The government, through the Directorate General of Higher Education, continuously strives to encourage and increase the quantity of lecturers holding at least a master's academic qualification through various approaches. Various systematic steps and continuous improvements have always been implemented, from the TMPD and BPPS eras to the current BPPDN era. For instance, various studies show a quality gap among postgraduate students, particularly those coming from New State Universities (PTNB). Furthermore, many PTNB lecturers still do not hold a master's degree; thus, strategic measures are needed to facilitate them in pursuing quality domestic postgraduate programs. In addition to improvements in the academic field, continuous enhancements are also made to financial support aspects. Scholarship amounts and several types of funding support are constantly updated in accordance with the latest developments and backed by study results. A. Regulations for Organizers of the PTNB Affirmative Scholarship Program General Regulations The PTNB Affirmative Scholarship under the Directorate General of Science, Technology, and Higher Education Resources is awarded to study programs in BPP-DN Host Postgraduate Programs (PPs) that offer master's degree (S2) programs and have obtained BAN-PT accreditation. Regulations for State Universities (PTN) The PTNB Affirmative Scholarship is awarded to students who start their studies in the odd semester (September term). Host higher education institutions are not permitted to charge any other fees except for registration, selection, and graduation fees. In selecting applicants for the PTNB Affirmative Scholarship, the Program Director/Dean of the Postgraduate School (PPs) must consider the following three aspects: the relevance of the doctoral (S3) field of study pursued with the applicant's bachelor's (S1) and master's (S2) fields of study; a fair distribution based on regional origin and institution; special assignments from the Director General of Higher Education to the higher education institution. The list of recommendations above is selected by the Host PPs and must have their status determined as eligible PTNB Affirmative Scholarship applicants at the Host PPs through the website beasiswa.ristekdikti.go.id/bppdn The list of proposed students (whose status has been set) by the PPs Leadership is merely a recommendation, whereas the final selection of PTNB Affirmative Scholarship recipients is determined by the Director General of Science, Technology, and Higher Education Resources. The Program Director/Dean of the host Postgraduate School (PPs) is not permitted to promise anyone a PTNB Affirmative Scholarship or disclose information regarding scholarship recipients to applicants before the Decree of the Director of Human Resources Qualification is issued. The disbursement of scholarship funds will be carried out through a contract between the Directorate General of Science, Technology, and Higher Education Resources and each Host PPs, or following applicable regulations. For the smooth implementation of education, the Host PPs is required to draw up an agreement letter between the PTNB Affirmative Scholarship Recipient, the Higher Education Institution where the recipient works, and the Host PPs. If a PTNB Affirmative Scholarship recipient withdraws or graduates earlier than the specified period (24 months for master's/S2 program), or for any other reason becomes inactive in studies/lectures, all components of the scholarship funds that should not have been awarded and/or remaining funds must be returned to the state treasury through applicable return mechanisms or procedures. The Host PPs is obligated to send a Return Letter for the PTNB Affirmative Scholarship recipient who has completed their studies to the Higher Education Institution where the individual works, with a copy sent to the Director General of Science, Technology, and Higher Education Resources. Regulations for Prospective Scholarship Recipients Applicants for the PTNB Affirmative Scholarship must obtain approval from the head of their home higher education institution/institution, and be submitted to the Program Director/Dean of the target Postgraduate School. Other specific regulations are as follows: Applicants for the PTNB Affirmative Scholarship are only allowed to submit proposals to one host higher education institution (PT) offering the PTNB Affirmative Scholarship. Scholarships are not awarded to applicants pursuing the same level of education. Scholarships are not awarded to those currently receiving scholarships (which include: living expenses, book allowance, research fees, and/or educational implementation fees) funded by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia. Scholarships are granted to students who start lectures in the odd semester (September term). The age limit for PTNB Affirmative Scholarship recipients is 40 years for Master's (S2) as of December 31 of the current year. The period for awarding the PTNB Affirmative Scholarship is a maximum of 24 months for the master's (S2) program. After completing their studies, PTNB Affirmative Scholarship recipients are required to return and serve at their employing higher education institution for 1n+1 years (n is the duration of receiving the PTNB Affirmative Scholarship in years) in accordance with Minister of National Education Regulation No. 48 of 2009. PTNB Affirmative Scholarship recipients are required to comply with all academic regulations applicable at the Host PPs and/or Minister of National Education Regulation No. 48 of 2009 regarding guidelines for granting study assignments for civil servants within the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education. PTNB Affirmative Scholarship recipients who violate the above regulations are subject to sanctions in the form of returning the PTNB Affirmative Scholarship funds at twice the amount disbursed by the Government to the State Treasury Service Office (KPPN) through applicable return mechanisms. B. Requirements for Prospective PTNB Affirmative Scholarship Recipients In accordance with its purpose, this scholarship is intended for lecturers who already possess an NIDN/NUPN. In detail, the requirements for prospective PTNB Affirmative Scholarship recipients for lecturers are as follows: Lecturers at new state universities within the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education who already possess an NIDN/NUPN; Not currently holding a structural position at their teaching higher education institution; Meeting the Study Assignment requirements set in Minister of National Education Regulation No. 48 of 2009. The Study Assignment Decree (as specified in the regulation) must be obtained no later than one year after being accepted as a student. All consequences resulting from the failure to process the Study Assignment Decree are the responsibility of the lecturer concerned and the sending university.