DEGREE PROGRAM

Our degree programs provide you opportunities to pursue MS and PhD degrees, as well as fellowships to update your technical knowledge and skills as professionals in the national rice research systems.

IRRI Research Scholar

These are NARS scientists who come to IRRI to work for the MS or PhD degree. They usually register in an accredited university for course work, and do their MS/PhD thesis research at IRRI under the supervision of an IRS. Many come with full support from IRRI for both “coursework and thesis”, but some come with support for “thesis only research”. They are funded either from IRRI core funds or grant funds administered by IRRI.

• Full scholarship (i.e., coursework and thesis)
  Full scholarships are generally granted only to qualified students from countries with relatively less developed educational systems. IRRI has defined these to include developing countries other than Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. This scholarship supports both coursework and thesis research. Scholars receiving a full scholarship are normally enrolled either at the University of the Philippines Los Baños or at any of the IRRI-accredited universities in the region for their coursework requirements before undertaking thesis research at IRRI or in the region. IRRI scholarship will support a scholar for a maximum of 2 ½ years for full MS and 3 ½ years for full PhD.
  
• Thesis-only scholarship.
  ¦ This scholarship supports only thesis research on topics of IRRI’s interest at IRRI or in the region. The scholar completes coursework in a university and is ready to conduct thesis research at IRRI or elsewhere in collaboration with or under the supervision of an IRRI scientist. Scholars from all developing countries (including Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand) are eligible for IRRI thesis-only scholarships.

Affiliate Research Scholars

• These are scientists from developing countries who come to IRRI for MS or PhD thesis research only under the supervision of an IRRI scientist, with an assured financial support from any sponsoring agency other than IRRI. There is no cost to IRRI.

Interns

• These are students from developed countries and/or NARS staff with diploma academic qualifications. They should be currently enrolled as postgraduate students in a university and wish to come to IRRI for one month to 1 year to gain some knowledge and experience in their field of interest. Each one usually works under the supervision of an IRRI scientist. They are fully supported by a grant or sponsoring agency and receive no funding assistance from IRRI.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to support highly qualified scientists from developing countries. We administer scholarship funds for several donor agencies. The selection is highly competitive but institutions may endorse applicants.

Two-degree scholarships are available - full scholarships and thesis scholarships. Full scholarships or research scholars for coursework and thesis are granted to qualified students from countries with relatively less developed educational systems. It supports all coursework requirements and thesis research. Scholars receiving a full scholarship are normally enrolled at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Full MS scholars are supported for a maximum of 2 ½ years. Full PhD scholars are required to complete their program within 3 ½ years.

Thesis scholarships are available to those who have finished their formal studies and are ready to conduct thesis research. Thesis scholars or research scholars for thesis only mostly came from developing countries with advanced university systems. MS and PhD. scholars are allowed a maximum of 1½ and 2 ½ years, respectively, to complete their research and write-up. A memorandum of agreement exists between the university and IRRI.

Affiliate research scholarships are also granted, the financial support however, come from any sponsoring institution or organization. IRRI scientists only supervise the scholars. Most of the affiliate research scholars are scientists from developing countries.

IRRI Training further support student interns under the degree program whose academic requirements entail a one-month to one year work experience. These interns are granted funding assistance by another organization and are supervised by IRRI scientists

Duration and Cost

Degree training cost is approximately US$ 17,000 per annum. This amount covers board and lodging, a modest stipend, local travel, group accident/medical insurance, books, university fees, and research costs. The sponsor is expected to provide international airfare (if required), shipping allowance, and enroute expenses to participants. A sponsor may arrange with IRRI to manage the academic and thesis research phases of a beneficiary's degree training, or the thesis research phase. After completing course work, MS and PhD candidates are allowed a maximum of 1½ and 2 years, respectively, to complete their research and write-up.

Application Procedure and Requirements