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

On August 6, 2017, the Government of Canada announced the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) program to provide 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 (SEED) 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 scholarships are facilitated through institutional collaborations and student exchange agreements between post-secondary institutions in Canada and their partner institutions in ASEAN countries.

Roles and responsibilities

Canadian post-secondary institutions

Canadian institutions:

• submit applications on behalf of eligible candidates;
• promote this scholarship opportunity to faculty and staff members, as well as to partner institutions in ASEAN countries;
• rank applications based on the institution’s strategic priorities;
• identify a single person responsible for the submission of applications;
• sign a Contribution Agreement with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) and disburse scholarship funds to successful candidates; and
• submit qualitative and quantitative reports during the scholarship period.

Scholarship candidates

Candidates, interested in this scholarship program should:

• make their interest known to their home institution;
• find out if there is an existing institutional collaboration or exchange agreement between their home institution and a Canadian institution;
• request information from their home institution about the application process and selection criteria specific to the Canadian partner institution; and
• ensure they meet the eligibility requirements.

Post-secondary institutions in ASEAN countries

Post-secondary institutions in ASEAN countries should:

• communicate with partner institutions in Canada to confirm or explore institutional collaborations and student exchange agreements;
• promote this scholarship opportunity through their international offices;
• identify candidates who meet the eligibility and admission requirements for the Canadian partner institution;
• provide supporting documents for their candidates to the Canadian partner institution, which is responsible for submitting the scholarship applications; and
• advise selected candidates to gain additional linguistic training and intercultural skills before their departure.

Successful applicants

Scholarship recipients agree to:

• engage in full-time studies or research as defined by the Canadian institution;
• arrive in Canada for the uptake of their award between August 1, 2022 but no later than February 1, 2023. Failure to arrive during this time may result in the cancellation of the scholarship.
• abstain from clinical training or clinically-oriented research involving direct patient-care;
• focus primarily on full-time studies or research during their stay in Canada; and
• return to their home institutions after the scholarship period to complete their studies.

Additional information

• The scholarship administrator will not provide feedback to unsuccessful candidates.
• Scholarships cannot be deferred and are not renewable.
• Scholarships are subject to availability of funding from the Government of Canada.
• Scholarships are not taxable for either the Canadian institution or the scholarship recipient.

Funding for SEED scholarships is made available by Global Affairs Canada through its legal title: the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD).

Scholarship value and duration

The Canadian institution will receive funding from DFATD for all successful candidates in the form of a contribution agreement and will be responsible for providing the funds to scholarship recipients.

Scholarship values vary depending on the duration and level of study:

• CAD 10,200 for college, undergraduate or graduate students (Master’s and PhD) for a minimum of four months or one academic term of study or research;
• CAD 12,700 for graduate students (Master’s and PhD) for a period of five to six months of study or research; or
• CAD 15,900 for undergraduate and college students for a period of eight months or two academic terms of study or research.

In addition to the funds allocated to the recipients by DFATD, Canadian host institutions will receive CAD 500 per scholarship recipient to assist with administrative costs once the scholarship recipient arrives in Canada.

In certain cases, Canadian institutions may be eligible for reimbursement of additional employer compliance fees paid to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Eligible expenses

Scholarship funds should be used towards:

• visa and/or study/work permit fees;
• airfare for the scholarship recipient only via the most direct and economical route;
• health insurance;
• living expenses, such as accommodation, utilities and food;
• ground transportation, including a public transportation pass; and
• books and supplies required for the recipient’s study or research, excluding computers and other equipment.

The Canadian institution will receive funding from DFATD in the form of a contribution agreement and disburse funds to scholarship recipients according to its internal processes.

Should a recipient not take up the scholarship, Canadian institutions must return all funds, including the administrative fee, to DFATD.

Deadline for Canadian institutions

The deadline for Canadian institutions to submit online applications on behalf of candidates is 11:59 p.m. EST, March 3, 2022.

Canadian institutions should establish an earlier deadline with candidates and their home institutions to ensure timely receipt of supporting documents.

Deadline for candidates and home institutions

Interested candidates should check with their home institution and the Canadian institution to obtain their respective internal deadlines to submit required documents.

Notification

The scholarship administrator will provide Canadian institutions with a preliminary update on the eligibility status of their respective applications by the end of April 2022, and the final selection by the end of May 2022, following approval from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD).

Canadian institutions must notify the successful candidates in due course to allow them time to submit their visa or study/work permit application as early as possible.

International candidates should contact their home institution or the Canadian institution regarding the status of their application.

Arrival in Canada

Scholarship recipients must begin their studies or research between August 1, 2022 and February 1, 2023.