The National Science Scholarship (BS-PhD) is ASTAR’s through-train route for overseas undergraduate and PhD study at approved top institutions. ASTAR Graduate Academy administers the scholarship to develop researchers for Singapore’s research, innovation and enterprise ecosystem.
Scholars complete research attachments at A*STAR institutes during and after undergraduate study before progressing to an overseas PhD. The award carries a return-service commitment and requires completion of the PhD pathway.
Benefits & funding
- Funding lasts up to eight years, typically three years for undergraduate study and up to five years for the PhD.
- Support includes full tuition fees, a monthly overseas living allowance, one return flight per academic year, a pre-studies allowance, applicable language-programme fees and A*STAR research attachments.
- Mid-term awardees receive the same support from the award date, plus retrospective tuition and compulsory-fee payments from Year 1.
- Scholars complete a compulsory eight-week ASTAR attachment after their first undergraduate year and a one-year ASTAR attachment before the PhD.
- The service commitment is six years, including the one-year pre-PhD attachment; it is five years if the Bachelor’s and/or PhD is completed in a non-anglophone country.
Eligibility
- Full-term applicants may be Singapore citizens or other nationals intending to take up Singapore citizenship; non-Singaporeans must hold at least Singapore permanent residence before studies begin and convert to citizenship during undergraduate study.
- Applicants must be in the final semester of GCE A-Levels, a polytechnic diploma or an equivalent qualification, with excellent academic standing, and must apply or be applying to an approved overseas undergraduate programme.
- Mid-term applicants must be studying at a top overseas university, have at least one semester of graded results, be on track for excellent standing and show good research potential or achievements. The eligibility section includes Singapore permanent residents intending citizenship, while the page’s FAQ says the mid-term route is for Singaporeans only, so applicants should confirm the current rule with A*STAR.
- Applicants need a keen interest in science and research; science- or mathematics-related projects and achievements are preferred, not mandatory.
- Supported areas include computer and information sciences, engineering and technology, physical sciences and biomedical sciences; medical and veterinary degrees are not supported.
- Male scholars must complete National Service before undergraduate study begins.
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Application process
- 1Apply to a top overseas university either alongside the scholarship application or in the next admission period, and do not accept the university offer until A*STAR approves the institution and course.
- 2During the annual window, follow the application link on the programme page and submit the online scholarship application with academic credentials and all supporting documents.
- 3Arrange two academic referee reports within seven working days of submitting the form; for a mid-term application, at least one referee must be a tenure-track or tenured academic or equivalent.
- 4If shortlisted, attend two interview rounds, conducted face to face unless A*STAR states otherwise.
- 5Successful applicants receive an offer conditional on university admission and A*STAR approval, then have two weeks to accept it.
Program timeline
Annual application deadline
1 March
First-round interviews
Mid-March to April
Final-round interviews
April to May
Application outcomes
From mid-May
Annual application window opens
1 December