A*STAR SINGA Scholarship 2026 in Singapore (Fully Funded)

About

The Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) 2026, administered by the Agency for Science, Technology & Research (ASTAR) in collaboration with Nanyang Technological University (NTU), National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Singapore Management University (SMU), and Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), is a fully funded, bond-free scholarship for international students pursuing PhD or EngD degrees. Designed for the January 2026 intake, SINGA supports research in science and engineering at Singapore’s top universities and ASTAR institutes, fostering a vibrant, multicultural research community. With 240 awards annually, recipients work in state-of-the-art labs under world-renowned supervisors, earning degrees from NTU, NUS, SUTD, SMU, or SIT while exploring Singapore’s dynamic role as a gateway to Asia’s fastest-growing economies.

Scholarship Details

• Organization: Agency for Science, Technology & Research (A*STAR) and partner universities (NTU, NUS, SUTD, SMU, SIT)
• Program Levels: PhD, EngD
• Scholarship Coverage: Fully Funded
• Eligible Nationalities: All Nationalities (non-Singaporeans, non-Singapore Permanent Residents)
• Host Country: Singapore
• Location: Singapore (A*STAR Research Institutes, NTU, NUS, SUTD, SMU, SIT)
• Duration: 4 years
• Number of Awards: Approximately 240 per year
• Application Deadline: June 1, 2025 (23:59 GMT+8, Singapore time)

Financial Benefits

The SINGA Scholarship provides comprehensive support for up to 4 years, including:

• Tuition Fees: Full coverage of all academic fees.
• Monthly Stipend: S$2,700 (approximately US$2,000), increasing to S$3,200 (approximately US$2,400) after passing the PhD Qualifying Examination.
• Airfare Grant: One-time grant of up to S$1,500 (approximately US$1,100) for travel to/from Singapore.
• Settling-in Allowance: One-time payment of S$1,000 (approximately US$750) upon arrival.
• Additional Benefits:
  • Access to cutting-edge research facilities and global networking opportunities.
  • Priority for on-campus accommodation (typically for first-year students).
  • Support for attending international conferences (subject to approval).

Check also: Islamic University Madinah Scholarship 2025 in Saudi Arabia (Fully Funded)

Study Programs

SINGA supports full-time PhD or EngD programs in the following fields:

• Biomedical Sciences: Molecular biology, bioinformatics, medical technology.
• Computing and Information Sciences: Artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity.
• Engineering and Technology: Aerospace, chemical engineering, robotics.
• Physical Sciences: Physics, chemistry, materials science.

Training is conducted in English at A*STAR Research Institutes or partner universities (NTU, NUS, SUTD, SMU, SIT). Applicants can choose research projects aligned with their interests, supervised by distinguished researchers. Degrees are conferred by NTU (PhD), NUS (PhD), SUTD (PhD, EngD), SMU (PhD, EngD), or SIT (EngD). Social sciences, humanities, and economics are not eligible.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be an international student (Singaporeans, Singapore Permanent Residents, or those who have studied in Singapore tertiary institutions are ineligible).
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree (or be in the final year) with at least Second Upper Class Honours (CGPA ≥ 3.0/4.0 or equivalent) or a Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Demonstrate a strong passion for research in science or engineering.
• Provide two recommendation letters from academic referees attesting to research potential and academic excellence.
• Have good written and spoken English skills (IELTS/TOEFL optional at application; may be required by universities later).
• Submit a valid passport for application.
• Note:
  • No age limit; mature applicants with research experience are welcome.
  • GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, or GATE scores are not mandatory but may be requested for university admission (e.g., GRE for NUS applicants).
  • Applicants can pursue a PhD directly after a Bachelor’s degree, with coursework exemptions possible for Master’s holders.

Check also: Khalifa University Scholarships 2025 in UAE (Fully Funded)

Deadline

Applications must be submitted by June 1, 2025 (23:59 GMT+8, Singapore time). Only shortlisted candidates will be notified within 12 weeks of the deadline.

How to Apply

To apply for the A*STAR SINGA Scholarship 2026, follow these steps:

1. Visit the SINGA application portal: SINGA Application Portal.
2. Browse research projects at A*STAR Research Areas or partner university websites (NTU, NUS, SUTD, SMU, SIT) to identify projects and supervisors.
3. Create an account on the SINGA portal and select “Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)” as the scholarship type.
4. Complete the online application form, including personal details, academic history, and supervisor/project preferences.
5. Upload the following documents (in English or with certified translations):
   • Valid passport copy.
   • Recent passport-sized photo (.jpg or .png format).
   • Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree certificates (or a letter from the university if not yet conferred).
   • Academic transcripts for Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degrees.
   • Two recommendation reports (submitted online by referees; ensure referees have 7 days post-submission to complete).
   • Optional: GRE, IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, or GATE score reports (if available or required by the university).
6. Submit the application early to allow referees time to upload recommendations (applications without two reports are incomplete).
7. Do not mail hard copies; all documents must be submitted online.
8. For NUS applicants, include GRE scores in the application (code: 0677).