A*STAR International Fellowship

Benefits & funding

• Support covers up to two years of overseas postdoctoral training.
• Fellows receive monthly overseas living and sustenance allowances, with CPF contributions included in the sustenance allowance.
• The award provides annual return airfare and annual personal insurance.
• Additional support includes settling-in, computer and conference allowances.
• Mid-term Research awardees receive the same support from the award date, plus retrospective payment of compulsory fees incurred since their postdoctoral training began.
• The award provides no extra support for spouses or family members, and the overseas host must cover consumables and research-related fees.

Eligibility

• Applicants are normally Singapore citizens or permanent residents; non-permanent-resident foreigners with outstanding records may be considered exceptionally, but every non-Singaporean must obtain Singapore citizenship before the fellowship starts.
• Applicants must have completed a PhD within the previous four years and must have no existing institutional bond. Final-stage PhD candidates may apply, but the award is confirmed only after the degree is conferred.
• Research-track applicants need excellent publication records and must have applied, or be applying, for a relevant postdoctoral position at a leading overseas university or laboratory.
• Innovation-track applicants must demonstrate strong aptitude and ambition for innovation and entrepreneurship; a good publication record is preferred rather than required.
• Mid-term applications are available only for the Research track and require Singapore citizenship, current enrolment at a leading overseas university or laboratory, a good publication record, and the current postdoctoral supervisor as one of two academic referees.

Application process

1. 1
   Choose the Research or Innovation track and review its dedicated A*STAR careers listing.
2. 2
   Prepare a CV before creating an account, then submit through the relevant online listing during an application cycle.
3. 3
   Research-track applicants should establish a project proposal with an overseas supervisor and apply for the relevant postdoctoral position; the award depends on a confirmed place at an approved institution.
4. 4
   Discuss the proposed topic with the relevant ASTAR Research Institute and align it with ASTAR’s research direction and the institute’s needs.
5. 5
   Submit the complete application and any requested supporting documents; shortlisted applicants attend at least two interview rounds and any applicable tests.
6. 6
   Before the first interview, obtain endorsement from the proposed A*STAR Research Institute supervisor and Executive Director; the first interview includes a 15-minute project presentation followed by 15 minutes of questions.

Program timeline

1. First application cycle opens

   1 January

2. First application cycle closes

   1 April

3. First-cycle interviews

   Mid-April to May

4. First-cycle outcomes

   From mid-June

5. Second application cycle opens

   14 July

6. Second application cycle closes

   1 October

7. Second-cycle interviews

   Mid-October to mid-November

8. Second-cycle outcomes

   From December

9. Case by case

   A*STAR Graduate Academy may consider off-cycle applications