SEARCA

What SEARCA does

SEARCA (Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture) is a non-profit international organization established in 1966 under the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Charter and hosted by the Philippine government at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) campus. It operates as SEAMEO's oldest specialist center for agriculture, mandated to strengthen institutional capacities in agricultural and rural development across 11 SEAMEO member countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam) plus 9 associate member countries. The organization delivers an integrated portfolio of graduate scholarships (over 2,016 awarded since AY 1968-69), joint scholarships with 10+ international university partners (DAAD, UPM, NTU, Sejong, Tokyo NODAI, Nagoya, IPB, Kasetsart, UPLB), the Southeast Asian University Consortium, research funding instruments (Seed Fund up to USD 15,000; Travel Grants up to USD 1,200), postdoctoral fellowships, the GRAINS innovation grant program (USD 5,000–15,000), and Institutional Development Assistance to emerging agricultural universities. Knowledge dissemination assets include the AFNR Knowledge Platform, the Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD), the SOLVE webinar series, the ADSS seminar series, and the SHARING AgriMuseum & Café.

SEARCA's underlying technology stack is modest and domain-specific rather than proprietary: parametric insurance modeling using R statistical software, Excel-based payout frameworks, and GIS-based trigger design are deployed for the ADB-funded TA-10009 climate-resilient insurance workshop delivered to the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation. The AFNR Knowledge Platform functions as an open repository aggregating regional agricultural research data, while online application systems (ischo.searcaapps.org, grants.searcaapps.org) handle scholarship and grant submissions. Grant management, training delivery, and knowledge publication form the operational backbone rather than commercial software products.

The business model is grant-funded rather than revenue-generating: SEARCA operates as a non-profit international organization with privileges and immunities comparable to UN institutions. Primary funding flows through the SEAMEO Education Development Fund (SEDF) comprising contributions from SEAMEO member and associate member governments, friendly governments, organizations, and individuals. Secondary funding is secured via technical assistance contracts (notably the Asian Development Bank under TA-10009) and project-specific grants. The organization is governed by a Governing Board and led by a Center Director (Dr. Mercedita Sombilla) supported by two Deputy Directors. The 12th Five-Year Development Plan "SUSTAIN Southeast Asia" (FY 2025/26–2029/30) frames current strategic priorities around four outcomes: increased farmers' incomes, improved food and nutrition security, enhanced climate resilience, and empowered stakeholders.

Name

SEARCA

Legal name

Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture

Website

https://searca.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

SEARCA is a non-profit international organization under SEAMEO that delivers graduate scholarships, research funding, innovation grants, and institutional development programs to strengthen agricultural and rural development across 11 Southeast Asian member countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Development and Education Services

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Higher Education Capacity Building & Scholarships (BPADAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Degree-Level Scholarships (Undergrad/Masters/PhD/Postdoc) (EDAIAOAE), Research Grants, Fellowships & Stipends (International) (EDAIAOAJ), Short-Term Certificate & Micro-Credential Programs (International) (EDAIAIAI), Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools (EDAHAAAF)

Keywords

• Agricultural development
• Graduate scholarship programs
• Research funding grants
• Agricultural innovation
• Rural development

Headquarters

HQ city

Putrajaya

HQ country

Malaysia

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. SEAMEO Education Development Fund: Funding for the SEARCA Graduate Study Program comes from Special Funds through the SEAMEO Education Development Fund (SEDF) and donations generated by the SEAMEO Secretariat (SEAMES) in Bangkok, Thailand. The fund consists of contributions from SEAMEO member countries as well as associate members, friendly governments, organizations, and individuals.
2. Technical Assistance Programs: SEARCA conducts capacity-building workshops and technical assistance programs funded by development partners such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under programs like TA-10009 for climate-resilient agricultural initiatives.
3. Grant Administration: SEARCA administers various grant programs including scholarships, professorial chair grants, innovation grants (GRAINS), seed funds, and travel grants that support agricultural development across the region.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

SEARCA delivers graduate scholarships (MS/PhD), joint scholarship partnerships with leading Asian universities, research and innovation grants, institutional development assistance, postdoctoral fellowships, and capacity-building programs for agricultural and rural development. The Center operates a University Consortium, knowledge platform, peer-reviewed journal (AJAD), and innovation showcase (SHARING) to support evidence-based agricultural transformation across 11 SEAMEO member countries in Southeast Asia.

Product overview

SEARCA (Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture) operates as a multi-program organization offering education, research, and innovation services across Southeast Asia. The core product portfolio includes graduate scholarship programs (Full MS/PhD, Joint Scholarships with 10+ partner institutions, and Research Scholarships), the Southeast Asian University Consortium (UC) network, and the Regional Professorial Chair Grants for academic excellence. The Research arm provides the Seed Fund for Research and Training (SFRT) and Travel Grants for conference dissemination. The Innovation program features GRAINS ( Grants for Research towards Agricultural Innovative Solutions) for agri-tech startups and the SHARING Hub for interactive innovation showcases. Additional programs include the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Institutional Development Assistance (IDA) for universities, SOLVE and ADSS webinar/seminar series, AFNR Knowledge Platform, the Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD), OSSA Alumni Awards, and the Meet the Diplomat Series. Together these programs form an integrated ecosystem addressing agricultural transformation through capacity building, research, innovation scaling, and policy engagement across 11 SEAMEO member countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SHARING: SEARCA Hub for Agriculture and Rural Innovation for the Next Generation - an interactive platform showcasing innovations and sustainable practices
• GRAINS
• UC
• SOLVE
• ADSS
• OSSA
• MDS
• SUSTAIN Southeast Asia

Products and services

• Full Master's and PhD Scholarships Fully funded MS/PhD scholarship program for highly qualified individuals from SEAMEO member countries to pursue advanced studies in agriculture and related fields aligned with priority thrusts on farmer income, food security, and climate resilience.
• Joint Scholarship Programs Strategic co-funded scholarship partnerships with DAAD, UPM, NTU, Sejong University, Tokyo NODAI, Nagoya University, AquASEAN/CIRAD, MARDI, BulSU, and Agropolis Fondation offering specialized graduate programs in agriculture and related fields.
• Research Scholarship Program Financial support for qualified MS and PhD students conducting research and producing dissertations relevant to SEARCA's priority thrusts, open to applicants from any reputable higher education institution worldwide.
• Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC) SEARCA-managed network of leading agricultural universities in Southeast Asia, Japan, Taiwan, Canada, and Germany that supports research collaboration, faculty and student mobility, academic grants, and joint projects to strengthen higher education institutions.
• Regional Professorial Chair Grants

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,016 scholarships awarded to Southeast Asian nationals since Academic Year 1968-69
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• EcoSecuritiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2026Partnership to conduct capacity-building workshop for Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) on data-driven, climate-resilient parametric insurance products for corn farmers. Workshop held 5-6 March 2026 in Quezon City under ADB-funded Technical Assistance program TA-10009.
• University of the Philippines Los Baños Foundation Inc. (UPLBFI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2026Partnership with SEARCA and EcoSecurities to conduct capacity-building workshop for PCIC on parametric insurance modeling and climate-resilient agricultural insurance products.
• French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026CIRAD coordinates the ASEAN Partnership for Sustainable Aquaculture (AquASEAN) project with SEARCA, the ASEAN Secretariat, and a network of academic institutions across Southeast Asia to enhance sustainability and climate resilience of aquaculture systems.
• DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint scholarship program providing In-Country/In-Region scholarships for Southeast Asian nationals to pursue graduate studies in agriculture and related fields.
• Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPM-SEARCA Joint Scholarship Program and joint scholarship with Agropolis Fondation. UPM serves as a study post for SEARCA scholars and partner in the University Consortium.
• National Taiwan University (NTU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNTU-SEARCA Joint Scholarship Program for graduate studies in agriculture and related fields. NTU serves as a study post for SEARCA scholarship recipients.
• Sejong University, South KoreacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSejong University-SEARCA Joint Graduate Research Scholarship Program. Sejong University serves as a study post for SEARCA scholarship recipients.
• Tokyo University of Agriculture (Tokyo NODAI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTokyo NODAI-SEARCA Scholarship for Dissertation Doctorate. Tokyo NODAI serves as a study post for SEARCA scholarship recipients.
• Nagoya University, JapancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNagoya University-SEARCA Joint Transnational PhD Scholarship for Philippine Nationals. Filing period for October 2026 admission for Doctor of Engineering and Doctor of Agricultural Science programs.
• Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB), IndonesiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPB University serves as a study post for SEARCA scholarship recipients pursuing MS/PhD degrees in agriculture and related sciences.
• Kasetsart University, ThailandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKasetsart University serves as a study post for SEARCA scholarship recipients and partner in the Southeast Asian University Consortium.
• University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPLB serves as SEARCA's host institution and study post for scholarship recipients. SEARCA is located on the UPLB campus. Active professorial chair and scholarship partnerships.
• Savannakhet University, Lao PDRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDA program partner with engagements including in-country training, short courses on utilization of indigenous crops, English courses, and scholarship support for staff.
• Royal University of Agriculture, CambodiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDA program partner with engagements including mentoring workshop on strategic planning, in-country training, scholarship support for staff, and short courses on water resources management.
• Yezin Agricultural University, MyanmarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDA program partner including strategic planning workshop, curriculum development for Agricultural Extension specialization, short courses, and scholarship support for staff.
• Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, VietnamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDA program partner with memorandum of understanding for institutional cooperation, communication skills training, and scholarship support for staff.
• National University of Timor-LestecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDA program partner with short courses on climate-agriculture-impact modelling, in-country training, conferences, and scholarship support for staff.
• State Universities and Colleges - Association of Colleges of Agriculture in the Philippines Inc. (SUC-ACAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLevelUPHEI AFAR project funded by CHED to upgrade institutional capacities of SUC-ACAP member institutions through short-term trainings, cross-visits, and University Consortium activities.
• Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEARCA is a specialized center of SEAMEO established under its Charter. SEAMEO provides institutional framework, governance oversight through the SEAMEO Council, and coordinates the SEAMEO Education Development Fund (SEDF).
• Philippine Government (Host Country)coreOthersPhilippine government hosts SEARCA on UPLB campus. SEARCA maintains formal ties with Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Education for compliance with national protocols for international organizations. SEARCA enjoys privileges and immunities comparable to UN institutions in the 11 SEAMEO member countries.
• Department of Education (DepEd), PhilippinescoreOthersPhilippine focal agency through which SEARCA reports to the SEAMEO Council. Coordinates compliance with SEAMEO Secretariat guidelines.
• Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecipient of capacity-building workshop on data-driven, climate-resilient parametric insurance products for corn farmers under ADB-funded TA-10009.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service): Germany's national agency for international academic cooperation and scholarships, currently co-funding SEARCA's In-Country/In-Region scholarships. Peer in international scholarship administration with comparable scholarship management infrastructure.
• CIRAD (French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development): French public research organization working on international agricultural and development research with significant Southeast Asia footprint. Already a direct co-implementation partner via AquASEAN and operates in overlapping thematic areas of sustainable agriculture.
• International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT): CGIAR center delivering improved maize and wheat varieties plus agronomic research across developing countries. Comparable as a CGIAR international agricultural research center with capacity-building components and strong regional presence in Asia.
• WorldFish: CGIAR research center focused on aquatic food systems in developing countries, including Southeast Asia. Comparable as an international agricultural research and capacity-building organization with regional offices in the same geographies SEARCA serves, and overlapping aquaculture mandate via AquASEAN.
• International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI): CGIAR policy research institute working on food policy, agricultural development, and rural livelihoods globally with strong Asia presence. Comparable as an international research and policy advisory body serving developing-country governments on agricultural transformation.
• International Rice Research Institute (IRRI): Also hosted at the UPLB campus in Los Baños, Philippines, IRRI is a CGIAR research center focused on rice and rice-based agri-food systems. Direct peer operating in the same regional agricultural research and capacity-building space, sharing the same host institution and overlapping Southeast Asian mandate.
• SEAMEO RIHED (Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development): Sister SEAMEO centre focused on higher education harmonization and capacity across Southeast Asia. Comparable as a peer SEAMEO specialized centre with scholarship coordination, university networking, and institutional development assistance mandates.

Others

• Asian Development Bank (ADB): Multilateral development bank funding agricultural and rural development across Asia, including the TA-10009 program under which SEARCA executes parametric insurance work. Adjacent as a key funding and program partner rather than a competitor.
• SEAMEO SEARCA (University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources member institutions): Consortium of agricultural universities including UPLB, Kasetsart, IPB, UPM, NTU, Tokyo NODAI, and Nagoya that SEARCA coordinates. Adjacent ecosystem participants rather than competitors, but materially shape SEARCA's delivery model and reach.

Broad incumbents

• Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN - Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific: UN agency with regional mandate covering Asia-Pacific agricultural development, food security, and rural livelihoods. Broader incumbent with overlapping agenda but global rather than Southeast Asia-specific scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SEARCA
• Facebookfacebook.com/seameo.searca

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SEARCA