The National Science Scholarship (BS-PhD) is Singapore’s only through-train science scholarship that supports scholars from undergraduate to PhD studies overseas. It offers access to top global institutions, labs, and scientific mentors.
The NSS (BS-PhD) also gives you the opportunity to engage in rigorous learning across scientific disciplines.
Applicants must:
• Be Singaporean. Non-Singaporeans are required to have obtained minimally Singapore Permanent Residence prior to the commencement of the studies, and convert to Singapore citizenship during their undergraduate studies
• Have achieved excellent academic standing in the GCE ‘A’ Levels (preferably with 11 AUs), polytechnic diploma (preferably with Merit) or equivalent qualifications (e.g. International Baccalaureate or NUS High School diploma)
• Be in the last semester of their final year of studies to apply. However, successful candidates will only be awarded the scholarship if they obtain GCE “A” Level or equivalent results that meet A*STAR’s requirements
• Have applied or be applying for an undergraduate programme at a top overseas university, to study in one of the areas as listed under the “Research Areas” section.
Other requirements:
• Applicants should have a keen interest in Science and research. Preference will be given to candidates with experience and notable achievements in science- or math-related projects and activities
• Male scholars are required to serve National Service prior to commencement of undergraduate studies
• Applicants are encouraged to sit for the SAT tests to broaden their choices of institutions for their undergraduate education. Although A*STAR does not mandate a minimum SAT score as a qualifying condition for the undergraduate scholarships awarded for studies, applicants are encouraged to submit their SAT scores, if available, to be included in the overall assessment of their applications
Mid-Term NSS (BS-PhD) applicants must:
• Be Singaporean or Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) who intend to take up Singapore citizenship
• Be enrolled in a top overseas university and minimally completed at least 1 semester of graded results at the point of scholarship application
• Have completed at least 2 semesters or 1 academic year of graded results at the point of scholarship application
• Be on track to attain excellent academic standing for current degree
• Have good research potential and/or achievements
• Tenured track or tenured academics/ Professors (or equivalent) to be at least 1 out of the 2 academic referees
The above eligibility criteria is 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 support for their undergraduate studies, comprising*:
• Full tuition fees
• Monthly allowance
• Annual return airfare
• Pre-studies allowance
• Language programme fees (for scholars studying in non-anglophone countries (where applicable))
• Research attachment opportunities at A*STAR Research Institutes
Mid-term NSS (BS-PhD) awardees will be offered the same terms of support as the full-term NSS (BS-PhD) awardees from the point of the award, with retrospective payment for all tuition fees and/or any compulsory fees from Year 1 of study onwards.
*Rates/allowances vary according to country and university, and are subject to adjustments by A*STAR from time to time.
Service Commitment:
• NSS scholars are required to fulfill a 6 year service commitment, inclusive of a compulsory 1 year research attachment at A*STAR prior to their PhD studies
• NSS (BS-PhD) scholars who complete their Bachelor’s and/or PhD in a non-anglophone country would serve a 5-year service commitment instead
Top overseas universities