Full tuition scholarship with living allowances for Malaysians
The Yang di‑Pertuan Agong Scholarship (BYDPA) is a prestigious postgraduate scholarship offered by the Public Service Department (JPA) to qualified Malaysian citizens. It supports full-time research Master’s and PhD studies at recognised local and international universities in fields that are considered strategic and beneficial to national development. The scholarship aims to nurture academic excellence and develop future leaders who can contribute to Malaysia’s growth and prosperity.
Priority study fields include:
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
- Economics
- Law
- Islamic Finance
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Scholarship Requirements
- Must be a Malaysian citizen.
- Must not be older than 35 years of age on 1 January 2026.
- Officers or students with chronic, infectious, or conditions requiring ongoing treatment are allowed to apply if the study is within Malaysia.
- Applicants intending to study abroad must be free from chronic or infectious diseases and any conditions requiring ongoing treatment. They must be certified fit and capable of completing their studies by a qualified medical officer. Family members accompanying the applicant (for public officers only) must also meet the same health requirements. If any medical report confirms that the applicant or accompanying family members have a chronic, infectious, or condition requiring ongoing treatment, the scholarship offer will be withdrawn.
- Public officers applying for BYDPA are subject to the prevailing general terms and conditions for the Study Leave scheme.
- Master’s applicants: Must hold a government-recognised Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.75, first-class honours, or equivalent.
- PhD applicants: Must hold a government-recognised Bachelor’s and Master’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.75, first-class honours, or equivalent.
- Must have received an unconditional offer for full-time study in 2026 at a recognised local or international university listed by JPA according to the approved fields of study Or;
- Must have already commenced full-time study in 2026 at a local or international university listed by JPA.
- PhD or Master’s programs in research-based, requiring the preparation of a research paper, dissertation, or thesis.
- Involvement in Creative and Innovative Work:
- Master’s applicants: Active involvement in creative or innovative work (e.g., scholarly writing such as journals, books, articles; inventions; artistic or technological creations) is considered an advantage.
- PhD applicants: Active involvement is mandatory. Applicants with no participation will be considered ineligible and will not be shortlisted for interviews.
- Preference will be given to applicants who are active in co-curricular or community engagement activities.
- Applicants must complete their studies within the stipulated timeframe. Extensions of sponsorship will not be considered except for valid and approved reasons.
Award Details
Full sponsorship of tuition fees and living expenses during entire duration of studies.
Application Process
- For more information, please visit the following link: https://penajaan.jpa.gov.my/index.php/pengumuman-tawaran-terkini/orang-awam/pelawaan-permohonan-biasiswa-yang-di-pertuan-agong-bydpa-tahun-2026
- The application period is from 9 February to 9 March 2026.
- Only applications that satisfy the eligibility criteria and successfully pass the screening by JPA will be shortlisted for an interview.
About Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA)
The Public Service Department (JPA) is a government body dedicated to strengthening Malaysia's civil service by providing scholarships and financial aid to talented citizens. These programs are designed to assist Malaysians in attaining higher education and professional skills necessary for career advancement.
Through these initiatives, JPA demonstrates its commitment to nurturing human capital, empowering individuals to reach their full potential while contributing positively to the nation.
