translation in English:

1. Original/certified true copy of a transcript of academic records bearing the seal of the University and original signature of the Registrar or Head of the University. Applicants for an MS degree should submit their authentic/certified true copy of the Bachelor of Science (BS) transcript. PhD degree applicants should submit their original/certified true copies of BS and MS transcripts of records.
2. Original or certified true copies of certificates of completion/diploma for every degree completed.
3. Certificate of employment
4. Endorsement from the employer
5. Updated curriculum vitae
6. Brief description of the research the applicant plans to conduct for thesis/dissertation. The research topic must be in line with SEARCA's overarching theme of Accelerating Transformation Through Agricultural Innovation (ATTAIN) with the following priority areas:
   • Agri-Business Models for Increased Productivity and Income
   • Sustainable Farming Systems and Natural Resource Management
   • Food and Nutrition Security
   • Transformational Leadership for Agricultural and Rural Development (ARD)
   • Gender and Youth Engagement in ARD
   • Enhanced ARD towards Climate Resilience
   • EcoHealth/One Health Applications to ARD
7. Certification from a medical doctor that the applicant is in good physical and mental health condition and is fit to undertake graduate studies
8. Preferred to have IELTS results of 6.0 or TOEFL iBT result of 75, taken within two years before application as proof of English proficiency