Government Finalizes 2026 LPDP Scholarship Quotas

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the quality of human resources by expanding access to national higher education. A key strategic move in this effort is the development of scholarship programs designed to empower younger generation to compete on a global scale.

Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, announced the plan during a dialog between President Prabowo Subianto and leading academics at the State Palace. He emphasized that state financial support is vital for cultivating top-tier talent across various strategic sectors.

Minister Brian noted that Indonesia sees approximately 1.7 million graduates annually across diverse fields, ranging from science and technology to social sciences. He argued that this immense potential must be managed rigorously to serve as the primary driver of national competitiveness internationally.

"We want to ensure that the state is present in every step taken by our citizens who strive for progress. The LPDP (Endowment Fund for Education Program) consistently produces exceptional talent. For this year, we are targeting 5,750 new scholarship recipients," said the Minister in Jakarta on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

The quota breakdown includes 1,000 slots for the Garuda Scholarship (Undergraduate/S1), 4,000 slots for Master’s (S2) and Doctoral (S3) programs, and 750 specialized slots for medical specialists. Minister Brian emphasized that the focus for postgraduate scholarships this year will be more targeted.

"The Master’s and Doctoral programs will be aligned with the industrial growth targets outlined by the President in the Asta Cita (Eight Priorities). We require experts who fit the direction of national development," he explained.

This specific focus aims to synchronize academic output with industrial needs and the government's developmental roadmap. The governmenet expressed hope that the program will yield experts capable of accelerating economic growth and technological innovation.

In addition to LPDP, the government is strengthening the Kartu Indonesia Pintar Kuliah (KIP-K) program to ensure high-achieving students can still access higher education. This program is specifically designed to support students facing financial constraints, allowing them to remain focused on their studies.

Currently, over 1.1 million active students receive living allowances and full tuition coverage from the state annually. The total budget for the KIP-K program reaches IDR 16 trillion (USD 946.24 million) per year, underscoring the government's commitment to educational equity in higher education. (Annaila Azzahra/Bambang MBKA)