The ASTAR International Fellowship (AIF) is a prestigious scholarship designed to support early-career researchers in advancing their careers in research and innovation. Through this fellowship, successful applicants will receive up to 2 years of overseas postdoctoral training in leading overseas universities, research institutions or overseas deep-tech startups which are portfolio companies of top-tier venture capital/builder firms. The AIF aims to nurture global-ready talent who will contribute meaningfully to ASTAR’s mission and the broader R&D ecosystem upon the completion of their training.
Applicants must:
• Be Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents (SPR). Foreigners who are non-SPRs and with outstanding track records may be considered on an exceptional basis. Non-Singaporeans are required to have obtained Singapore citizenship prior to the commencement of the fellowship
• Have completed a PhD within the last 4 years. Applicants in the final stages of their PhD may apply for the AIF. However, their AIF award is confirmed only upon conferment of their PhD degree.
• Not have existing bonds to any institution
Additional track-specific requirements:
AIF (Research):
• Possess excellent publication records
• Have applied or be applying for a relevant postdoctoral position at a top overseas university/laboratory
AIF (Innovation):
• Demonstrate strong aptitude and aspiration to pursue roles in innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E)
• Preferably with good publication records
Mid-Term AIF applicants must:
• Be Singaporean
• Enrolled in a top overseas university/lab at the point of scholarship application
• Possess good publication records
• Current postdoctoral supervisor to be at least 1 out of the 2 academic referees
The above eligibility criteria are not exhaustive. A*STAR may include additional selection criteria based on prevailing scholarship policies. These policies may be amended from time to time without notice.
Successful applicants will be given the following support* for up to 2 years of overseas postdoctoral research training:
• Monthly overseas living allowance
• Monthly sustenance allowance, inclusive of CPF contribution (where applicable)
• Annual return airfare
• Annual personal insurance
Other allowances including:
• Settling-in allowance
• Computer allowance
• Conference allowance
Mid-term AIF awardees will be offered the same terms of support as the full-term AIF awardees from the point of the award, with retrospective payment for any compulsory fees incurred from the start of postdoctoral training.
*All rates/allowances vary according to country and university/lab, and are subject to A*STAR adjustments from time to time.
Service Commitment:
• Upon completion of the postdoctoral research training, scholars will return to Singapore and contribute A*STAR’s research institutes and/or relevant organisations for three (3) years.
Leading research institutions or Universities overseas