Seven Filipino scholars are set to begin their studies and research in the United States after they were officially awarded grants under the Fulbright-PhilSA Program Award in Space Science, Technology, and Applications (SSTA), Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) said Tuesday.
The program is a flagship collaboration between PhilSA and the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF), also known as the Fulbright Commission in the Philippines.
A ceremonial signing was held in June at the PhilSA headquarters in Quezon City marked the formal send-off of the program’s inaugural cohort.
The initiative supports Filipino professionals in pursuing graduate degrees and advanced research in space-related fields at top U.S. institutions, with the broader goal of advancing the country’s space capabilities.
Launched in 2024, the Fulbright-PhilSA Program offers two tracks: the Foreign Student Program for graduate and doctoral studies, and the Visiting Scholar Award for advanced research.
The initiative is part of PhilSA’s effort to build a sustainable pool of Filipino experts in space science and engineering and to strengthen national innovation and competitiveness in the global space sector.
The 2025 cohort includes four graduate students and three visiting researchers who will pursue specializations ranging from spacecraft systems and robotics to energy systems, airport infrastructure, and geospatial analysis.
“The Fulbright-PhilSA Program is not merely an academic opportunity—it is a national investment, and you as our pioneering scholars are its first stewards. Your journey represents the long-term vision of this partnership: to build a critical mass of highly skilled, globally engaged Filipino professionals who will shape the future of our space sector. We are confident that you will represent the Philippines with excellence, integrity, and humility,” said PhilSA Deputy Director General Gay Jane Perez.
PAEF Executive Director Julio Amador III highlighted the strategic nature of the partnership, calling it a collaboration with one of the country’s most dynamic and forward-looking government agencies. He also reaffirmed Fulbright’s commitment to sustaining and expanding the program in future years.
The Fulbright-PhilSA Program Award in SSTA is part of PhilSA’s broader Education and Scholarships Program, which aims to nurture a new generation of Filipino space professionals and promote greater public appreciation of space science as a driver of national development.
