LPDP Alumni May Be Allowed to Stay Abroad Longer

The Director of the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP), Sudarto, stated that LPDP is open to extending the stay abroad for scholarship recipients who successfully pass very strict selection processes at world-class research institutions or industries.

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According to Sudarto, LPDP’s basic policy still requires awardees to return to Indonesia after completing their studies. However, under certain conditions – especially if alumni obtain strategic opportunities at global research centres – LPDP can consider granting permission to stay longer.

“If there are those who pass very strict selections abroad for important research, LPDP may issue a letter of permission or extension,” said Sudarto during a media briefing at the Directorate General of Fiscal Balance, Jakarta, Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

He gave the example that positions at world-class research or design institutions are not easily obtained. If there are Indonesian talents who succeed in reaching that level, he said, the opportunity should be considered because it can have a big impact on Indonesia’s reputation and network on the international stage.

However, Sudarto emphasized that this permission is not automatic and still goes through a review mechanism. LPDP also does not guarantee the availability of jobs, both inside and outside the country, because this is beyond the authority of the scholarship management agency.

Currently, LPDP rules still require alumni to return to Indonesia. However, if after two years they have not found a job that matches their field of expertise, their case can be further reviewed.

Sudarto believes that the main issue is not just the obligation to return, but the readiness of the national ecosystem to absorb highly educated graduates. LPDP, he said, is only one part of the human resource development chain.

In line with this direction, in 2026 LPDP changed its tagline from “Education Service” to “Impact Mission” to emphasize the focus on the real impact produced by alumni, both domestically and through strategic contributions at the global level.