The shortage of human resources in science and technology is a well recognized problem confronting Thailand's effort to industrialize and attain the status of a developed country. A particularly critical area within this problem, which is perhaps not well recognized, is the fact that Thailand has very limited manpower with research capabilities. With this in mind, NSTDA has therefore adopted a strategy to support human resource development (HRD) with emphasis on building RD&E leaders and researchers of the future. In more specific terms, NSTDA's HRD effort has been focused on fellowship supports to enhance the capability and increase the number of future researchers. Also, in keeping with the overall technology aims, HRD supports are directed towards the three strategic technology areas, namely biotechnology, metal and materials technology and electronics and computer technology.

Study supports include both local and overseas fellowship programs, with support for local graduate training being emphasized in the time frame of the 7th national plan. The overseas program includes scholarships for studies at the first degree level as well as graduate training in various countries.

The fact that Thailand has no post-doctoral program or fellowship often hinders returning Thai doctoral graduates from overseas from entering rapidly into the R&D community. To alleviate this problem NSTDA is therefore launching a post-doctoral and visiting fellowship program which will enable doctoral graduates of Thai and other nationalities to work in laboratories in Thailand.