Government of Thailand - One District One Scholarship (ODOS)

Benefit: what you get

ODOS (One District One Scholarship) is a scholarship programme run by the Thai government that covers upper secondary education, vocational training and undergraduate studies – a total of seven to eight consecutive years. The programme runs from 2025 to 2033 and provides for the award of 7,200 scholarships. A specific monthly amount is not published; the scholarship is intended to cover the costs of study, although the exact components have not been officially confirmed. Most places (7,000 out of 7,200) are earmarked for study in Thailand. A small number – 200 places – are for a bachelor’s degree programme abroad in the USA, the UK or Australia. Language courses and psychological support are also included. Upon graduation, scholarship recipients are expected to engage in development work, particularly in underserved regions of Thailand.

Eligibility

• Nationality: Thai nationals only.
• School year: You are in class 9, 10, 11 or 12, or in the corresponding year group of a vocational training programme. The various application rounds are aimed at different year groups.
• Grades: Your average mark is at least 3.00.
• Family income: Your household income is no more than 12,000 Thai baht per person per month (approximately 320 euros). Priority is given to pupils who are classified as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ according to the criteria of Thailand’s ‘Equitable Education Fund’ (EEF).
• Field of study: MINT subjects (Mathematics, Computer Science, Natural Sciences, Technology) are given priority, particularly when allocating places to international students.
• Health and conduct: You are in good health and have a clean criminal record.
• Parental consent: Your parents or legal guardians must give their consent for you to take part.

How to apply

You do not apply directly – your school nominates you. A representative from the school registers on the EEF scholarship portal (scholarshipreg.eef.or.th), selects up to five candidates and submits the documents online. For the summer preparatory camp abroad (open to pupils in Year 10 from all 928 eligible districts), pupils can apply directly via the Thai government’s ‘Tang Rat’ app. Deadlines vary depending on the round; please check the EEF portal for details of the current open round.

How realistic are your chances?

The selection criteria are strict: Thai nationality, a specific income ceiling, a minimum GPA of 3.00, and nomination by the school rather than a direct application. Competition within this group is fierce – this is a high-calibre national programme, and the 200 places abroad are highly sought-after. If you clearly meet the income and academic criteria and are studying at one of the 602 designated STEM-capable schools, it mainly depends on whether your school actively puts forward candidates and how many pupils there fit the profile.