The Government of Malaysia is officially inviting applications for the Malaysian International Scholarship (MIS) 2026. This prestigious, fully funded initiative by the Ministry of Higher Education aims to attract, motivate, and retain talented human capital from around the globe, positioning Malaysia as a leading international center of academic excellence.
- Malaysian International Scholarship (MIS) 2026: The Government of Malaysia has opened applications for the fully funded MIS 2026 scholarship for international students to pursue Master’s and PhD degrees in Malaysian universities.
- 🎓 Scholarship Purpose: MIS aims to attract, motivate, and retain talented international students while strengthening Malaysia as a global center for academic excellence.
- 🏛️ Offered By: Ministry of Education, Malaysia.
- 📚 Degree Levels: Available for postgraduate studies, including Master’s and PhD programs.
- 💰 Scholarship Benefits: The scholarship covers tuition fees and provides a monthly living allowance of RM 1,500 per month. Travel expenses to Malaysia must be arranged by applicants themselves.
- 🌍 Eligibility: Open to students from all nationalities, including applicants from ASEAN, Commonwealth, Middle Eastern, Asian, and other selected countries.
- 🔬 Available Study Fields: Includes Science & Engineering, Agriculture & Fisheries, Economics & Islamic Finance, ICT, Biotechnology, Biosecurity & Food Safety, Infrastructure & Utility, Environmental Studies, and Health-related fields (excluding nursing, medicine, and clinical pharmacy).
- 🏫 Participating Universities: Applicants can study at leading Malaysian institutions such as Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and many others.
- 📑 Required Documents: Applicants must submit an application form, passport copy, academic transcripts, English proficiency certificate, recommendation letters, endorsement form, CV, research proposal, and university admission letter (if available).
- ✅ Eligibility Criteria:
- Master’s applicants must be under 40 years of age with a minimum CGPA of 3.5 or equivalent Bachelor’s degree results.
- PhD applicants must be under 45 years of age with a minimum CGPA of 3.5 at Master’s level in a related field.
- A research proposal of at least 1,000 words and English language proficiency proof (IELTS/TOEFL) are required.
Scholarship Overview
| Detail | Specifications |
| Offered By | Ministry of Education, Malaysia |
| Degree Level | Master’s Degree & PhD Degree |
| Funding Status | Fully Funded (Tuition & Stipend) |
| Eligible Nationalities | Selected ASEAN, Commonwealth, and international countries (e.g., China, South Korea, Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Morocco, etc.) |
| Location | Malaysia (At participating leading public and private universities) |
| Application Deadline | 22nd July 2026 |
Research & Study Areas
Applicants can choose any related postgraduate course within the following broad academic fields:
- Science and Engineering
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- Economics and Islamic Finance
- Biotechnology, Biosecurity, and Food Safety
- Infrastructure and Utility
- Agriculture and Fisheries
- Environmental Studies
- Health Sciences (excluding nursing, medicine, and clinical pharmacy)
Benefits & Financial Coverage (Job Description/Provisions)
The MIS is a highly competitive, fully funded award designed to sustain postgraduate researchers during their tenure in Malaysia. It includes:
- Full Tuition Fees: Covered directly for the duration of the program.
- Monthly Living Allowance: A regular stipend of RM 1,500.00 per month.
- Note: Successful applicants are expected to independently arrange and finance their travel/airfare to Malaysia, as travel expenses are non-financial provisions.
Eligibility & Qualifications
To be considered for the MIS 2026 cycle, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Age Limit: Not more than 40 years old for Master’s applicants and 45 years old for PhD applicants.
- Academic Standing (Master’s): Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of Second Class Upper (Honours) or a CGPA of 3.5 out of 4.0 (or equivalent).
- Academic Standing (PhD): Applicants must hold a Master’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.5 or exceptional results in a similar field of study.
- Research Intent: A written research proposal with a minimum of 1,000 words relevant to the intended field of study.
- Language Proficiency: Official proof of English Language Proficiency (such as IELTS or TOEFL scores).
Required Documents
All scanned documents must be certified and uploaded in PDF format:
- Completed Online Application Form.
- Certified copy of Passport (with a minimum of 6 months validity).
- Certified copies of Academic Transcripts (including undergraduate/postgraduate coursework and an official university grading system document if CGPA isn’t explicitly clear).
- Proof of English Language Proficiency.
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation from academic or professional referees.
- Signed Endorsement Form.
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- A comprehensive Research Proposal.
- Admission letter from a participating Malaysian University (if already obtained).
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted electronically through the government’s portal.
- Review the full criteria on the MIS Official Link.
- Prepare all compulsory certified documents listed above.
- Access the online application platform via the MIS Apply Link, fill out the profiles, upload your PDF documents, and submit before the closing date.
Application Deadline: 22 July 2026
