Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED)

The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) Program is a short-term exchange program offered by Global Affairs Canada. This program provides opportunities for students from ASEAN member states to conduct short-term study or research in Canadian post-secondary institutions in areas that contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development program aims to reduce poverty in the developing countries of ASEAN and to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Scholarships and educational exchanges will contribute towards the achievement of all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SEED contributes to strengthening people-to-people ties between Canada and the Indo-Pacific region.

SEED scholarships are facilitated through institutional collaborations and student exchange agreements between post-secondary institutions in Canada and their partner institutions in ASEAN countries. Students wishing to pursue short-term studies or research in Canada should review the eligibility criteria and contact their institution’s international office for application details. Canadian institutions must apply on behalf of eligible candidates.

 

To be eligible, candidates must be:

  • Citizens of an ASEAN member state
    • Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos (Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)), Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam
  • Enrolled full-time at a post-secondary institution in an ASEAN member state
  • Paying tuition fees to that institution at the time of application and for the full duration of their exchange

Candidates are not eligible for this scholarship if they:

  • Hold or have a pending application for Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
  • Are already participating in a scholarship program funded by the Government of Canada
  • Are already enrolled in a degree, diploma or certificate program at a Canadian post-secondary institution
  • Have previously received a scholarship under the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development Program

Scolarship Value and Duration

Award Component Value Duration Activities
College / undergraduate
(4 months)		 $10,200 Four months or one academic term Study or research at the college or undergraduate level. A valid student exchange agreement that waives tuition fees is required.
Graduate
(4 months)		 $10,200 Four months or one academic term Study or research at the graduate level (Masters and PhD). A student exchange agreement is not required.

 

Eligible expenses

Selected candidates may use scholarship funds towards:

  1. Visa or study/work permit fees
  2. Airfare via the most direct and economical route
  3. Health insurance
  4. Living expenses, such as accommodation, utilities and food
  5. Ground transportation, including a public transportation pass
  6. Books and supplies required for their study or research, excluding computers and other equipment

How funding works?

Canadian institutions will receive funding from Global Affairs Canada, through its legal name, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) in the form of a non-negotiable contribution agreement and will be responsible for providing the funds to successful candidates. Should a selected candidate not take up the scholarship, Canadian institutions must return those funds, including the administrative fee, to DFATD.

Institutions must ensure documents are complete and accurate as per the instructions. Revised documents will not be accepted after the deadline. Documents in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by a translation.

  • Proof of citizenship
    • A copy of the candidate’s passport or national identity card with a photo and valid dates
    • Documents not accepted as proof of citizenship are: driver’s license, permanent residence card, work permit, student card, health card, birth certificate or baptismal certificate
    • Proof of citizenship selected must be from the same country/territory as the citizenship selected in the online application form
  • Signed Privacy Notice Statement
  • Letter of intent from the candidate (maximum one page)
    • Explains the nature of studies or research to be undertaken
    • Provides rationale for study in Canada and for the choice of institution, program and supervisor and how the proposed program of study or research will relate to their future career
    • Explains how undertaking study or research in Canada will empower the student to apply their learning to address the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
    • Explains how they intend to use their learning to help combat poverty and narrow the development gap in the ASEAN region in their future career
    • Identifies the Sustainable Development Goal(SDG)  their proposed study or research in Canada is aligned with and will contribute to (letters that do not identify an SDG will be deemed incomplete and not eligible)
    • Candidates from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand or Vietnam must provide an explanation of how their learning in Canada will help to combat poverty in their home country
    • Candidates from Brunei or Singapore must provide an explanation of how their learning in Canada will help combat poverty in one of the other eight ASEAN countries
  • Letter of proof of full-time enrolment from the home institution
    • On official letterhead
    • Dated within the last six months
    • Confirms that the candidate is currently enrolled in a full-time program (letters that do not confirm full-time student status will be deemed incomplete and not eligible)
    • Copies of transcripts, a student card or a letter of admission are not acceptable
  • Letter of support from the home institution (maximum one page)
    • On official letterhead
    • Dated within the last six months
    • From the candidate’s instructor, professor or international director
    • Explains the nature of study or research to be undertaken in Canada and how the candidate and the home institution will benefit from this scholarship program
    • Assesses the candidate’s commitment and capacity to use the program of study or research in Canada to help combat poverty and narrow the development gap in the ASEAN region
  • Letter of invitation from the Canadian supervisor (graduate students only, maximum one page)
    • On institutional letterhead
    • Dated within the last six months
    • Signed by the Canadian supervisor
    • Describes the nature and scope of the research collaboration with the student’s home institution
    • Confirms their willingness to support and mentor the candidate during the exchange period
    • Explains how the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers will benefit from the exchange
    • Confirms that tuition fees are waived when there is no MOU in force
  • Signed copy of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Agreement with the partner institution
    • Indicates that tuition fees will not be charged and highlights this specific clause
    • College and undergraduate research applications with no existing agreement can include a letter from the international office or equivalent on official letterhead that links the application to a specific international research collaboration, names the Canadian supervisor and confirms that tuition will not be charged. The letter must be dated within the last six months and be a maximum of one page
    • Expired agreements will not be accepted – if the agreement is in the process of renewal, institutions must include a letter to this effect
    • For graduate applications, an agreement is recommended but not required

Applications are evaluated based on:

  • The linkage of the proposed research or study that the student will undertake in Canada to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
  • The candidate’s commitment to use their proposed research or studies in Canada to help combat poverty and narrow the development gap in the ASEAN region
  • Merit of the research or study to be undertaken in Canada
  • Benefit to the home institution and peers
  • Benefit to the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers
  • Strength of the linkages to be created through the proposed exchange
  • Rankings submitted by the Canadian institution

SEED Opportunities

The Canada-ASEAN SEED program is calling YOU!

Explore your SEED opportunity now with AGE UNAIR and grow beyond borders.

SEED Stories

February 25, 2026

From Tambora to Nova Scotia: Intan Putriani’s Journey Through Fair Trade Coffee Research

February 20, 2026

Exploring Storytelling Networks in Agritourism: Diffa’s Research Journey at Dalhousie University

March 25, 2025

Exploring Academic Growth and Research Through the Canada-ASEAN SEED Scholarship: A Journey at Dalhousie University

March 14, 2025

Academic Discovery And Research Skill Enhancement: A Canada-ASEAN SEED Scholar’s Experience At Dalhousie University

Participating in the Canada–ASEAN SEED Program at Dalhousie University was a deeply transformative experience for me. It allowed me to pursue my academic interest in traditional health beliefs and dietary acculturation while immersing myself in a vibrant global research environment. Engaging with scholars and students from diverse cultural and disciplinary backgrounds enriched my understanding of consumer behavior and broadened my perspectives on cross-cultural research. I am grateful for the support of my supervisor and the opportunities to exchange ideas, develop new methodological skills, and experience an inclusive academic community. Overall, this program was a meaningful and memorable journey that expanded my academic horizons and opened pathways for future international collaboration.
Arva Athallah Susanto, Student, Faculty of Economics and Business

Participating in the Canada-ASEAN SEED 2025 program at Dalhousie University was an experience that exceeded my expectations and successfully reignited my passion for lifelong learning. I hope other ASEAN students can have the same experience, because Canada, especially Nova Scotia, has it all: comfortable cities, unique houses and buildings, history, healthy and fresh food and drinks, and friendly people. At the very least, it will be one of the best experiences of your life.

Intan Putriani, Student, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences

Joining the Canada-ASEAN SEED program was a transformative experience. It allowed me to learn directly from communities, researchers, and cultural landscapes that shaped my project and personal growth. This opportunity truly expanded how I see research, storytelling, and myself.

Diffa Shalavy Putri, Student, School of Postgraduate