Taiwan ICDF Scholarship Eligibility for ASEAN Students

What TaiwanICDF scholarships are

The Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) runs Taiwan's main foreign aid and development cooperation agency, and its International Higher Education Scholarship Program is one of the ways Taiwan supports students from partner countries. The program funds bachelor's, master's and doctoral study at Taiwanese universities, with many programs taught fully in English so you do not need Chinese proficiency to start.

Two routes to eligibility

TaiwanICDF scholarships work differently from ordinary study-abroad scholarships because eligibility ties to Taiwan's foreign relations, not simply to your nationality.

Diplomatic ally route

Nationals of countries that hold formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan get priority access to ICDF scholarships. None of the 11 ASEAN member states currently hold diplomatic relations with Taiwan, since each recognizes the People's Republic of China under the one China policy most of the region follows.

Partner country and project route

TaiwanICDF also scholarships students from non-ally partner countries where it runs technical cooperation projects, often in agriculture, public health, information technology or environmental management. Some ASEAN countries have appeared on ICDF's partner or project country lists in past years tied to specific cooperation programs. Because this list changes, check the current eligible-country list published on icdf.org.tw before you invest time preparing an application.

Degree programs on offer

TaiwanICDF partners with a set group of Taiwanese universities that host its scholarship students, rather than opening the scholarship to any university in Taiwan. Program areas cluster around international development themes: agricultural science, engineering, business administration, public health, and international development or diplomacy studies. Undergraduate programs run around four years, master's programs around two years, and doctoral programs around three to four years, matching the normal length of each degree in Taiwan.

What the scholarship includes

Award packages commonly bundle tuition, a monthly living stipend, on-campus or ICDF-arranged housing, and travel support to and from Taiwan, though the exact package depends on your degree level and the specific program. Confirm the full benefits list in your award letter, since components differ between cohorts.

How to apply

• Check the current eligible-country and program list on icdf.org.tw for the intake you are targeting.

• Choose a program from the approved university list and confirm you meet its academic and language requirements.

• Prepare your application directly through TaiwanICDF's application system, since this scholarship does not route through a Taiwanese overseas mission the way the Ministry of Education scholarship does.

• Submit transcripts, recommendation letters, a statement of purpose, and any language test scores your chosen program asks for.

Why the list matters more than for other scholarships

Because ICDF ties its scholarships to Taiwan's diplomatic and development relationships, the list of eligible ASEAN applicants shifts when cooperation agreements start, end, or get renewed. Before you commit time to an application, confirm directly with TaiwanICDF or your target university's international office that your nationality and program combination is open for the intake you want, rather than relying on a general assumption about ASEAN eligibility.

Language and academic requirements

Most ICDF-affiliated degree programs run in English, so you generally do not need a Chinese proficiency score to apply, though some universities add a basic Chinese course alongside your main coursework once you arrive. Academic requirements follow standard Taiwanese university admission rules for your degree level: a relevant bachelor's degree and strong transcripts for master's applicants, and a relevant master's degree with a clear research proposal for doctoral applicants. Some programs also set a minimum grade point average or class ranking from your previous degree, so check the specific program page for its cutoff before you apply.

Cost of living in Taiwan

Taiwan's cost of living sits below many other developed study destinations, and ICDF's housing and stipend components aim to cover your basic living costs during the program. Taipei runs higher than other Taiwanese cities for rent and daily expenses, so a scholarship budget that covers costs comfortably in a smaller city such as Tainan or Chiayi feels tighter in the capital. Factor in your flight to Taiwan, your student visa fee, and setup costs such as a phone plan and bedding, since these typically fall outside the core scholarship package.

How ICDF differs from Taiwan's other scholarships

Taiwan also runs a separate Ministry of Education Taiwan Scholarship open to a wider range of countries, including all ASEAN nations, through Taiwan's representative offices abroad. That scholarship does not tie eligibility to diplomatic relations the way ICDF does, and it works with a broader range of universities and fields. If your country does not sit on ICDF's eligible list for your intake, check the Ministry of Education scholarship as an alternative route into Taiwanese universities.

Timeline and what happens after you submit

ICDF reviews applications, interviews shortlisted candidates in person or online, and confirms results before the academic year that follows. Processing takes several months from the application deadline to a final decision, so apply as early as the published timeline allows and prepare backup options in case you do not receive an offer. Once selected, ICDF and your host university send an admission and scholarship confirmation letter that you use to apply for your student visa.