The Thai-Swedish Trilateral Fellowship Programme 2017, Thailand and Sweden

General information

A joint Doctoral Fellowship Programme for students from Bangladesh, Nepal, and CLMV countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam) is co–sponsored by the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), the Thailand Research Fund (TRF) (under the Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. Program), and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) (managed by the International Science Programme (ISP), Uppsala University).

This joint Doctoral Fellowship Programme is a joint collaboration between Sweden and Thailand aiming at supporting interested students from Bangladesh, Nepal, and CLMV countries (up to three scholarships per year) to pursue their doctoral studies in Thailand and Sweden, with the opportunity to undertake research with Thai and Swedish advisors of academic excellence in the scientific fields of Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and Biology.

1. Academic disciplines, qualifications, and duration of studies

1. This programme is open to public and private personnel as well as university graduates from all academic disciplines in the field of Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and Biology in particular regarding studies contributing to the development objectives of the applicant’s country.

2. The interested applicants should have the following qualifications:

   • A master’s degree in a discipline related to the proposed doctoral study with a GPA of not less than 3.5 (from a total of 4.0) or equivalent from an institution of higher education recognized by TRF, and

   • A bachelor’s degree with a GPA of not less than 3.0 (from a total of 4.0) or equivalent from an institution of higher education recognized by TRF;

   • Research publication(s) or oral/poster presentation(s) at a scientific meeting with English abstract(s) will be given a priority;

   • Appropriate background to undertake the proposal he/she has outlined.

3. The fellowship will be awarded when a successful applicant has been accepted as a doctoral student in a Thai university’s doctoral programme recognized by TRF.

4. The prospective major thesis advisor of the applicant in a Thai university’s doctoral programme must be qualified as a Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. advisor under the regulation stipulated by TRF.

5. Participants are expected to complete their doctoral studies within 3 consecutive academic years (2 years in Thailand and 1 year in Sweden). Should any participant wish to prolong his/her research (in Thailand or Sweden), his/her major thesis advisor in a Thai university’s doctoral programme will have to submit a request to TRF. This request will then be submitted to TICA and the ISP for consideration. If approved, the prolonged period of study should not exceed 1 year in Thailand or in Sweden.

6. Once the prolongation of the study has been approved, TICA and TRF shall be responsible for the expenditures allocated in individual granting contract to cover the prolonged period of the study undertaken in Thailand for no more than 1 year. The ISP shall be responsible for the expenditures incurred in Sweden. However, if a student cannot complete his/her doctoral study within 4 years, he/she will still be able to pursue his/her doctoral study within the timeframe set by his/her university in Thailand, but with his/her own support.

Application procedures

1. For the government officer: must get approval from their organizations

   prior to submitting their application through the designated focal point

   agency for development cooperation in their respective countries;

2. For the non-government officer : must get approval from their organizations prior to submitting their application directly to the Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate in their respective countries

   Any interested applicant should submit three (3) copies of completed application form together with proposed research plan and relevant documents listed in the attached checklist to the Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate in their respective countries.

   The detailed guidelines for application are as follows;

3. For the students who are currently studying in Thai Universities : must get permission from their organizations to continue study for doctoral degree prior to submitting their applications directly to the Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate in their respective countries.
4. Up to three (3) fellowships may be awarded each year for postgraduate students from Bangladesh, Nepal, and CLMV to pursue their Ph.D. studies in Thailand and Sweden.
5. The Royal Thai Government will inform the nominating government (or relevant authority) whether or not the nominee(s) has been accepted for the course, normally at least two months before the programme of study starts.
6. Information of programme and the application form can also be accessed or downloaded at the following websites:

General Qualification

An applicant must:

1. be a citizen from one of 6 eligible countries, namely the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Union of Myanmar, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (CLMV); the People's Republic of Bangladesh, or the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

2. be under 40 years of age;

3. fulfill the qualifications required by TRF, as described under 1.1 and 1.2;

4. be fluent in written and verbal English as courses are conducted in English;

5. be in good health, both physically and mentally, as they are required to stay throughout the course;

6. meet the required qualifications specified for the programme;

7. be prepared for at least three years for a study leave as required for a successful candidate.

Allowances and Expenses

The following allowances and expenses will be borne by the Royal Thai Government and the Swedish Government:

1. An economy class air ticket from an appropriate international airport of the student’s home country to Thailand will be sent to each participant by a representative of the Thai Airways International, or through the National Airline Office in the participant’s country. An air ticket to the home country will be issued to each participant just one week before the completion of his/her Ph.D. study as well as the fellowship contract. Participants should not buy air tickets themselves and should be advised that if they do so, the cost cannot be reimbursed.

2. For research study in Sweden for 1 year, the participant’s major thesis advisor has to submit a travel and research plan, in consultation with the Swedish co- advisor, to the ISP and the RGJ-Ph.D. Programme at least three months before the end of the Swedish fiscal year (31 December) for approval prior to their study leave beginning January of the following year. The ISP will arrange for an economy return air ticket from Sweden.

3. While studying in Thailand, each participant will receive a monthly allowance of 7,000 baht to cover meals, local transportation and other personal expenses. Accommodation and other expenses, such as health insurance, educational and research expenses, educational materials, field trips, and thesis preparation, will be provided for as per the regulations of the Royal Thai Government. It is suggested that each participant bring some pocket money to cover the initial expenses before the allowance is paid.

4. While studying in Sweden, each participant will receive a health insurance, exemption of fee for residence permit, and a monthly subsistence allowance covering personal expenses and accommodation.

5. Participants should be in good health and must not have any health condition, which may require treatment in Thailand and Sweden during the study.

Regulations

Participants are required to observe the following regulations:

1. Participants should only stay at places recommended by the Royal Thai Government and the Swedish Government.

2. Participants must not bring any family members with them to Thailand and Sweden.

3. Participants must return to their home countries after the completion of his/her Ph.D. studies as well as the fellowship contract at the scheduled date. Participants are required to fly only on the route designated and must not make any alterations. Please be informed that the maximum allowable baggage that can be loaded on flights is 20 kilograms. Participants will be responsible for any cost incurred in exceeding this limit.

4. Participants must observe the rules and regulations of the training institution(s) and the fellowship contract.

5. Participants must refrain from engaging in political activities, or any form of employment for profit or gain.