The National University of Singapore awards this scholarship to graduate students undertaking full-time research degrees at NUS. It supports Master’s by Research and PhD candidates across NUS graduate programmes, with applicants considered through the admission process of their chosen faculty or school.
Recipients study and conduct research in Singapore. The scholarship is initially awarded for one year and may be renewed each semester subject to satisfactory progress and NUS approval.
Benefits & funding
- The scholarship provides a full tuition-fee waiver and a monthly stipend.
- From 1 January 2026, Singapore Citizens receive SGD 3,800 per month at either degree level; Singapore Permanent Residents receive SGD 3,400 for PhD study or SGD 3,000 for Master’s study; international students receive SGD 3,000 for PhD study or SGD 2,900 for Master’s study.
- PhD scholars who pass the qualifying examination within the stipulated period may receive an additional SGD 500 per month, renewable each semester subject to performance.
- CPF contributions are added for Singapore Citizens; NUS states that there is no specific service bond.
- Typical maximum support is four years for PhD candidates and two years for Master’s candidates; travel and other costs are not additionally covered.
Eligibility
- Applicants may be of any nationality and must seek a full-time NUS Master’s by Research or PhD place.
- Applicants need an undergraduate degree with at least Second Class Honours, Upper Division or Honours with Distinction, or an equivalent qualification.
- At the time of award, the applicant must hold an offer for a full-time NUS graduate research programme and be eligible for the MOE tuition-fee subsidy.
- For PhD assessment, NUS requires a relevant degree and good GPA, a statement of purpose, recommendation letters and a comprehensive CV; GRE scores, publications, research-project experience and English tests where applicable may strengthen the application.
- Scholars must reside in Singapore during the award except for approved leave; international recipients must complete the Graduate Assistantship Programme requirements.
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Education required
Bachelor · Master
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Application process
- 1Choose an NUS faculty, school and full-time research degree, then check that unit’s admission window and requirements.
- 2Prepare the faculty-specific documents, which may include transcripts, degree certificates, a CV, statement of purpose, research proposal, test scores and referee reports.
- 3Apply through the NUS Graduate Admission System and indicate interest in the scholarship within the admission application.
- 4Complete any additional scholarship requirements shown in the portal; shortlisted research-scholarship applicants may be invited to faculty or department interviews.
Program timeline
CDE closes its January 2027 intake for applicants residing in Singapore; its international and scholarship Round 1 deadline was Aug 1, 2026.
Sep 1, 2026
Most listed FASS programmes close applications for the August 2027 intake.
Nov 1, 2026
Faculty of Science closes applications for the August 2027 intake.
Nov 15, 2026
FASS Economics closes applications for the August 2027 intake.
Dec 1, 2026
NUS research-degree intakes; available programmes and deadlines vary by faculty.
January and August