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European Funding Opportunities for ASEAN Students and Researchers – October 2026 ERC Starting Grant 2027https://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/starting-grantThe European Research Council Starting Grant supports researchers of any nationality who are establishing an independent research team.Applicants must:Have completed their PhD within the previous 0–10 yearsPresent an independent and competitive research proposalConduct the project at a host institution in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated CountryThe grant provides up to €1.5 million for five years. Additional funding is available for eligible project costs. Researchers relocating from a non-associated country may request up to €2 million in additional funding.Application deadline: 14 October 2026View the ERC Starting Grant 2027 callnEXt-RNA Doctoral Networkhttps://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/worldwide/india/news/europe-11-phd-positions-available-next-rna-doctoral-networkThe nEXt-RNA MSCA Doctoral Network offers 11 fully funded PhD positions at institutions in Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and France.Research areas include:RNA biologyHost–pathogen interactionsMicrobiology and immunologyCell biology and biochemistryPlant biologyBioinformatics and scientific programmingApplicants of any nationality must hold a master’s degree or equivalent, must not already hold a PhD and must comply with the MSCA mobility rule. The positions are funded for 36 months and are expected to start between May and September 2027.Application deadline: 15 October 2026 at 23:59 Europe/BerlinView the nEXt-RNA doctoral positionsMobility Scholarships in Slovakiahttps://www.scholarships.skThe National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic supports international students, PhD students, university teachers and researchers undertaking study, teaching or research stays in Slovakia.University students may receive:€620 per month for one or two semestersA travel allowance based on distanceUniversity teachers and researchers may receive:€1,025.50 per month without a PhD and with fewer than four years of experience€1,370 per month with a PhD and fewer than ten years of experience€1,470 per month with a PhD and more than ten years of experienceApplicants must obtain an admission or invitation letter from a Slovak university or research organisation.Application deadline: 31 October at 16:00 CETView the National Scholarship ProgrammeErasmus Mundus Joint Mastershttps://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/opportunities/individuals/students/erasmus-mundus-joint-mastersErasmus Mundus Joint Masters are open to students from all countries. Students study at multiple universities in Europe and partner countries.Full scholarships may cover:Participation and tuition costsTravel expensesVisa costsLiving allowanceApplications are submitted directly to each participating master’s programme. Deadlines for the 2027 intake vary by programme, with many calls opening between October 2026 and January 2027.Search Erasmus Mundus Joint Master programmesMSCA Doctoral Networks 2026https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networksThe MSCA Doctoral Networks call supports international partnerships that develop doctoral training programmes. Consortia must include at least three organisations from three different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Universities and research organisations from ASEAN may join as additional partners.Individual students do not apply to this funding call. Once projects are funded, doctoral vacancies are published on EURAXESS and are open to candidates of any nationality.Institutional proposal deadline: 24 November 2026 at 17:00 CETView the MSCA Doctoral Networks call

What is Horizon Europe?Horizon Europe is not a funding agency, but rather a funding framework established by the European Union (EU) to support research and innovation across various fields.Read more at https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_enWhat is Horizon Europe?Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation. Following the Multiannual Financial Framework Midterm Review (MTR) decision, the indicative funding amount for Horizon Europe for the period 2021-2027 is EUR 93.5 billion.It tackles climate change, helps to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth.The programme facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing EU policies while tackling global challenges. It supports creating and better dispersing of excellent knowledge and technologies.It creates jobs, fully engages the EU’s talent pool, boosts economic growth, promotes industrial competitiveness and optimises investment impact within a strengthened European Research Area.Legal entities from the EU and associated countries can participate.Key details about Horizon Europe:Nature of Horizon Europe:It is a 7-year research and innovation program (2021-2027).It has a total budget of €95.5 billion.It focuses on addressing global challenges, such as climate change, health, digital technologies, and more.Role:It serves as a funding framework for researchers, universities, industries, SMEs, and organizations within the EU and associated countries.It does not distribute funds directly but is managed by the European Commission and its agencies, such as the European Research Executive Agency (REA).Related Funding Agencies: Horizon Europe collaborates with funding agencies or entities responsible for allocating funds for specific projects, including:European Research Council (ERC): Supports frontier research.Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA): Focuses on researcher development and international collaboration.Innovation Fund: Provides funding for innovative projects.Conclusion:Horizon Europe is not a funding agency but a funding framework managed by the European Commission to promote research and innovation in Europe and internationally.Countries in ASEAN can apply for funding from Horizon Europe in certain cases, depending on the type of project and the country’s status within the Horizon Europe framework. Here’s a detailed explanation:1. ASEAN Countries and EligibilityASEAN countries are not EU Member States or Associated Countries:Countries in ASEAN such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam are categorized as Third Countries (non-EU and non-Associated Countries).Third Countries Status:Researchers or organizations from these countries can still participate as partners with teams from EU Member States or Associated Countries.2. Conditions for Third CountriesMost ASEAN countries are not eligible for direct funding from Horizon Europe (non-eligible for funding). However, they can collaborate with European teams in specific projects.Example:A research team in Thailand can join as a partner in a project with a European team.Collaborations are typically focused on global challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity, or health.Some ASEAN countries may be supported in certain cases, such as Low- and Middle-Income Countries, as defined by Horizon Europe.3. Examples of ASEAN ParticipationVietnam: Often supported under topics related to sustainable development.Singapore: Can participate as a Third Country, though not eligible for direct funding, it can still contribute as a partner in significant research projects.Thailand: Research teams from Thailand often join through International Cooperation in areas related to regional issues, such as renewable energy or environmental conservation. 4. Recommendations for ASEAN Countries Applying for Horizon Europe FundingBuild collaborations with teams from EU or Associated Countries:This increases the chances of participation and funding opportunities.Focus on projects addressing global challenges:For example, climate change, health innovation, or food security.Review specific project requirements:Some projects may allow ASEAN countries to participate and receive funding.

EU and Thailand signs partnership for collaboration in frontier researchSigned in September 2022 with the Programme Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B)Read more: agreement, press highlightThe initiative between the European Union and Thailand was launched today to encourage collaboration between leading Thai researchers and European Research Council (ERC) grantees and their teams. This joint scheme is the first of its kind targeting researchers in Thailand. It will promote cooperation between the Thai Programme Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B) of the National Higher Education, Science, Research & Innovation Policy Council and the ERC.source: https://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/additional-opportunities#International%20Arrangement%20funding