2026/2027 ASEAN Doctoral Field Research Grant

IRASEC Scholarship

The Research Institute on Contemporary Southeast Asia (IRASEC) invites applications for its ASEAN Doctoral Field Research Grant. This grant is open to candidates of all ASEAN nationalities who are currently enrolled in a doctoral program at a university within the ASEAN region and pursuing research on contemporary Southeast Asia.

The grant is intended to support original fieldwork addressing one of the following research themes in one or more ASEAN member States :

• Ageing otherwise (e.g. productive and active ageing ; informal insurances and safety nets ; transgenerational solidarities)
• Stakes and limits of data centers (e.g. political ecology and territorial politics ; regulatory frameworks and their gaps)
• Gen Z as political actors (e.g. transnational networks of solidarity ; digital repertoires of mobilization ; values and expectations)
• Transboundary environmental pollution (e.g. heavy metal and industrial pollutant, marine plastic waste, transboundary haze)

Proposals must demonstrate an innovative perspective and rely on the collection of first-hand empirical data.

The selection, evaluation of applications, and designation of the awardee will be undertaken by the IRASEC Research Council, which has full authority in this matter. The grant consists of a lump sum of €2,000 (Two Thousand Euros), disbursed in a single installment upon signature of the agreement.

The awardee will be required to submit a Working Paper within six months of completing fieldwork. Subject to acceptance and potential academic editing, this paper will be published in IRASEC’s “Occasional Papers” series (long format) or “Discussion Papers” series (average format), available on its website. The Working Paper must constitute a genuine piece of scholarly research, rather than a mere field report.

The grantee will be recognized as an Associated PhD Fellow of IRASEC for a period of two years. During this time, the awardee may, if desired, be hosted at IRASEC’s headquarters in Bangkok and participate in the institute’s academic activities.

Application Timeline (2026/2027) :

• 5 December 2026 : Submission of applications.
• 15 December 2026 : Notification of results, following evaluation and ranking of applications by the IRASEC Scientific Research Council. The grant agreement will subsequently be signed, and the grant disbursed before the end of 2026.
• Fieldwork must be conducted between 20 December 2026 and 31 August 2027.

Application Requirements :

• A detailed curriculum vitae.
• A project description (maximum 5 pages ; 2,500–3,000 words), including a literature review, research plan, and concise bibliography.
• Proof of doctoral enrollment (student identification card or official enrollment certificate).
• Soft copies of max. 3 recent and significant publications (if applicable)
• Letters of recommendation will not be considered

Completed application must be submitted by email to both the Director (jeremy.jammes irasec.com) and the Deputy Director (maxime.boutry irasec.com).

Submission deadline : 5 December 2026.