PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – The registration period for Indonesia’s 2026 Palm Oil Human Resources Development Scholarship Program (SDMP Palm Oil) is entering its final week, with applications set to close on June 20, 2026. The nationwide program offers fully funded educational opportunities for up to 5,000 participants and is expected to reach capacity soon.
The scholarship initiative, jointly organized by the Directorate General of Plantations under the Ministry of Agriculture and the Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP), is part of the government’s long-term strategy to develop a skilled workforce capable of supporting the sustainable growth of Indonesia’s palm oil industry.
According to Announcement Letter No. 718/SM.220/E.4/05/2026 regarding the 2026 SDMP Palm Oil Scholarship Selection, registration opened on June 3 and will remain available until June 20, 2026.
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Prospective applicants can submit their applications online through the official scholarship portal at sdmperkebunan.bpdp.or.id and must comply with all eligibility requirements. Additional information is also available through the Directorate General of Plantations website.
The announcement was issued in Jakarta on May 29, 2026, and signed by Iim Mucharam, Director of Palm Oil and Various Palm Crops at the Directorate General of Plantations.
Eligibility for the scholarship extends beyond the children of independent smallholders and plantation workers. According to information released by the Bangka Belitung Provincial Government, the program is also open to children of palm oil mill employees and the sons and daughters of civil servants (ASN) who own oil palm plantations.
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Erico Febriandi, Scholarship Verifier for the Bangka Belitung Region and Head of the Annual and Beverage Crops Working Team at the province’s Agriculture and Food Security Office, said the program aims to broaden access to higher education while strengthening human capital across the plantation sector.
“Children of civil servants are eligible to apply, provided that their families own oil palm plantations,” Erico explained.
He noted that the scholarship represents a concrete government effort to prepare future professionals capable of meeting the evolving challenges of the palm oil industry. Through both vocational and academic education pathways, participants are expected to develop the skills, innovation, and competitiveness required by the sector.
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“This scholarship is a tangible commitment by the government to safeguard the sustainability of Indonesia’s palm oil industry by nurturing a new generation of competent and innovative professionals,” he said.
Recipients of the scholarship will receive a comprehensive support package, including full tuition coverage, monthly living allowances, book assistance, transportation support, graduation expenses, and internship opportunities with palm oil companies. Upon completing their studies, participants will also obtain professional competency certificates to enhance their employability.
Erico encouraged eligible candidates to take advantage of the remaining registration period and submit their applications before the deadline.
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“We encourage everyone who meets the requirements to apply while there is still time,” he said. (P2)
