News Details

Mindanao to Benefit from New Energy and Agriculture Fulbright Scholarships

NPO

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November 22, 2025

MANILA — A new set of Fulbright scholarships focused on energy and agriculture is being developed specifically for individuals from conflict-affected communities in Mindanao, the US Embassy in Manila announced Friday.

The initiative will be implemented by the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF) — the Fulbright Commission in the Philippines — under a newly signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

The agreement opens doors for eligible scholars from Mindanao to pursue advanced studies in the United States, with programs tailored to strengthen peacebuilding, sustainable development, and technical expertise in the region.

MinDA Secretary Leo Tereso Magno hailed the partnership, emphasizing that “education is the most powerful engine of peace, progress, and prosperity.”
He said the customized scholarships reflect a shared commitment to uplift Mindanao communities by equipping future leaders with world-class knowledge and skills.

In addition, PAEF signed another partnership with Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), naming it the host institution for a new exchange initiative called the Consortium for Study Abroad in the Philippines (CSAP).

Through CSAP, American students and faculty will visit the Philippines for cultural immersion and six-week academic courses in:
• Agriculture
• Rural development
• Engineering
• Business

PAEF Chairperson and US Embassy Counselor for Public Affairs Jessica Simon highlighted the long-standing impact of the Fulbright Program in the country.

“The Fulbright Program is not just a scholarship program in the Philippines – it is a cornerstone of post-war Philippine intellectual and leadership development, a symbol of the enduring US-Philippine partnership, and still the single most important academic exchange mechanism between the two countries after more than 75 years,” she said.

“This signing is more than a ceremonial act – it is a bold step toward empowering the people of Mindanao.”

Founded in 1948, PAEF is the oldest continuously active Fulbright commission in the world. It has supported more than 3,000 Filipino scholars and nearly 1,000 American grantees pursuing graduate studies, teaching, and research in both nations.

The new Mindanao-focused scholarships are expected to strengthen local capacity in key sectors like sustainable energy and agriculture — essential pillars for long-term peace and development in the region.

NPO News Team | PNA–PR