Scholarship in Malaysia 2026 | Fully Funded

According to the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) of Malaysia, international students seeking world-class education can benefit from prestigious government-funded initiatives. For the academic year 2026, the Malaysian government offers two major scholarship programs: the Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) and the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP). These fully funded and partially funded scholarships aim to attract top-tier global minds, foster diplomatic ties, and promote South-South cooperation.

Malaysia Government Scholarships 2026: An Overview

The Malaysian government scholarship landscape for 2026 includes two primary avenues for international postgraduate students:

1. Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) – Designed to attract the best and brightest international students to pursue Master’s and PhD degrees in Malaysia.
2. Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP) – Focused on sharing Malaysia’s development experience with other developing countries through postgraduate education.

Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) 2026

The Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) is a prestigious initiative by the Malaysian Government to entice great minds from all over the world to pursue postgraduate courses in Malaysia. By luring, inspiring, and keeping exceptional human capital from abroad, Malaysia hopes to establish itself as one of the world’s centers of intellectual achievement.

Talented international graduates who are interested in furthering their education in renowned universities and higher education institutions and to study in Malaysia with the chance to experience Malaysian hospitality and a top-notch higher education experience are encouraged to apply for this scholarship.

For the academic year 2026/2027, the call for applications is typically announced between April and May 2026. Prospective applicants should regularly check the official MOHE portal for exact dates.

Benefits of MIS

The MIS scholarship provides substantial financial support to ease the burden of international education:

Notes:
Successful applicants are asked to arrange their own travel to Malaysia (non-financial provisions). The Malaysian government will not cover travel expenditures. All applicants are strongly recommended to research the estimated living costs in Malaysia.

Who can Apply for MIS?

Graduates from MIS receiving nations who:

1. Want to pursue full-time postgraduate studies (Masters/PhD) in Malaysia; or
2. Are already pursuing full-time postgraduate studies in Malaysian public universities and selected private higher educational institutions (for no more than one semester).

What do you need to Apply?

Applicants must supply all required information and have the mandatory documents indicated below scanned and saved in PDF format:

1. Application Form (filled via the online system);
2. A certified copy of Passport as evidence of nationality (with a minimum validity of 6 months);
3. A certified copy of Academic Transcript(s);
4. A certified copy of English Proficiency test result (IELTS / TOEFL);
5. Letter of Recommendation from two (2) referees;
6. Endorsement Form;
7. Admission letter from Malaysian university/higher education institute (if applicable);
8. Curriculum Vitae; and
9. Research Proposal.

Eligibility Criteria for MIS 2026

Level of Study

1. Master’s Degree
2. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree

Note: Only full-time study programs are eligible to use the scholarship.

Selection Criteria

The following criteria will be used to evaluate applications:

1. Outstanding academic performance.
2. The study proposal quality and potential contribution to technological advancement and human happiness.
3. Outstanding communication, writing, and reading abilities in the English language.

List of MIS Participating Universities (2026)

List of Eligible Countries for MIS

MIS welcomes applications from high-potential and exceptional graduates from the following countries:

• ASEAN countries
• Commonwealth countries
• Afghanistan
• Algeria
• Azerbaijan
• China
• Egypt
• Georgia
• Hong Kong
• Iran
• Iraq
• Jordan
• Kazakhstan
• Libya
• Morocco
• Palestine
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Senegal
• South Korea
• Syria
• Tajikistan
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• United Arab Emirates
• Uzbekistan
• Yemen

Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP) 2026

Another flagship program, the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP), was established in 1980 as Malaysia’s commitment to South-South Cooperation. It involves sharing Malaysia’s development experiences and expertise with other developing countries. MTCP aims to:

• Share development experience with other developing countries;
• Strengthen bilateral ties with developing countries;
• Encourage and promote South-South Cooperation;
• Encourage and promote technical cooperation within developing countries.

For the academic year 2026/2027, the MTCP scholarship application typically opens in June/July 2026.

Benefits of MTCP

The MTCP scholarship offers a highly comprehensive funding package to ensure international students can focus entirely on their studies:

The RM 3,500 monthly allowance is broken down to cover:

Level of Study

1. Master’s Degree (Full-time postgraduate program for the Academic Year 2026/2027)

Eligibility Criteria for MTCP 2026

What You Need to Apply for MTCP

All of the documents listed below are REQUIRED and must be UPLOADED via the online application (scanned and saved in PDF format):

• Application form (to be filled in the online system);
• Latest Admission Offer Letter from Malaysian Universities for academic intake 2026/2027;
• Letter of Recommendation from two (2) referees;
• Statement of Intent;
• A certified copy of Academic Transcript (must reflect all courses taken, and include grading system documentation if CGPA is not stated);
• Curriculum Vitae;
• A certified copy of English Language Proficiency tests (TOEFL/ IELTS/ PTE/ CAE/ CPE/ MUET/ equivalent);
• A certified copy of Passport as evidence of nationality (minimum of 18 months’ validity);
• Medical examination report; and
• COVID-19 proof of vaccination (if applicable per current health guidelines).

Who can Apply?

MTCP cordially invites graduates (full-time Masters) from MTCP recipient countries for the Academic Year of 2026/2027.

How to Apply?

In case you are eligible to receive this scholarship, you can call us and talk to our mentors. We at SharifStudy are highly appreciative to provide you with guidelines and procedures to secure your Malaysian government scholarship. Alternatively, applications are submitted directly through the official MTCP online portal once the application window opens.

List of MTCP Participating Universities (2026)

Related University Scholarships in Malaysia

You may also be interested in Malaysia scholarships based on specific universities:

• Sunway University Scholarships
• Taylor’s University Scholarships
• UCSI University Scholarships
• APU University Scholarships
• University of Malaya Scholarships
• UPM University Scholarships
• USM University Scholarships
• UTM University Scholarships
• UKM University Scholarships

FAQs: Malaysian Government Scholarships 2026