PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship 2026 offers full tuition and monthly stipend

Qualified graduates pursuing research, a Master’s, or a Doctoral degree in fields related to Space Science, Technology, and Applications (SSTA) may receive full coverage of tuition, a monthly stipend, and multiple other allowances through the Philippine Space Agency’s Advanced Degrees for Accelerating Strategic Space R&D and Applications (AD ASTRA) Scholarships Program.

The program offers full, partial/lateral, and sandwich program scholarships for fields relevant to the agency’s Key Development Areas (KDAs), at local or international higher educational institutions (HEIs).

The PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarships Program is administered by the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA). Beginning 2026, applications are accepted throughout the year, subject to specific deadlines per scholarship type.

If you are a graduate looking to pursue advanced studies in space science and technology, here is what you need to know about the PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarships, including the priority fields, benefits, qualifications, requirements, and how to apply.

READ: Megaworld Foundation Scholarship requirements

What is the PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarships Program?

The AD ASTRA Scholarships Program funds research, Master’s, or Doctoral studies for students who have completed their Bachelor’s degree and are aiming to pursue further studies in fields related to Space Science, Technology, and Applications (SSTA), including space law, diplomacy, industry, and economics.

Priority Areas or Fields:

Space data applications:

• Remote sensing and spatial analysis,
• Geospatial technologies with a focus on Earth observation,
• Photogrammetry,
• Environmental monitoring,
• Climate studies,
• Geophysics,
• Geomatics,
• Geoinformation science,
• Satellite meteorology,
• Astrostatistics,
• and atmospheric science.

Spacecraft systems development, engineering, and robotics

• Satellite development and operation,
• Space systems,
• Spacecraft design and analysis,
• Payload system development,
• Rocketry,
• Instrumentation and signal processing,
• Aeronautics,
• Astronautics,
• Internet of robotic things (IoRT),
• Space cybersecurity,
• Intelligent systems,
• and space debris mitigation and removal.

Space law, policy, and entrepreneurship

• Space,
• Cyber,
• Telecommunications law,
• International relations,
• Diplomacy,
• Space business/economics,
• and space tourism.

Multidisciplinary studies

• Materials science and engineering for the space environment,
• Space experimental hardware for materials investigation,
• Astronomy,
• Astrobiology,
• Space biology,
• Space biotechnology,
• Space medicine,
• Astrophysics,
• Space physics,
• Astrogeology,
• Archeoastronomy,
• Space archeology,
• Forensic astronomy,
• Space chemistry,
• Planetary science,
• Space exploration,
• Cosmology,
• Earth and space sciences,
• and STEM education with a focus on astronomy and space science.

Who can apply for the PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship?

According to PhilSA’s published eligibility criteria, an applicant must meet the following conditions:

• Must be a Filipino citizen.
• Must be in good health.
• Must not be more than 45 years old at the time of application for Master’s and Doctorate Scholarships, or not more than 50 years old for stand-alone sandwich programs.
• Must be of good moral character, as attested by two (2) character references.
• Must have a relevant Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree.
• Must have no pending administrative or criminal case.
• Must have no pending service obligation from any previous scholarship program, unless there is clearance or consent from the previous granting institution allowing postponement of the return service obligation, with confirmation that monitoring of the previous obligation will not be transferred to PhilSA.
• Must have a research/thesis/dissertation plan in line with PhilSA’s Key Development Areas.
• Must have passed the admission requirements of any CHED-recognized HEI, for local scholarship applicants.
• Must have passed the internal scholarship process of their Department/Agency, for government employees.
• Must have been accepted to their host institution.

PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship Benefits

Scholars receive the following benefits, with amounts varying by degree level:

Benefits	Description	Master’s	Doctorate
Tuition and other school fees	Covers actual tuition and related school fees	Actual	Actual
Stipend (accommodation, meals, incidentals)	Contribution to living expenses	Local: ₱27,500/month; Foreign: based on actual cost of living, plus health insurance	Local: ₱36,000/month; Foreign: based on actual cost of living, plus health insurance
Book Allowance	For books, journal subscriptions, instructional materials, and supplies	₱22,000/year	₱22,000/year
Technological Support	Laptop and monthly internet/communication expenses	₱50,000 per laptop (maximum); ₱1,000 monthly internet	₱50,000 per laptop (maximum); ₱1,000 monthly internet
Round-trip Transportation Allowance	One round-trip economy fare, start and end of scholarship only	Actual (reimbursement basis)	Actual (reimbursement basis)
Pre-departure	Allowance Passport, visa, terminal fees, immunization, and related costs (for grantees abroad)	Actual (reimbursement basis)	Actual (reimbursement basis)
Relocation Allowance	One-time allowance for moving expenses to a distant institution	Upon formal request and approval	Upon formal request and approval
Disability Support	Reasonable accommodations for scholars with disabilities	Upon formal request and approval	Upon formal request and approval
Extra Academic Activities	Membership in professional societies, study visits, workshops, seminars	Upon formal request and approval	Upon formal request and approval
Thesis/Dissertation/Internship Allowance	Covers thesis/dissertation preparation, capstone projects, or internships	₱66,000	₱110,000
Research Grant	Additional funding if thesis/dissertation budget exceeds the standard allowance	Upon approval, subject to liquidation; maximum ₱125,400	Upon approval, subject to liquidation; maximum ₱278,300
Research Dissemination Grant	For thesis/dissertation research accepted for conference presentation or journal publication (available up to 1 year post-graduation)	₱82,500 (subject to liquidation)	₱165,000 (subject to liquidation)
Mentor’s Fee	Incentive for research/thesis mentors	₱39,600	₱79,200
Mentoring/Support Program	Orientation, onboarding, consultation sessions, event invitations	Access to information and PhilSA community resources	Access to information and PhilSA community resources
Membership in PhilSA Scholars Group	Send-off events, graduation ceremonies, alumni assemblies	Access to information and PhilSA community resources	Access to information and PhilSA community resources

Swipe left or right to view the complete table on mobile devices.

Apply Also: GSIS STEM Scholarship Application form and requirements

PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship Application Deadlines

Applications are accepted throughout the year, with the following deadlines per scholarship type:

Scholarship Type	Intake	Deadline
Stand-alone Sandwich Program	–	March 30
Foreign Graduate Scholarships	August to December intake of the current year	March 30
Foreign Graduate Scholarships	January to July intake of the following year	August 30
Local Graduate Scholarships (Term 1 / Semester 1)	July to October intake of the current year	June 15
Local Graduate Scholarships (Term 2 / Semester 2)	November to December intake of the current year; January to February intake of the following year	October 15
Local Graduate Scholarships (Term 3 / Midyear / Summer Term)	March to June intake of the current year	February 15

Swipe left or right to view the complete table on mobile devices.

How to Apply for the PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship

1. Carefully read and fully understand the guidelines and requirements of the PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarships Program before proceeding.
2. Download the updated application forms (forms are updated as of June 2026).
3. Prepare electronic copies, in PDF format, of all required supporting documents.
4. Submit your complete application online through the official submission link.

Important: Applications with incomplete documentary requirements shall not be processed. Applicants are advised to ensure they use the updated forms before submitting.

Where to Inquire

For inquiries, applicants may contact PhilSA through:

Email: scholarships@philsa.gov.ph
Phone: +632 8568 9931

All data gathered through the application form will be processed in accordance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and used solely for official PhilSA scholarship-related activities.

Frequently Asked Questions