Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development

The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) Program, launched on August 6, 2017, offers students from ASEAN countries the opportunity to study in Canada. The program supports short-term study and research, aligning with the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its main goals are to reduce poverty and strengthen connections between Canada and the Indo-Pacific region.

This scholarship program is a collaboration between Canadian universities and institutions in ASEAN countries, encouraging both academic and cultural exchange.

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Who Can Apply?

To be eligible, you must:

• Be a citizen of an ASEAN country (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam).
• Be enrolled full-time at a post-secondary institution in an ASEAN country.
• Continue paying tuition to your home institution during the exchange.

You CANNOT apply if you:

• Are a Canadian citizen or have applied for permanent residency.
• Are already receiving another Canadian government-funded scholarship.
• Are currently studying in Canada for a degree, diploma, or certificate.
• Have previously received a SEED scholarship.

For Canadian universities hosting students:

• They must be Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs).
• They must have a student exchange agreement that waives tuition fees (for college/undergraduate students only).

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Scholarship Amount & 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. College / undergraduate (8 months) $15,900 Eight months or two academic terms 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. Graduate (5-6 months) $12,700 Five to six months Study or research at the graduate level (Masters and PhD). A student exchange agreement is not required.

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What Does the Scholarship Cover?

• The scholarship helps pay for:
• Visa or study/work permit fees
• Round-trip airfare (most cost-effective route)
• Health insurance
• Living expenses (rent, utilities, food)
• Local transportation (public transit pass)
• Books and study materials (excluding computers and equipment)

Canadian institutions can recieve:

• $500 per scholarship recipient to aid with administrative costs once the student arrives in Canada
• reimbursement of additional employer compliance fees paid to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in some cases

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How Funding Works

• The Canadian government provides the scholarship funds to universities.
• The universities distribute the money to selected students.
• If a student declines the scholarship, all funds (including administrative fees) must be returned.

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Application Process

Who Applies?
Canadian universities must apply on behalf of students before the deadline.

What Institutions Need to Do:

• Advertise the scholarship to students and faculty.
• Ensure they have exchange agreements with ASEAN institutions.
• Identify eligible students.

Non-Canadian universities interested in sending students to canada should:

• review eligibility requirements
• explore students exchange agreement with Canadian institutions
• promote this scholarship to students
• identify students who meet the eligibility and admission requirements for the Canadian institutions

What Students Need to Do:

• Check if their university partners with a Canadian institution.
• Confirm eligibility and ask their international office about the application process.
• Meet the admission requirements for the Canadian university.

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How to Apply (For Canadian Institutions)

1. Assign a program coordinator.
2. Log in or create an account on Momentum (Canada’s scholarship portal).
3. Select Canada-ASEAN SEED 
4. Complete the application and upload the required documents.
5. Review and submit the application.
6. Receive confirmation and a reference number.

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How Applications Are Evaluated

• Relevance of the proposed study to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Student’s commitment to reducing poverty and supporting development in ASEAN.
• Academic strength of the proposed study or research.
• Benefits to both home and Canadian institutions.
• Connections built through the exchange.
• Ranking by the Canadian university.

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Application Deadline

Deadline: Canadian institutions must submit applications online by 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 21, 2024.

To avoid last-minute issues, institutions should set an earlier deadline for candidates and their home universities to ensure all required documents are received on time.

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Notification of Results

Results Announcement: Successful applicants will be notified in the spring through their Canadian institution.

Important Notes:

• No feedback will be provided for unsuccessful applications.
• Canadian institutions are responsible for informing students of their results.
• Students should check with their home institution or the Canadian university for updates on their application status.

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Student Arrival in Canada

Arrival Window:

• Students can arrive as early as August 1, 2024 for the fall semester.
• The latest arrival date is February 1, 2025 for the winter/spring semester.

Late arrivals may result in scholarship cancellation.

Apply Early! Students should submit their visa or study/work permit application as soon as possible to avoid delays.

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Scholarship Conditions

Selected students must:

• Be enrolled full-time at their Canadian institution.
• NOT participate in clinical training or research involving direct patient care.
• Focus on their studies while in Canada.
• Return to their home institution after the scholarship ends.

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Additional Notes

• The scholarship cannot be deferred or renewed.
• It is not taxable for students or institutions.
• Funding depends on availability from the Government of Canada.

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Contact Information

For questions, contact the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE):
📧 Email: seed-bpeed@cbie.ca
📞 Phone: 613-237-4820