The Southeast Asia Coalition for Academic Freedom (SEACAF) has officially opened applications for its 2026 Research Fellowships on Empowering Academic Freedom in Southeast Asia, offering funding of up to USD 15,000 for research projects that address some of the most pressing challenges facing higher education and academic freedom across the region.

This prestigious fellowship is designed to support early-career researchers, academics, and research advocates committed to producing evidence-based research that strengthens academic freedom, promotes democratic values, and informs policy reforms throughout Southeast Asia.

Each year, the programme selects six fellows who will participate in a structured fellowship lasting between 10 and 12 months, combining financial support, expert mentorship, peer learning, and opportunities to contribute meaningful policy recommendations that can influence higher education systems across the region.

About the SEACAF Research Fellowship

Academic freedom remains one of the foundations of quality higher education. It enables scholars, educators, and students to freely teach, research, publish, and engage in critical inquiry without fear of censorship or retaliation.

Across Southeast Asia, however, academic freedom faces increasing pressure from democratic backsliding, government restrictions, institutional control, and broader political challenges.

Academics and students who engage in research or public discussions on social justice, governance, human rights, and public policy increasingly encounter obstacles such as:

• State surveillance
• Administrative sanctions
• Restrictions on teaching and research
• Criminalization of dissent
• Limitations on publishing academic work
• Political interference in universities
• Constraints arising from national security policies
• Increased risks in conflict-affected areas

The SEACAF Research Fellowship seeks to generate high-quality research that helps governments, universities, civil society organizations, and policymakers better understand these challenges while developing practical solutions that strengthen academic freedom across Southeast Asia.

Fellowship Themes

Applicants are invited to submit research proposals under one of three priority themes.

Theme 1: Neoliberal Higher Education and Its Impacts on Academic Freedom

Across Southeast Asia, universities increasingly operate under market-driven models that emphasize:

• Revenue generation
• Competition
• Commercialization
• International rankings
• Performance indicators

While these reforms aim to improve institutional competitiveness, they may also weaken:

• Academic independence
• Institutional autonomy
• Research integrity
• Public service missions of universities
• Freedom of teaching and inquiry

Research under this theme should use practical case studies to examine how neoliberal higher education policies affect academic freedom in real-world settings.

The findings are expected to contribute to policy recommendations that promote universities as spaces for independent thinking, critical knowledge production, and public engagement.

Funding: Up to USD 12,000

Duration: 10 months

Application Type: Individual or team

Theme 2: Developing Regional Indicators for Academic Freedom

Measuring academic freedom requires reliable and context-specific indicators.

This fellowship theme supports research that works closely with stakeholders across Southeast Asia to develop:

• Regional academic freedom indicators
• Monitoring frameworks
• Documentation systems
• Context-sensitive assessment tools
• Regional policy recommendations

The long-term objective is to establish a comprehensive academic freedom monitoring system throughout Southeast Asia.

Funding: Up to USD 12,000

Duration: 10 months

Application Type: Individual or team

Theme 3: Participatory Action Research for Training Modules on Academic Freedom

This theme focuses on developing practical educational resources that strengthen understanding of academic freedom among universities and student communities.

Research teams will collaborate directly with academic institutions, educators, and students to:

• Develop training modules
• Produce educational materials
• Test learning resources through participatory workshops
• Improve awareness of academic freedom

Unlike the other themes, this fellowship requires collaborative research.

Funding: Up to USD 15,000

Duration: 12 months

Application Type: Team application only (minimum of three members)

Fellowship Benefits

Successful fellows will receive much more than financial support.

Benefits include:

• Funding of up to USD 15,000 depending on the fellowship theme.
• Participation in a 10–12 month structured fellowship.
• Expert mentorship from experienced researchers and practitioners.
• Peer learning with researchers from across Southeast Asia.
• Opportunities to produce impactful research.
• Development of policy recommendations for governments and higher education institutions.
• Contribution to strengthening academic freedom across the region.
• Increased professional visibility and networking opportunities.

What Can the Fellowship Funding Cover?

The fellowship provides flexible funding to support research activities.

Eligible expenses include:

Researcher’s Allowance

• Monthly stipend or compensation for researchers throughout the fellowship period.

Research Expenses

Funding may be used for costs directly associated with conducting research.

Fieldwork and Travel

Support includes:

• Transportation
• Accommodation
• Field visits
• Other fieldwork-related costs

Research Assistants

Funding may cover payments for research assistants supporting project implementation.

Data Collection

Eligible costs include:

• Surveys
• Interviews
• Transcription services
• Data acquisition
• Other research-related data collection activities

Why Academic Freedom Matters

Academic freedom allows universities to fulfill their public mission by encouraging independent thinking, innovation, and evidence-based research.

Without academic freedom:

• Research quality declines.
• Public debate becomes limited.
• Universities lose institutional independence.
• Innovation and creativity suffer.
• Democratic participation weakens.

The SEACAF fellowship seeks to strengthen higher education systems where scholars can freely pursue knowledge while contributing to more democratic and inclusive societies.

Selection Information

For the 2026 fellowship cohort:

• Only six fellows will be selected.
• Proposals aligned with the three priority themes will receive the highest consideration.
• Proposals outside these themes may still be submitted but will receive lower priority during the review process.

Research Duration

Depending on the selected theme, fellows will conduct research over:

• 10 months (Themes 1 and 2)
• 12 months (Theme 3)

Throughout the fellowship, participants will receive structured support while conducting original research and producing policy-oriented outputs.

Important Deadline

Application Deadline: 20 July 2026

Applicants are encouraged to prepare their proposals early and submit all required documents before the deadline.

Click here for more and to apply

Why You Should Apply

If you are passionate about higher education, human rights, democratic governance, or public policy in Southeast Asia, the SEACAF Research Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to conduct meaningful research while influencing regional policy discussions.

Beyond funding, fellows become part of a growing regional network committed to protecting academic freedom, strengthening higher education institutions, and ensuring that universities remain places where knowledge, critical inquiry, and truth can flourish.

Click here for more global fellowship opportunities