The National Science Scholarship (PhD) develops top researchers for Singapore by providing access to leading international institutions and labs. Scholars gain hands-on experience through a one-year research attachment at A*STAR before commencing their PhD, equipping them with the skills to thrive in the global research community.
Applicants must:
• Be Singaporeans and other nationals intending to take up Singapore citizenship. Non-Singaporeans are required to have obtained minimally Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) prior to the commencement of the studies, and convert to Singapore citizenship during their undergraduate studies
• Have attained a good class of honours degree or equivalent in relevant disciplines
• Be in the last semester of their final year of undergraduate studies to apply. However, successful candidates will only be awarded the scholarship if they obtain a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent results that meet A*STAR’s requirements
• Have applied or be applying for a PhD programme at a top overseas institution
Mid-Term NSS (PhD) applicants must:
• Be Singaporean
• Enrolled in a top overseas institution and minimally complete at least 1 semester at the point of scholarship application
• On track to attain excellent academic standing for current degree
• Good research potential and/or achievements
• Current university supervisor to be at least 1 out of the 2 academic referees
Other requirements:
• Successful candidates are required to undergo a 1 year research attachment at an A*STAR research institute prior to their PhD studies (not applicable for mid-term NSS (PhD) candidates)
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 6 years:
• Full tuition fees
• Monthly sustenance allowance, inclusive of CPF contribution (where applicable)
• Monthly overseas living allowance
• Annual return airfare
Other allowances including
• Conference allowance
• Thesis allowance
• Computer allowance
• Settling-in allowance
• Language programme fees (for scholars studying in non-anglophone countries (where applicable))
Mid-term NSS (PhD) awardees will be offered the same terms of support as the full-term NSS (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.
*All rates/allowances vary according to country and university, and are subject to adjustments made by A*STAR.
Service Commitment:
• Upon completion of the PhD programme, scholars will return to Singapore and contribute to A*STAR’s research institutes and/or relevant organisations for 4 years.
• Scholars who complete their PhD in non-anglophone country would serve a 3-year service commitment instead.
Top overseas univerisities