How to Apply Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA AD ASTRA) Scholarship

The Philippine Space Agency offers different scholarship programs exclusive to the Filipino people, especially to those individuals who aspire to work or become members of the Philippine Space Agency.

Also Read: How to Apply PhilFrance DOST Scholarship Program

Another scholarship program that is created by PhilSA AD ASTRA is to help a promising student who graduated from a bachelor’s degree program and is now pursuing postgraduate studies. In that case, you can take advantage of the AD ASTRA Scholarships Program sponsored by the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) to receive financial assistance. Several types of scholarships will be offered under this program, which stands for Advanced Degrees for Accelerating Strategic Space R&D and Applications.

The scholarship programs are awarded on full, partial, lateral, and sandwich bases to deserving students wishing to earn postgraduate degrees within the field of science and technology related to space. This program is only the intervention made by PhilSA AD ASTRA to help students who want a doctoral degree. If you are an interested student who wishes to pursue a doctoral degree related to Space, Science, Technology, and Applications (SSTA), this may be your chance now to earn that degree through this scholarship program.

If you want to know more about this program, we have prepared a full guide about PhilSA AD ASTRA (Philippine Space Agency Advances Degrees for Accelerating Strategic Space R&D Applications) Scholarship and step-by-step instructions, and a guide on how to apply.

Philippine Space Agency AD ASTRA Scholarship

What is the PhilSA AD ASTRA or the Philippine Space Agency Advances Degrees for Accelerating Strategic Space R&D Application Scholarship?

PhilSA is a government agency that addresses all national issues and activities related to space science & technology and applications. Its functions are to ensure access to space and its environs as a sovereign right in the promotion of national security towards the attainment and protection of national interest, to ensure that the Philippines has official representation in the international space community for establishing cooperation agreements and linkages on space development, support and commit to the development, application, and utilization of science and technology (S&T) that will foster patriotism and nationalism and accelerate social progress, such as the development of space technology and applications for its security and the benefit of its citizens, and to ensure that the Philippines abides by the various international space treaties and principles promulgated by the United Nations as well as an active participant in the international space community, including international rules and procedures concerning the Outer Space Treaty and Liability Convention, among others.

PhilSA AD ASTRA is one of the programs of the Philippine Space Agency which is an educational assistance program of Philippine Space Agency for eligible students who have a Bachelor’s degree and want to pursue a doctoral degree in fields related to Space, Science, Technology, and Applications (SSTA) in a local or international higher educational institution (HEIs).

Doctoral Degrees related to Space, Science, Technology, and Applications (SSTA)

  • System Engineering
  • Electronics Engineering
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Digital and Analogue Electronics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • RF Electronics
  • Software Engineering
  • Orbit, Dynamics Mission and Synthesis
  • Data Analytics
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Hydrological Science
  • Climate Change and Variability
  • Ocean Science
  • Geological Science
  • Earth Science Applications
  • Earth System Modelling
  • Biology and Biogeochemistry of Ecosystems
  • Geospatial Science and Technologies
  • Fundamental Physics
  • Nanoscience
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space Physics
  • Planetary Science
  • Terrestrial and Planetary Environmental Science and Engineering
  • Nanotechnology
  • Space Education
  • Space Industry
  • Space Law
  • Space Policy
  • Space Diplomacy

Benefits

When you qualify for the PhilSA AD ASTRA scholarship program, you are entitled to receive the following:

  • Allowance for Tuition and other school fees
  • Stipend for accommodation, meals, incidental expenses
  • Book Allowance*
  • Technological Support that covers the provision of a laptop* and basic monthly internet connection/communication expenses**
  • Round-trip Transportation Allowance
  • Pre-departure Allowance (For grantees enrolled in universities abroad)
  • Relocation Allowance (for grantees accepted to a University in a Region/country away from his/her current place of residence)
  • Disability Support for grantees with disabilities.
  • Allowance for Extra Academic Activities which covers membership to professional societies, student clubs/ organizations, and participation to study visits, workshops, and seminars in line with the study.
  • Thesis/Dissertation Allowance** (If applicable)
  • Research Grant** (If applicable)
  • Research Dissemination Grant (If applicable)
  • Allowance for Mentor’s Fee**
  • Mentoring/Support Program
  • Membership in the PhilSA Scholars Group

Important Notes:

*This is only applicable to full scholarship holders (1-year minimum).

**This is only applicable to local scholarship holders which is a special provision under the remote learning setup.

Qualifications

Below is the list of criteria that student applicants must be able to meet to qualify for the scholarship program.

  • Applicants must not be more than 45 years old at the time of application for Masters and Doctorate Scholarships and not more than 50 years old for stand-alone sandwich programs.
  • Applicants must be Filipino citizens.
  • They must be in good physical and mental health.
  • Also, they must be of good moral character
  • Applicants must also have a relevant Bachelor’s Degree for Master’s Degree applicants or Master’s Degree for Doctorate Degree applicants.
  • They must have no pending administrative/criminal cases.
  • Aside from that, they must have no pending service obligation from any previous scholarship programs.
  • Student applicants must have a research/thesis/dissertation plan in line with the priority areas identified by the Scholarship Committee.
  • Additionally, they must have passed the admission requirements of any CHED-recognized HEI (for local studies).
  • They must also have passed the internal scholarship process of his/her Department/Agency (for government employees).
  • They must have been accepted to their host institution or University.

Requirements

Below is the list of documentary requirements that you must be able to obtain to apply for the scholarship grant.

  • A duly accomplished PhilSA Scholarship Program Application Form (Form 1)
  • An updated Curriculum Vitae
  • A photocopy of the birth certificate
  • A Certified True Copy of Grades/Transcript of Records
  • A Certified True Copy of Diploma/Certificate of Graduation
  • A Certificate of No Pending Administrative Case
  • A Certificate of No Pending Service Obligation
  • A Recommendation letter from 3 academic professors or supervisors (Form 2)
  • A Medical certificate
  • A Research and Career Plan (Form 3)
  • A duly accomplished Proposed Budget Form (Form 4)
  • A Passport size photo
  • A valid NBI Clearance
  • A proof of acceptance in the University or host institution

How to Get Philippine Space Agency AD ASTRA Scholarship

Here is the step-by-step guide to help you out with your application for the PhilSA AD ASTRA program.

Step 1: Download the form through this link here. Early submission is encouraged for immediate processing.

Step 2: Lastly, send the completed application to scholarship@philsa.gov.ph. Note applicants with complete requirements will be considered.

Take note that the Philippine Space Agency reserves the right to deny applications without prior notice. Good luck and we hope you get accepted in the PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship Program!

Philippine Space Agency Scholarship Application Form

If you want to apply for the PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship, you need to download and fill out the application form. You can see the below application form for your reference:

Alternatively, you can get the application form and print it via this link here

Important Reminders

Here are some important reminders and guidelines when you apply for the PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship Program.

  • Applicants who applied to PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship Program will receive a serial reference or tracking number via SMS or email to track the status of their application.
  • Applicants who have submitted incomplete or invalid requirements will be informed of the missing or invalidated requirements via SMS or email.
  • More importantly, always fill out the application form honestly and avoid applying with incomplete documents.

Video: Philippine Space Agency

Check out the video through the link provided above to get a better idea and understanding of the Philippine Space Agency. More and more opportunities are going to be available for this relatively new agency in the Philippines!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who qualifies for the PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship?

PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarships are open to students who have completed their Bachelor’s degree and are pursuing postgraduate studies in space science, technology, and applications (SSTA) and its allied fields in local or international higher educational institutions (HEIs).

2. Is there a maintaining grade for the PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship?

To maintain the scholarship, recipients must comply with academic and research output requirements.

3. What is PhilSA AD ASTRA?

The PhilSA Advanced Degrees for Accelerating Strategic Space R&D and Applications (PhilSA AD ASTRA) Scholarships program aims to provide financial assistance to outstanding students who have completed their Bachelor’s degree and are aiming to pursue a graduate or doctoral degree in fields related to Space Science, Technology, and Applications (SSTA) in local or international higher educational institutions (HEIs). 

4. Is the PhilSA AD ASTRA program open to any course or degree?

PhilSA AD ASTRA offers full, partial, lateral, and sandwich program scholarships to promising students pursuing advanced degrees in disciplines related to SSTA. If you wish to apply, your course or degree must be related to but not limited to the followings: System Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Digital, and Analogue Electronics, Mechanical Engineering, RF Electronics, Software Engineering, Orbit, Dynamics Mission, and Synthesis, Data Analytics, Atmospheric Science, Hydrological Science, Climate Change and Variability, Ocean Science, Geological Science, Earth Science Applications, Earth System Modelling, Biology and Biogeochemistry of Ecosystems, Geospatial Science and Technologies, Fundamental Physics, Nanoscience, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Space Physics, Planetary Science, Terrestrial and Planetary Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanotechnology, Space Education, Space Industry, Space Law, Space Policy, and Space Diplomacy.

5. Are applications for PhilSA AD ASTRA 2022-2023 still open?

Applications for PhilSA AD ASTRA refresh every year. Additionally, the applications for the academic year 2022-2023 have ended already. If you wish to apply for the next school year, stay tuned for the latest updates on their official website.

6. Where can I download the Application Forms to apply for the scholarship program?

To apply for the PhilSA AD ASTRA scholarship program, you may go to this link – https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/19Ek6rxcXIxUTEuSjKc9aXlTCA63oRmIq (you may use this as a reference) or you may stay tuned for the latest updates of the opening of scholarship applications to access the new link of the Application Forms.

7. To whom will I contact for further questions about the scholarship program?

For more information or inquiries, you may reach out to them through the following contact information provided below:

Web: https://philsa.gov.ph/
Email: scholarship@philsa.gov.ph
FB: PhilSpaceAgency
Twitter: PhilSpaceAgency
Instagram: philspaceagency
LinkedIn: philspaceagency

8. Can I still apply for the PhilSA AD ASTRA if I am a beneficiary of another scholarship program?

If you are a beneficiary of another scholarship program, make sure that you have thoroughly read the terms and conditions of that scholarship program since other scholarship programs prohibit the scholar to avail more than one scholarship program especially if it is from a government sector or agency. This same treatment is if you are a beneficiary of a private company or corporation.

9. Can anyone apply for the PhilSA AD ASTRA scholarship program?

To apply and qualify for the Philippine Space Agency – Advances Degrees for Accelerating Strategic Space R&D Applications, you have to meet the eligibility requirements mentioned above in the article. The following are only some of the criteria you must meet, such as having a relevant Bachelor’s Degree (for Master’s Degree applicants) or Master’s Degree (for Doctorate Degree applicants). Aside from that, you must have no pending service obligation from any previous scholarship programs. To see the full list of criteria for the eligibility requirements, read the qualifications section above.

10. Is there a minimum age requirement or limit to becoming eligible for the said scholarship program?

Applicants of the PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship Program must be at least 45 years old at the time of application for Masters’s and Doctorate Scholarships and not more than 50 years old for stand-alone sandwich programs.

Summary

Hence, this is a process of applying for the PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship Program which is intended for aspiring students who have a bachelor’s degree and want to pursue a doctoral degree. When applying for PhilSA AD ASTRA Scholarship, just bear in mind that you must have obtained your bachelor’s degree to become eligible for the grant.

You must also secure and attached all the documents along with your application form and ensure that you have filled out all the required fields and verify whether all the information you have provided is accurate. This is to avoid delays in the processing of your documents application.

If you have further questions about the status of your application, you can check it through this link – https://philsa.gov.ph/news/philsa-advanced-degrees-for-accelerating-strategic-space-rd-and-applications-philsa-ad-astra-scholarships/