A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (AGS)

Benefits & funding

• Support for up to four years of PhD study.
• Full tuition fees.
• Monthly sustenance allowance, inclusive of CPF contribution where applicable. A*STAR does not publish the amount on the scholarship page.
• Book allowance, computer allowance, conference allowance and thesis allowance.
• Support for up to 12 months of overseas attachment. The FAQ sets the attachment at a minimum of three months and a maximum of one year, taken midway through the PhD.
• Consumables and research fees are not covered; lab costs are borne by the university.
• Mid-term awardees receive the same level of support as full-term scholars from the point of the award.
• Singapore citizens and permanent residents serve no bond. Awardees who are neither citizens nor permanent residents serve three years with Singapore-based companies, with no commitment to any specific employer.
• After the PhD, scholars may apply for the A*STAR International Fellowship, a fully funded overseas post-doctoral attachment of up to two years, within four years of completing the doctorate.

Eligibility

• Open to all nationalities. Singapore citizens and permanent residents qualify on a degree earned anywhere; applicants who are neither citizens nor permanent residents must have obtained, or be on track to obtain, the qualifying degree at a Singapore autonomous university.
• At least a Second-Class (Upper) Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline, obtained or on track.
• Full-term applicants must be in the last semester of the final year of undergraduate study.
• Mid-term applicants must be enrolled at a Singapore autonomous university with at least one semester completed, on track for excellent academic standing, and able to show research potential or achievements. Their current supervisor must be one of the two academic referees.
• Admission to a PhD programme at an autonomous university must be secured; the scholarship and the university admission run as parallel applications.
• Assessment is holistic, so research experience and achievements are weighed alongside the degree classification.
• The published criteria are not exhaustive and A*STAR may add selection criteria under prevailing scholarship policy.
• No age limit, work-experience requirement or gender restriction is stated.

Application process

1. 1
   Identify a research project and secure two co-supervisors: an A*STAR researcher of at least Principal Investigator or Principal Scientist standing, and a faculty member at the chosen university.
2. 2
   Develop a research proposal aligned with Singapore’s research, innovation and enterprise priorities.
3. 3
   Obtain the A*STAR supervisor’s endorsement, covering a summary of the research project, confirmation of willingness to supervise, and the rationale for support.
4. 4
   Create an account in the scholarship application system with a CV ready, then complete the form with academic credentials and the proposed research area.
5. 5
   Arrange at least two referee reports; mid-term applicants must include their current supervisor as one referee.
6. 6
   Apply for PhD admission at the autonomous university in parallel with the scholarship application.
7. 7
   Attend at least two interview rounds, held with A*STAR researchers and with research council leadership.
8. 8
   Receive the outcome by email. Selection takes roughly five months from a complete submission.

Program timeline

1. First cycle opens

   1 November

2. First cycle closes

   1 February

3. First-cycle interviews

   Mid-February to March

4. First-cycle outcomes

   From mid-April

5. Second cycle opens

   1 June

6. Second cycle closes

   10 August

7. Second-cycle interviews

   Mid-August to October

8. Second-cycle outcomes

   From mid-November

9. Most recent deadline, the second 2026 cycle

   Aug 10, 2026

10. Next cycle opens, closing 1 February 2027

    Nov 1, 2026