Government Science and Technology Scholarship Program
The Government Science and Technology Scholarship (GSTS) program historically supports scholarships in the fields of metals, materials science and energy, electronics and computer technology, biotechnology and environment, basic science, science and technology management, and nanotechnology. The scholarship allocation has been continuously and increasingly adjusted to balance the scholars’ fields of study with the national demand in social and economic development. The current 13th national economic and social development plan strategizes 4 development dimensions and 13 targets to transform the country. Building from that, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MESHI) reforms its policy of 2020 to 2027 by managing 4 strategic activity platforms. Therefore, GSTS currently allocates new scholarships based on the portfolio management principle and categorizes them into 4 baskets corresponding to the MESHI’s 4 strategies plus 1 basket for miscellaneous fields (altogether 5 baskets total). The table below displays the expected allocations of scholarship types into 5 different scholarship portfolio baskets.
| Number | Portfolio Baskets | % allocation for each scholarship type | ||
| High School | University | Government | ||
| 1 | Human Capacity and Knowledge Institute Development 1.1 12 Industrial Clusters 1.2 Future Industries 1.3 Future Economies | 70% | 60% | 40% |
| 2 | Addressing Societal Challenges 2.1 Resources, Environment, and Agriculture 2.2 Aging Society 2.3 Quality Society and Security | 10% | 20% | 15% |
| 3 | Increasing Global Competitiveness 3.1 Innovation and Technology Management 3.2 Data Science and Analysis | 10% | 10% | 15% |
| 4 | Regional Development and Reducing Inequalities 4.1 Rajabhat Universities 4.2 Rajamangala Universities of Technology 4.3 Rural Scholars | 5% | 5% | 15% |
| 5 | Miscellaneous 5.1 Basic Science 5.2 Other Science and Technology Fields 5.3 Science Policy, Systems Biology, Systems Science | 5% | 5% | 15% |
Portfolio Basket (PB) 1: Human Capacity and Knowledge Institute Development (HCKID)
PB 1.1 HCKID targeting 12 industrial clusters to develop personnel with competencies and skills that match the demand of Thailand’s 12 national strategic industries with the underlying goal of making Thailand the centers of manufacturing, high quality services, and competitive in the global market.
The 12 industrial clusters are:
- Future Mobility Industry
- Smart Electronics Industry
- Affluent, Medical, and Wellness Tourism Industry
- Agriculture and Biotechnology Industry
- Food for the Future Industry
- Industrial Robotics Industry
- Aviation and Logistics Industry
- Bioenergy and Biochemicals Industry
- Digital Industry
- Medical Hub Industry
- Education and Human Resource Development Industry
- National Defense Industry
PB 1.2 HCKID targeting future industries to develop personnel with competencies and skills that corresponds to the fast-changing demand of industries by integrating all stakeholders, utilizing high quality technology and innovation, saving energy, and being environmentally friendly.
The future industries are:
- Functional Food
- Artificial Intelligence
- Circular Economy
- Clean Energy
- Space Technology
PB 1.3 HCKID targeting future economies to develop research personnel with subject-based expertise for future economies such as:
- Space Industry: construction and development of satellite system, ground-level control software, aerospace traffic management system, warning system from space, weather monitoring and forecasting system, earthquake and tsunami warning system, and spaceport for launching rockets.
- Future Mobility: development of industry for modern automobiles and zero-emission vehicles, as well as industry for autonomous driving, connected, electrified, and shared vehicles.
- Medical Devices: research and development for medical equipment and apparatus that require technology and advanced skills, and quality platform encompassing standard tests for medical devices fully integrated throughout the value chain.
- Vaccines & Biologics: research and development for productions of vaccines and biologics.
- Biosimilars: research and development for productions from natural biologics and other medicines for use within the country.
- Creative Economy: creation and promotion of knowledge institutes for creative economy for the development of creative economy database, management, analysis, and utilization of the database, improving the ability to conduct business, and support for growth and expansion in the creative economy (such as development of value-added geographical indication, business platform, and creative business model).
- Frontier Research: quantum technology, earth, and space system.
Portfolio Basket 2: Addressing Societal Challenges
Scholarships can be allocated to universities or agencies that focus on research and development in finding solutions to challenging societal problems such as allocation of scarce resources and energy, solving environmental problems, economic restructuring of the agricultural sectors, confronting the aging society, improving social quality and national security.
Portfolio Basket 3: Increasing Global Competitiveness of the Country
Scholarships can be allocated to universities or agencies that focus on production of the labor force with the expertise in data analysis, data science, technology and innovation management, and extending as well as applying the knowledge with scientific skills in order to increase the competitiveness of the country.
Portfolio Basket 4: Regional Development and Reducing Inequalities
Scholarships can be allocated to universities or agencies that focus on local-area development, community development, community data analysis to solve local-area economic and social problems, raising the quality of life of regional population, and reducing social inequalities. Scholarship fields of study are demanded by the analysis of regional governments.
Portfolio Basket 5: Miscellaneous
Scholarships can be allocated to universities or agencies to develop personnel in basic science, which is essential for future developments of scientific knowledge as a whole, or in fields in short supply such as science policy, systems science, systems biology.
4 Types of Scholarships Categorized by Applicant Types
Scholarships for High School Graduates
Scholars are given an opportunity to broadly study according to their aptitudes at the undergraduate level to build a strong foundation for their further specializations at post graduate levels. Therefore, scholarships are allocated to undergraduate majors matching competency demand of the 12 national industrial clusters. Before finishing their undergraduate studies, scholarship recipients need to consult with their affiliated agencies to determine their specializations (out of numerous fields within the 12 clusters) that are suitable for their master’s and PhD programs. In other words, scholars are not obligated to a particular specialization at the time they initially receive their scholarships.
Scholarships for University Graduates
Scholars are given an opportunity to broadly study according to their aptitudes at the undergraduate level to build a strong foundation for their further specializations at post graduate levels. Therefore, scholarships are allocated to undergraduate majors matching competency demand of the 12 national industrial clusters. Before finishing their undergraduate studies, scholarship recipients need to consult with their affiliated agencies to determine their specializations (out of numerous fields within the 12 clusters) that are suitable for their master’s and PhD programs. In other words, scholars are not obligated to a particular specialization at the time they initially receive their scholarships.
International Scholarships for Public-Sector Employees
This type of scholarship aims to develop public-sector personnel with academic knowledge and abilities that are necessary for their official duties. In addition, scholars will study in-depth and develop their specialized expertise, which could benefit their affiliated agencies, from international universities.
Domestic Scholarships for Public Employees
This type of scholarship aims to develop public-sector personnel with academic knowledge and abilities that are necessary for their official duties. In addition, scholars will study in-depth and develop their specialized expertise, which could benefit their affiliated agencies, from domestic universities.