Applicants are encouraged to apply at the Merdeka Award - Grant Application site, as the Grant opens from 1 January 2025 to 1 May 2025. They are expected to propose a research project or study plan that aligns with the mission of the Merdeka Award of fostering a culture of excellence in fields that contribute to Malaysia’s growth and development.

“The selection process is rigorous with several stages of assessment including an interview with the appointed committee members and the video submission for the Board of Trustees. We encourage applicants to invest time and effort into preparing their essays and submissions as it may take a month to finalise. This time is also needed for applicants to clearly define the purpose and outcome of the attachment in their given areas of interest,” said Kerina.
The Grant is not a financial award. It covers accommodation and travel during the three month attachment period, upon acceptance at the recipient’s institution of choice.

These international attachments allow individuals to immerse themselves in deeper research and expose them to new approaches which they can apply upon their return, towards fostering Malaysia’s progress. Grantees will collaborate with top-tier academics, researchers and industry practitioners to build on their body of work and achievements, while gleaning from the international exposure to apply transformative knowledge to shape Malaysia’s future.

For more details on eligibility, application guidelines and previous grantee experiences, please visit the Merdeka Award website: http://www.merdekaaward.my