Before you start: choose your institution carefully
The programme and institution you select at the application stage cannot be changed after selection. Read each institution's brochure (downloadable from the MFA scholarship page) before completing the form. If you apply to UBD or UTB, you must also complete a separate application directly to those universities — the MFA portal alone is insufficient.
The application timeline
2027/2028 cycle — dates not yet announced
The MFA has not yet published the exact dates for the upcoming 2027/2028 intake. The timeline below reflects the program's established recurring annual pattern. Based on that pattern, applications are expected to open around mid-December 2026 and close on or around 15 February 2027 (to be confirmed). Always verify the exact dates against the official MFA announcement before relying on them.
| Period | What happens |
|---|---|
| Mid-December | Applications open and official announcement published on the MFA website |
| December–February | Application window. Gather documents, get endorsement, complete all portals |
| February 15 (2027 date to be confirmed) | Hard deadline — portal closes. No extensions under any circumstances |
| March–May | Shortlisting and interviews conducted by the institutions |
| May–June | Results notified. Successful applicants contacted for further steps; unsuccessful applicants notified by email |
| July–August | Academic year commences. Scholars arrive in Brunei |
Step-by-step application process
Check the official announcement and download institution brochures
Visit mfa.gov.bn/pages/scholarship.aspx for the current year's announcement. Download each institution's brochure — especially if applying to UNISSA, which requires programme codes in the application form. For UBD, UTB, and Politeknik Brunei, review the brochures to identify programme names and confirm they match your qualifications.
Complete the MFA online application form
Access the BDGS application portal at mfa.gov.bn/pages/online-bdgs.aspx. Enter your email address to receive a one-time password (OTP), then complete the form. The form must be typed — handwritten submissions are rejected. Upload all required documents (the total file size limit is 10 MB per upload).
Submit a separate university application (UBD and UTB applicants only)
If you are applying to UBD, you must also complete the academic application at apply.ubd.edu.bn. If applying to UTB, complete the separate portal at apply.utb.edu.bn. These are parallel applications — the MFA form handles the scholarship; the university portal handles academic admission. Both must be submitted. UNISSA, KUPU SB, and Politeknik Brunei do not currently require a separate portal.
Get government endorsement
Your application must be endorsed by your country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Education. If you are applying from outside your home country, your country's Embassy or Consulate/High Commission in that country can provide the endorsement. The endorsement is separate from the security clearance document — do not confuse the two. Allow sufficient time for this step, especially if your government's endorsement process is bureaucratic or slow.
Prepare and attach all required documents
See the full document checklist on the Required Documents page. Key items include certified copies of academic certificates, a security clearance/police certificate, two referee forms (C1 and C2), an English proficiency certificate, and your Statement of Purpose. All documents not in English must have certified English translations.
Submit before February 15
The portal closes on February 15 each cycle (the 2027 closing date is expected to follow this pattern but is to be confirmed against the official announcement). In previous cycles, the hard close was at 16:00 Brunei time (+8 GMT); in more recent cycles, it has been 23:59. Check the current year's announcement for the exact cut-off. No extension has ever been granted. Late applications are not accepted regardless of reason.
After you submit
Shortlisted applicants are contacted by the institution — not the MFA. The interview may be conducted by video call (Skype or equivalent) if you are outside Brunei. An interview invitation is not a scholarship offer. Only successful applicants receive a formal scholarship offer; unsuccessful applicants are notified by email in recent cycles. Results historically arrive in the first or second week of June.
The endorsement vs. security clearance distinction
These two documents sound similar but serve completely different purposes — and both are required:
Government Endorsement
Your country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Education signs off on your application, formally endorsing you as a candidate from your country. This is a nomination/support document — it confirms your government supports your application.
Security Clearance / Police Certificate
A certificate from your national security agency or local police station confirming you have no civil or criminal charges. This is a background check document — it verifies you have a clean record, separate from the endorsement process.
What cannot be changed after submission
Once you are selected, the following are fixed for the entire scholarship period:
- The programme you applied for
- The institution you applied to
This means the choice you make in the application form is binding. Choose your institution and programme carefully. If you are uncertain between UBD and UTB, read both institutions' brochures thoroughly before committing, as applying to the wrong institution cannot be corrected after selection.
Concurrent scholarships are not allowed
The BDGS conditions explicitly prohibit holding any other scholarship, fellowship, grant, or loan concurrently without prior written approval from the Ministry. This is not a soft guideline — violation results in immediate termination of the scholarship. If you are applying to multiple scholarship programmes in parallel (which is common and expected), you must decline any other award if you accept the BDGS.