Alternatives to MIS: Malaysia’s Other Awards and Nearby Options
The MIS window is short and closed for now. Malaysia runs two other government postgraduate awards, CSFP and MTCP, and there are fully funded options in Indonesia, Brunei and Türkiye. Here is how they compare.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
3 min read
Updated Oct 6, 2026
MIS, MTCP and CSFP side by side
| MIS | MTCP | CSFP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Run by | Ministry of Higher Education | Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Malaysian Government (listed on the MOHE portal) |
| Levels | Master’s and PhD | Master’s only | Master’s and PhD |
| Who applies | Citizens of ASEAN, Commonwealth and 39 named countries | Citizens of the MTCP list of developing countries | Commonwealth students nominated by their government |
| Age limit | 40 (Master’s) / 45 (PhD) | 45 | Not stated on the portal |
| Offer letter | Upload if you have one | Valid full offer letter required (conditional offer accepted at submission) | Not stated on the portal |
| Pays | Tuition + RM 1,500 a month | Tuition, a monthly allowance and one return economy flight | Not stated on the portal |
| Length | Not stated | 24 months (coursework) or 36 months (mixed-mode/research) | Master’s 12–24 months; PhD 3 years |
| Last window | 4 Mar – 3 Apr 2026 | 4 May – 12 Jun 2026 | Through government nomination |
MTCP Scholarship (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
The MTCP Scholarship is Malaysia’s South-South cooperation award for graduates from developing countries. The portal says it moved from the MOHE system to mtcp.kln.gov.my. From the 2026 guidelines and FAQ:
- Window 2026: 4 May – 12 June 2026, for the September/October 2026 intake. Closed.
- Master’s only, full-time and in person in Malaysia, at universities on the MTCP list.
- Rules: age 45 or under; Second Class Upper or a CGPA of 3.0; IELTS 6 or TOEFL iBT 60, or an English-medium degree; a medical report.
- A university offer is required. You need a valid full offer letter, though a conditional offer or proof of application can be uploaded at submission.
- Benefits: tuition paid to the university, a monthly allowance and a one-time return economy flight.
- Applying for both: the FAQ says you may apply for both MTCP and MIS. MTCP scholars may not have more than one sponsor.
MTCP is the obvious backup if your country is not on the MIS list. Ethiopia, Nepal, Mongolia, Somalia, Lebanon and Oman are all on the MTCP country list.
Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP), Malaysia
The MOHE portal describes CSFP as an award from the Malaysian Government to nominated students from Commonwealth countries, for postgraduate study at any public or selected private university in Malaysia. It is government-to-government, with no bond imposed by Malaysia. Master’s awards last 12–24 months depending on the course, and PhD awards last 3 years, for full-time study only. You do not apply to MOHE directly. Ask the ministry or scholarship agency in your own country whether it nominates candidates for Malaysian CSFP awards.
Malaysia-IsDB joint programme
MOHE’s scholarships page also lists the Malaysia–Islamic Development Bank Joint Scholarship Programme (M-IsDB) for students from IsDB member countries. For how IsDB awards work in general, see our IsDB Scholarships guide.
Fully funded options nearby
Indonesia’s degree scholarship for developing-country citizens. The 2026 window was 2 February – 31 March 2026, and you need an embassy letter first.
Fully funded study at Brunei institutions through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal. The 2027/28 call is expected around mid-December 2026.
Tuition, a monthly stipend, housing and a Turkish language year. Our guide lists the 2027 application window as 10 January – 20 February 2027.
A*STAR’s PhD award for international graduates at A*STAR, NUS, NTU and partners.
The KNB, BDGS and Türkiye Burslari windows all fall before the expected 2027 MIS window. If you prepare the MIS documents now, most of them (certified transcripts, an English score, referees, a proposal) can be reused for these applications. Each guide links to the official sources for its own dates.
How to choose
- Your country is on the MIS list and you want a PhD: MIS is the main Malaysian option. If you are in a Commonwealth country, also ask your government about CSFP.
- Your country is on the MTCP list but not the MIS list: apply for MTCP, which is for Master’s study.
- You are over 40 and want a Master’s: MIS rules you out. MTCP allows applicants up to 45.
- You want a guaranteed flight home: MTCP lists one. MIS does not.
Sources: MOHE MIS portal; MTCP 2026 guidelines; MTCP FAQ 2026/2027; MOHE scholarships.