The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) invites qualified students to apply for up to 10 Ph.D. Research Sandwich Scholarship positions to do studies related to the following research areas. 

Below are the research areas for the students.

• Characterization of rice germplasm for embryo size and understand it’s effect on germination under direct seeded conditions
• Rapid Cycle Recurrent Selection for Zn and Yield, accelerating genetic gain through 1 year breeding cycles
• A novel genomics-enabled participatory breeding approach to accelerate and streamline development of farmer-preferred varieties
• Modeling and optimization of the GrainSafe Dryer
• Impact assessment of IRRI's work on rice research and development in Bangladesh
• Marketing climate labels for rice in South-East Asia: Comparative assessment of low-carbon footprint and other ‘green’ attributes
• Supply meets demand: Analyzing premium quality rice value chain
• DNA free genome editing system for Indica rice and improvement of precise editing by homologous recombination
• Characterization of global rice array and genome wide association analysis for trait discovery

A. Types of scholarship

• 1 to 2.5 years Ph.D. sandwich research program.

B. Scholarship benefits

• Tuition Fees & Academic Expenses up to US$2,500.00 per year
• Airfare one roundtrip ticket for international students and travel expenses up to US$3000 for the entire duration of the scholarship (include airfares, travel documents, airport pick up in the Philippines)
• Stipend amounting to US$1,000 per month (to cover living expenses, accommodation, local transportation)
• Insurance
• Book Allowance amounting to US$300.00 per year
• IRRI Scholar Association Membership Fees
• Shipping Allowance
• Laptop Computer Allowance amounting to US$1,500.00 for the entire duration of the scholarship
• Research support (including travel for approved research)
• Scientific conference and professional development funds amounting to US$3,000.00 for the entire duration of the scholarship

C. Eligibility requirements

All applicants must:

• be from of any country in South and Southeast Asia
• be involved in the field of rice science and related systems research
• be willing to work on any of the identified research area for the PhD research
• be highly qualified, well-rounded rice scientists from the public or private sector in South and Southeast Asia
• have finished all PhD coursework requirements and are ready to start on their dissertation research 
• be endorsed by his/her university supervisor
• possess adequate proficiency in English
• not be more than 35 years old at the time of application

Potential applicants may seek co-funding for their research and study fees especially if duration of the program will exceed 2.5 years.