News & Activities

COSTI-90 The Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is pleased to host the 90th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI-90) and Related Meetings from 13 to 15 October 2026 at the Furama Resort Danang, Da Nang, Viet Nam. MEETING VENUEFurama Resort Danang 105 Vo Nguyen Giap, Ngu Hanh Son, Da Nang, Viet Nam Tel.: +84-236-3847 333 / +84-236-3847 888 | Fax: +84-236-3847 666 Website: www.furamavietnam.comENTRY AND 7 VISA REQUIREMENTSDelegates are advised to verify the entry requirements applicable to their nationality before travelling. Nationals of a number of countries, including most ASEAN Member States, are exempt from visa requirements for short stays in Viet Nam. Visa exemption: please refer to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam at lanhsuvietnam.gov.vn. Electronic visa: applications may be submitted through the National Portal on Immigration at evisa.gov.vn. The e-visa process is available to citizens of eligible countries; payment and issuance are completed entirely online and normally take three working days. Delegates requiring a visa support letter from the Ministry of Science and Technology are requested to indicate this in the registration form and to provide their passport details by 20 September 2026. Requests received after that date may not allow sufficient processing time. Passports should be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the date of entry into Viet Nam.

Four Funding Opportunities in Japan for ASEAN Students and Researchers – 2026 Deadlines Four funding opportunities in Japan are currently available to eligible students, postdoctoral researchers, university faculty members and researchers from ASEAN countries. The programmes cover doctoral study, research internships, postdoctoral research and academic visits to Japanese institutions.1. JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research in Japan – Standard ProgrammeThe Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) offers the FY2027 Standard Postdoctoral Fellowship for researchers from countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Japan, including ASEAN Member States.The fellowship supports postdoctoral researchers conducting collaborative research at eligible universities and research institutions in Japan.EligibilityApplicants must:Hold citizenship of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan.Have received a doctoral degree on or after 2 April 2021; orBe scheduled to receive a doctoral degree before the fellowship begins.Secure an eligible host researcher and host institution in Japan.Applicants holding Japanese citizenship or permanent residence status in Japan are not eligible under the standard overseas-candidate conditions.Fellowship duration12–24 months.Financial supportMonthly maintenance allowance: JPY 362,000.Round-trip economy-class airfare.Settling-in allowance: JPY 200,000.Overseas travel insurance.Research expenses may be available through a separate Grant-in-Aid application submitted by the host institution.Application deadline28 August 2026, 5:00 p.m. Japan Standard TimeThis is the deadline for the Japanese host institution to submit the application to JSPS. Host institutions may impose earlier internal deadlines. Individual candidates cannot submit applications directly to JSPS.Official informationJSPS FY2027 application scheduleFY2027 JSPS International Fellowships Application Guidelines2. JSPS Invitational Fellowships for Research in JapanThe JSPS Invitational Fellowships enable established researchers from overseas universities and research institutions to conduct collaborative research, deliver lectures and exchange academic knowledge with researchers in Japan.Applicants from ASEAN countries may participate through eligible Japanese host researchers and institutions.Two fellowship categories are available.Long-term FellowshipDuration: 2–10 months.Monthly maintenance allowance: JPY 387,600.Round-trip economy-class airfare.Overseas travel insurance.Research support allowance of up to JPY 150,000.Short-term FellowshipDuration: 14–60 days.Maintenance allowance: JPY 18,000 per day.Round-trip economy-class airfare.Overseas travel insurance.Research support allowance of up to JPY 150,000.EligibilityCandidates must normally be full-time researchers at overseas universities or research institutions and hold a position equivalent to an assistant professor, associate professor or professor in Japan.Researchers holding other positions may apply if they received their doctoral degree at least six years previously and have continuously conducted research at an overseas university or research institution.Application deadline28 August 2026, 5:00 p.m. Japan Standard TimeApplications must be submitted by a host researcher in Japan through the host institution. Candidates cannot apply directly to JSPS.Official informationJSPS Invitational Fellowships for Research in JapanFY2027 JSPS International Fellowships Application Guidelines3. OIST Research Internship Programme – Spring 2027The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University offers a funded research internship for students seeking practical research experience under the supervision of OIST faculty members.Research areas include physics, chemistry, mathematics, computational science, neuroscience, biological sciences, environmental science, marine science and quantum science.EligibilityApplications are open to:Students in the final two years of a bachelor’s degree.Students enrolled in any year of a master’s degree.Applicants who have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree.Students at universities and eligible educational institutions in Japan or overseas.Current doctoral students and applicants who have already completed a PhD are not eligible. Students who are currently enrolled must obtain approval from their home institution.Internship periodThe internship must last between four and six months and take place between 1 April and 30 September 2027.Financial supportOne direct round-trip air ticket.Furnished accommodation funded by OIST or the host research unit.Internship allowance of JPY 2,400 per working day.OIST shuttle bus pass.Administrative support for visa and registration procedures.Application deadline15 October 2026, 11:59 p.m. Japan Standard TimeApplications and supporting documents must be submitted online in English.Official informationOIST Research Internship application and eligibilityOIST Research Internship programme and financial support4. OIST Fully Funded PhD ProgrammeOIST offers a fully funded five-year PhD programme taught in English. The programme begins with laboratory rotations before students select their thesis research area and supervisor.The programme covers a broad range of interdisciplinary research fields in science and technology.EligibilityApplicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or equivalent qualification before the enrolment date. Applicants from ASEAN countries and other international applicants are eligible.OIST does not require applicants to secure approval from a faculty supervisor before submitting the application.Financial supportFinancial support starting at approximately JPY 2.6 million in the first year.Support increasing with academic progress to approximately JPY 3.6 million.Tuition support as part of the fully funded programme.Separate funding for approved domestic and international conference travel.Subsidised on-campus accommodation.Student accident and liability insurance.Visa-document assistance for international students.Financial support is taxable under Japanese regulations.Application deadline15 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. Japan Standard TimeSuccessful applicants may enrol on 1 May 2027, 1 September 2027 or 1 January 2028, according to the admission arrangements.Official informationOIST PhD application, eligibility and scheduleOIST student and financial supportImportant Application InformationThe two JSPS programmes require applications to be submitted through host researchers and host institutions in Japan. Institutional deadlines may be earlier than the official JSPS deadlines.The OIST Research Internship and PhD Programme accept direct online applications from eligible international candidates. Applicants should prepare academic transcripts, degree or enrolment certificates, statements of purpose, curricula vitae and academic recommendation letters before the respective deadlines.

ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Fund (ASTIF)https://astnet.asean.org/astif/The ASEAN Science, Technology, and Innovation Fund (also known as ASEAN Science Fund, or ASTIF) was established for the purpose of providing seed financing for the various programmes, projects and activities under ASEAN science and technology cooperation, as identified and approved by the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation.The ASTIF is mainly built up from contributions by the member countries of ASEAN. However, contributions from third parties are welcome. For example, New Zealand, a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN, has made a contribution to the ASTIF.Management and utilization of the ASTIF is the responsibility of COSTI. An Advisory Body on the ASEAN Science Fund (ABASF) assists COSTI in establishing the guidelines and procedures for utilization of the Fund, and reviewing project proposals requesting support from the Fund.ASTIF Call 2026 Now Open“ASEAN Grand Challenge: AI-Enabled Competitive and Resilient Region”The ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI) invites the STI research community across ASEAN Member States to submit project proposals for funding under the ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Fund (ASTIF) Call 2026. Proposals must address one of four priority categories:(1) AI for Health, Bioeconomy and Food Security(2) AI for Space, Earth, Ocean and Climate Intelligence(3) AI for Advanced Materials and Energy Transition(4) AI for MSME Productivity and Workforce Development.Key Dates:Proposal submission window: 1 August – 16 October 2026Announcement of selected projects: 15 February 2027 (via astnet.asean.org/astif/)How to apply:Proposals must be prepared using the Standard ASTIF Call 2026 Proposal Template and submitted through the National COSTI Focal Point of the ASEAN Member State serving as the project lead. Full eligibility criteria, funding tracks, eligible expenditures, and evaluation criteria are set out in the Call Guideline.Download the Call documents:📄 ASTIF Call 2026 — Call Announcement (link to PDF)📄 ASTIF Call 2026 — Project Proposal Template (link to DOCX)📄 ASTIF Call 2026 — Flyer (link to PDF)For enquiries, please contact the National COSTI Focal Point of your country, using the email subject line “[ASTIF Call 2026]”.

THE 88th MEETING OF THE ASEAN COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION (COSTI-88) Between 19–24 October 2025 at Jubilee Prestige Hotel Ratchadapisek, Bangkok, the meeting aims to serve as a platform for discussion and exchange of cooperation policies under the framework of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (ASEAN COSTI).The objectives include reporting on the progress and status of projects/activities of each ASEAN Member State and exchanging policies and best practices in science, technology, and innovation among senior officials from ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat, Timor-Leste, and dialogue partner countries.

External events, opportunities, and trade missions UK Government UK-ASEAN AI Innovation Summit; 6-8 October (KL, Malaysia) The UK-ASEAN AI Innovation Summit is a strategic platform for advancing shared priorities between the UK and ASEAN Member States. It builds upon previous engagements such as the UK-MY AI Conference 2023, UK AI Week in Thailand, and the AI for Sustainable Development in ASEAN (AISDA). The Summit is also aligned with the forthcoming ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) and the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan (2024). There will be keynote presentations, panel discussions, workshops for the Summit covering the following themes: Sustainable and secure AI infrastructure and cross-border compute access, Trusted data-sharing partnerships to support inclusive innovation, AI talent development and skills exchange, including pathways for women and non-traditional learners, Pro-innovation regulation and responsible AI governance, Public sector adoption and business innovation partnerships. If you would like to attend, please email Poorani.Krishnan@fcdo.gov.uk

Talent mobility, or the free movement of skilled labour across national borders, is a central tenet of ASEAN’s drive toward regional economic integration. The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Vision 2025 includes facilitating the movement of investments, skilled labour, business professionals, and capital. To this end, the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025 outlines initiatives such as implementing mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) for skilled professionals, strengthening commitments under the ASEAN Agreement on the Movement of Natural Persons, and reducing regulatory barriers by standardising hiring requirements and documentation.Furthermore, the ongoing negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) include digital talent mobility as one of its nine key pillars.These commitments recognise the importance of developing, attracting, and retaining talent in accelerating ASEAN’s economic growth. As technology-driven digital transformation is reshaping the region, human expertise is more essential than ever. Skill gaps will limit the region’s ability to maximise digital opportunities. For instance, a shortage of skilled ICT professionals, including cybersecurity experts, hampers our ability to address increasingly complex cybersecurity threats.ASEAN Member States have negotiated past agreements to facilitate cross-border professional practice. Mutual recognition agreements were signed between 2005 and 2012 for sectors including engineering, nursing, architecture, medicine, dentistry, and tourism. In 2012, the Member States signed an agreement on the movement of natural persons, establishing a framework for the temporary cross-border movement of workers. ASEAN Member States also signed the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA), which includes provisions to streamline business visa procedures for citizens within the ASEAN. These are important first steps to foster talent mobility.Read more at https://theaseanmagazine.asean.org/article/opportunities-for-talent-collaboration-in-asean-in-the-digital-ageThe ASEAN Secretariat70A Jalan Sisingamangaraja Jakarta 12110P: (+6221)7262991, 7243372F: (+6221)7398234, 7243504M: ASEAN-magazine@asean.org