Royal Thai Government Scholarships 2026 in Thailand

The Royal Thai Government (RTG) Scholarships represent Thailand’s flagship international postgraduate award scheme, administered directly by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)—a premier, highly ranked regional postgraduate institution based in Pathum Thani, Thailand. Established to foster scientific capability, technical leadership, and sustainable infrastructure across Asia, the program targets high-achieving scholars dedicated to addressing pressing global and regional challenges.

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Through fully funded Master’s and Doctoral degree tracks, the Royal Thai Government brings together outstanding students from across Thailand, ASEAN, the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), BIMSTEC, Bhutan, Timor-Leste, and broader Asian nations. Immersed in AIT’s multicultural, English-medium research environment, scholars collaborate with international faculty across state-of-the-art laboratories in engineering, environmental technology, management, and resource sustainability.

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Royal Thai Government Scholarships Summary

About the Scholarship & Academic Categories

The RTG Scholarship framework at AIT is divided into distinct degree levels and thematic tracks:

1. Doctoral Track: His Majesty the King’s Scholarships for PhD Programs

PhD scholars are funded across any of AIT’s academic disciplines.

• Target Level: 41-Month Doctoral Degree (7 Semesters).
• Scope: Open to outstanding candidates from Thailand and other Asian nations across all academic programs offered across AIT’s specialized schools (School of Engineering and Technology, School of Environment, Resources and Development, and School of Management).

2. Master’s Track (22 Months)

• His Majesty the King’s Scholarships: Available for students pursuing their first Master’s degree in programs under the School of Engineering and Technology (SET) and the School of Management (SOM).
• Her Majesty the Queen’s Scholarships: Granted to candidates enrolling in environmental, climate, and resource-related programs under the School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD).
• Loom Nam Khong Pijai (GMS Scholarships): Founded in honor of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for students from Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) nations (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Yunnan/Guangxi provinces of China). Focuses on four priority areas:
  1. Infrastructure Development
  2. Energy Technology
  3. Oil, Gas, and Natural Resources Development
  4. Environmental Engineering and Management

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What the Royal Thai Government Scholarships Cover

The Royal Thai Government Scholarships are fully funded and cover the full cost of studying and living at AIT’s international residential campus for the entire official duration of the programme.

• 100% Full Tuition Fee Coverage: Complete exemption from all academic tuition fees charged by AIT for either 22 months (4 semesters) for Master’s programs or 41 months (7 semesters) for PhD programs.
• Full Mandatory Registration Fees (PhD): Direct coverage/exemption of institutional registration and administrative charges across all 7 semesters for doctoral candidates.
• Subsidized On-Campus Housing: Fully sponsored, single or shared residential accommodation provided directly on AIT’s main campus in Thailand throughout the study duration.
• Monthly Living Allowance (Bursary): A regular, tax-free cash stipend disbursed to scholars to comfortably cover daily meals, personal expenses, local travel, and basic academic supplies.
• Monetary Value Metrics: The non-binding total funding allocation equals approximately 1.10 Million Thai Baht (~32,000 USD) per Master’s scholar and 1.96 Million Thai Baht (~57,000 USD) per Doctoral candidate.

Financial Note: The core RTG grant does not typically cover round-trip international airfare, visa issuance fees, or mandatory international student health insurance. You must therefore budget for these expenses independently or secure supplementary funding to cover them.

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Eligibility Requirements

To be shortlisted for an RTG Scholarship award during AIT departmental review, candidates must satisfy strict academic, regional, and technical benchmarks:

1. Academic Qualification & GPA Benchmarks

• For Master’s Level Applicants:
  • Must hold a completed 4-year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from an accredited, recognized university in a field directly relevant to the target AIT Master’s program.
  • Strict Cumulative GPA Cutoff: Must possess an outstanding undergraduate academic record with a cumulative GPA of ≥ 3.50 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent 85%+ / First Class Honors).
• For Doctoral (PhD) Level Applicants:
  • Must hold both a completed 4-year Bachelor’s degree AND a 2-year Master’s degree from recognized academic institutions in relevant engineering, scientific, or managerial disciplines.
  • Strict Cumulative GPA Cutoff: Must maintain a cumulative GPA of ≥ 3.50 on a 4.0 scale across BOTH the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree studies.

2. English Language Proficiency Thresholds

Because all coursework, research labs, and thesis defenses at AIT are conducted exclusively in English, candidates must provide official proof of language proficiency meeting AIT Language Center standards:

• IELTS Academic: Minimum overall band score of 6.0, with a mandatory minimum of 6.0 in the Writing band.
• AIT English Entrance Test (AIT EET): Minimum score of 6.0 or higher.
• (Note: Applicants with an official English Medium of Instruction certificate from an institution in a native English-speaking country may request verification during admission).

3. Eligible Nationalities & Regional Status

• Must be a citizen of Thailand or an eligible Asian nation.
• Specific Sub-Tracks:
  • His Majesty the King’s PhD & Master’s: Citizens of Thailand, ASEAN member nations, BIMSTEC countries, Bhutan, Timor-Leste, and broader Asian countries.
  • Loom Nam Khong Pijai (GMS): Restricted strictly to nationals of the 6 Greater Mekong Subregion countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and China – Yunnan/Guangxi).

4. Specialized PhD Application Requirements

• Research Proposal: Doctoral candidates must submit a structured, detailed research outline demonstrating clear alignment with AIT faculty expertise and ongoing departmental research projects.
• Recommendation Letters: Provision of two formal academic recommendation letters evaluating the candidate’s research aptitude and analytical capabilities.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must compile and upload digital copies of the following official documents:

1. Official Academic Transcripts & Certificates: High-resolution scans of official Bachelor’s (and Master’s for PhD) degree certificates and complete transcript records.
2. English Proficiency Certificate: Official score report for IELTS (minimum 6.0 overall and writing) or proof of taking the AIT EET.
3. Letters of Recommendation (2): Required for PhD applicants from academic professors or research supervisors evaluating scholarly competence.
4. Research Proposal: Mandatory for PhD applicants, outlining the proposed research topic, methodology, objectives, and alignment with AIT research focus areas.
5. Curriculum Vitae (CV) & Passport Copy: Clean, reverse-chronological résumé along with a clear copy of the biographical passport page.

How to Apply and Prepare for the Application Cycle

Applicants are considered for RTG scholarships automatically upon applying to AIT. Follow this protocol to complete your submission:

1. Select Your Academic Track: Visit the official AIT academic directory and identify an eligible Master’s or PhD program matching your field.
2. Complete the AIT Online Application: Create an account on the AIT Online Admissions Portal and complete the webform.
3. Indicate Scholarship Interest: Mark your interest in the Royal Thai Government (RTG) Scholarship on the application form.
4. Upload Formatted Dossier: Submit your academic transcripts, English scores, CV, research proposal (PhD), and recommendation letters.
5. Submit Before Deadline: Complete and pay any applicable application fee prior to the March 31, 2026 cutoff date.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is a separate scholarship application required for the Royal Thai Government Scholarships?

No. AIT automatically considers eligible postgraduate applicants for the Royal Thai Government Scholarships during the departmental admissions review process based on their academic merit and nationality.

2. Can I apply if my Bachelor’s GPA is slightly below 3.50?

No. The RTG Scholarship criteria strictly require a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50 (or equivalent 85%+) for both Master’s and Ph.D. level consideration.

3. What is the Loom Nam Khong Pijai Scholarship, and who is eligible?

The Loom Nam Khong Pijai (GMS) Scholarship specifically targets candidates from the Greater Mekong Subregion Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Yunnan/Guangxi provinces in China enrolling in thematic areas like Infrastructure, Energy, Natural Resources, and Environmental Engineering.

4. Is international airfare covered under this scholarship?

While the award covers full tuition fees, campus accommodation, and a monthly living bursary, round-trip international airfare is generally not included and must be arranged independently or via supplementary regional travel grants.

5. How long are the Master’s and PhD programs funded under RTG?

The scholarship covers the full standard duration of the degree: 22 months for Master’s degree programs and 41 months (7 semesters) for Doctoral (PhD) programs.

Disclaimer: All program details, financial award estimates, duration metrics, and eligibility requirements for the Royal Thai Government (RTG) Scholarships at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) are compiled from official institutional releases and are subject to change in accordance with annual administrative policies. Candidates must verify current admission guidelines and submit official dossiers directly through the official AIT Admissions Portal.

Official Application Portal