10 January 2025, Kuala Lumpur – The Merdeka Award Trust invites Malaysian change-makers aged 22 to 35 to apply for the Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment is now open. The Grant offers exciting opportunities for recipients to engage with leading experts and institutions worldwide through a fully-paid three-month attachment programme.
Open only once every two years, the Grant has supported nearly 30 individuals to enhance their knowledge and skills at internationally renowned universities, industry practice centres and research institutes. These recipients from private and public universities as well as various organisations have had the opportunity to work with the world’s prominent figures and foremost minds in prestigious universities and premier institutions.
“Aspiring Malaysians looking to gain exposure, experience and guidance from global scientific, humanities and academic leaders in their fields of interest are highly encouraged to apply,” said Kerina Fauzi, Secretary of the Merdeka Award Trust.
“The Merdeka Award Grant for international attachment is significant for Malaysians, given the unique opportunity it provides to recipients to closely network with mentors in numerous prestigious institutions. We have supported the ambitions for those from diverse fields of study, research and professional practice, with grantees extending their experiences to immerse themselves in the world’s top laboratories, or with leading figures in a bid to create greater impact,” Kerina continued.
Over the years, grantees have been placed in more than 40 international institutions of repute, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California Berkeley, Harvard Business School, University of Cambridge, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich and Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa as well as Kyoto University and more.
Past grantees include a geneticist, contemporary Malaysian Indigenous artist and activist, wildlife biologist, astrophysicist, and more. The Trust welcomes applicants from various disciplines, including in the areas of education, science and technology, engineering, environment, medical and health sciences to social sciences, community work and humanities as well as cultural, heritage and sports studies.
“Anyone in the field of sciences and non-sciences can apply. In 2023, we received almost 200 applications – in areas such as sports, financial sustainability, bioelectronics, stem cell research and more. In marking the tenth cycle of the grant, we will be embarking on roadshows to promote the programme in various locations across the country,” said Kerina.
Merdeka Award Grant: Apply Now
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
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