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The SINGA Scholarship 2027 officially known as the Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) is one of Asia’s most prestigious and generous fully funded PhD scholarships, offering outstanding international graduates from every country the opportunity to pursue a doctorate in Science and Engineering in Singapore at world-class research institutions, with a monthly stipend of S$2,700 (rising to S$3,200 after the PhD Qualifying Examination), full tuition coverage, a one-time airfare grant of up to S$1,500, and a one-time settling-in allowance of S$1,000 — all completely bond-free. The SINGA Scholarship 2027 is a joint initiative of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), the Singapore Management University (SMU), and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). The next key deadline is 1 December 2026 for the August 2027 intake. Apply online at sms-applicant-app.a-star.edu.sg.
Since its establishment in 2008, SINGA has built a community of more than 900 graduates from over 40 countries — researchers who have gone on to lead groundbreaking work in biomedical sciences, engineering, computing, artificial intelligence, and physical sciences across academia, industry, and government worldwide. SINGA scholars conduct their research at A*STAR’s world-renowned research institutes and/or at one of Singapore’s top autonomous universities, supervised by leading scientists and researchers at the cutting edge of their fields.
Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
| Full Name | Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) |
| Offered By | A*STAR + NUS + NTU + SUTD + SMU + SIT (Singapore) |
| Established | 2008 |
| Degree Level | PhD or EngD in Science and Engineering |
| Duration | Up to 4 years |
| Bond | Historically bond-free — verify current bond conditions with A*STAR before applying (singa@a-star.edu.sg) |
| Eligible Applicants | All international graduates — not Singapore citizens, PRs, or students who have studied in Singapore |
| Research Areas | Biomedical Sciences | Physical Sciences | Engineering and Technology | Computing and IT |
| Tuition Fees | Fully covered for up to 4 years |
| Monthly Stipend (before Qualifying Exam) | S$2,700 per month (widely confirmed 2025-2026 — verify current amount with A*STAR) |
| Monthly Stipend (after Qualifying Exam) | S$3,200 per month (widely confirmed 2025-2026 — verify current amount with A*STAR) |
| Airfare Grant | One-time grant of up to S$1,500 |
| Settling-In Allowance | One-time S$1,000 upon arrival in Singapore |
| Health Insurance | NOT included — scholars must arrange own coverage |
| Family/Dependent Support | NOT included — no funds for spouse or dependants |
| No Age Limit | No official age restriction |
| No IELTS Required by SINGA | SINGA has no language test requirement — host university may |
| Supervisor Choice | Must indicate preferred supervisor(s) — can select up to 3 research projects |
| Amendments After Submission | NOT allowed — review carefully before submitting |
| Recommendation Letters | 2 required — must be submitted by referees before deadline |
| Deadline — August 2027 Intake | 1 December 2026 at 23:59 GMT+8 (all partner institutions) |
| Deadline — January 2028 Intake | 1 June 2027 at 23:59 GMT+8 (A*STAR and NTU only) |
| Shortlisting | Within 12 weeks of application closing date |
| Application Portal | sms-applicant-app.a-star.edu.sg |
| Official Website | a-star.edu.sg/SINGA |
| Contact | singa@a-star.edu.sg |
| Alumni | 900+ graduates from 40+ countries since 2008 |
Detail Description
The Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) was established in 2008 as a bold initiative to attract the world’s brightest young researchers to Singapore — one of Asia’s most dynamic, innovative, and globally connected cities. Singapore consistently ranks among the world’s top research hubs, with exceptional strengths in biomedical sciences, semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence, sustainable energy, data science, and advanced manufacturing. The country’s universities — NUS, NTU, SUTD, SMU, and SIT — are globally ranked research institutions. A*STAR (the Agency for Science, Technology and Research) operates a network of world-class research institutes that collaborate with leading global companies including GSK, Pfizer, Rolls-Royce, DSO, and hundreds of others.
SINGA scholars benefit from Singapore’s unique position as a global innovation hub — a city-state with world-class infrastructure, a safe and multicultural environment, strong English-language research culture, and direct connectivity to Asia’s fastest-growing economies. Since 2008, the SINGA programme has produced more than 900 PhD graduates from over 40 countries, many of whom have gone on to lead research groups, found companies, and take senior positions at universities and research institutions worldwide.
— unlike many government scholarship programmes that require scholars to work in the host country for a number of years after graduation, SINGA imposes no service obligation. After completing your PhD, you are free to pursue your career anywhere in the world. This is one of the most significant advantages of SINGA over comparable fully funded PhD scholarships in Asia and globally.
Benefits
| Benefit | Amount / Details |
| Full Tuition Fees | 100% of tuition fees covered for up to 4 years of PhD/EngD study |
| Monthly Stipend (before Qualifying Exam) | S$2,700 per month — paid throughout the initial PhD candidacy phase |
| Monthly Stipend (after Qualifying Exam) | S$3,200 per month — increased after passing the PhD Qualifying Examination |
| One-Time Airfare Grant | Up to S$1,500 — to cover travel costs to Singapore at the start of the scholarship |
| One-Time Settling-In Allowance | S$1,000 — upon arrival in Singapore to cover initial settling-in expenses |
| Research Facilities | Access to A*STAR’s state-of-the-art research labs and/or university research facilities |
| On-Campus Accommodation | Priority given to first-year students for on-campus housing |
| Conference Travel | Potential funding through host university or research institute — not guaranteed |
| Health Insurance | NOT covered — scholars must arrange their own health insurance coverage |
| Family / Dependant Support | NOT covered — no additional funds for spouse or children |
| Bond | BOND-FREE — no service obligation after graduation |
Research Areas
SINGA PhD programmes broadly fall under four research categories. All research projects are conducted in English:
| Research Area | Key Fields | Host Institutions |
| Biomedical Sciences | Genomics, cancer biology, infectious diseases, immunology, bioinformatics, drug discovery, clinical research, neuroscience | A*STAR institutes, NUS, NTU, Duke-NUS (via NUS) |
| Physical Sciences | Materials science, chemistry, nanotechnology, photonics, semiconductor physics, quantum technology | A*STAR institutes, NUS, NTU, SUTD |
| Engineering and Technology | Mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace, manufacturing, robotics, energy, environmental engineering | NUS, NTU, SUTD, SIT, A*STAR |
| Computing and IT | Artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, cybersecurity, data science, human-computer interaction | NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, A*STAR |
Partner Research Institutions
SINGA scholars conduct their research at one or more of the following world-class Singapore institutions:
- A*STAR Research Institutes: A network of 20+ research institutes covering biomedical sciences, physical sciences, engineering, and manufacturing — including the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Institute for Infocomm Research (I²R), Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), and many others
- National University of Singapore (NUS): Asia’s leading global university — QS World Ranking Top 10
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU): Asia’s fastest-rising research university — QS World Ranking Top 20
- Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD): Singapore’s technology-design-focused university, established in collaboration with MIT
- Singapore Management University (SMU): Singapore’s business and social sciences research university
- Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT): Applied learning and professional education institution
Eligibility Criteria
- International Graduate: Must be an international student who has not previously studied in a Singapore tertiary institution. Singaporean citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents, and international students who have studied or are studying at a Singapore tertiary institution are NOT eligible.
- Passion for Research: Must have a strong, genuine interest in pursuing doctoral research in science and engineering. SINGA is specifically for candidates committed to research — not coursework-based programmes.
- Excellent Academic Record: Must have outstanding undergraduate and/or Master’s academic results. A GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 (or equivalent) is generally expected, though A*STAR makes a holistic assessment considering all achievements.
- English Proficiency: Must be proficient in written and spoken English. SINGA itself does not require an IELTS or TOEFL score — but your chosen host university may have its own English language requirements. Check with your specific institution.
- Strong Academic References: Must be able to provide two academic references from supervisors, professors, or researchers who can speak directly to your research aptitude and academic achievements.
- No Age Limit: There is no official age restriction for SINGA applicants.
- Supervisor Required: Must identify and indicate a preferred supervisor when applying. Browsing available PhD projects and supervisors at a-star.edu.sg/SINGA before applying is essential.
Who is NOT Eligible:
- Singapore citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents
- International students who are currently studying or have previously studied at any Singapore tertiary institution
- Candidates applying for coursework-based (non-research) postgraduate programmes
Application Deadlines
| Intake | Deadline | Eligible Institutions |
| August 2027 Intake | 1 December 2026 at 23:59 GMT+8 (Singapore Time) | A*STAR, NUS, NTU, SUTD, SMU, SIT — ALL partner institutions |
| January 2028 Intake | 1 June 2027 at 23:59 GMT+8 (Singapore Time) | A*STAR and NTU only |
Required Documents
- Online application form — submitted via sms-applicant-app.a-star.edu.sg
- Valid passport — copy of passport information page
- Recent passport-size photograph — JPEG or PNG format
- Academic transcripts — Bachelor’s and Master’s (if applicable) transcripts, must be in English or officially translated
- Degree certificate / scroll — or official letter of certification from your university confirming completion/candidature (if not yet awarded)
- Research proposal or statement of research interest — outlining your proposed PhD research direction and how it relates to your chosen supervisor’s work
- Two academic recommendation reports — submitted directly online by your referees (not uploaded by you). Both must be submitted before the application deadline. Applications without 2 submitted references will NOT be processed.
- English language test scores (if required by your chosen host university — check specific university requirements)
- GRE scores (if required by your chosen host university — not mandatory for all institutions)
Application Process
Step 1: Browse Available PhD Projects and Choose Your Supervisor
Before starting your application, go to a-star.edu.sg/SINGA and browse the available PhD and EngD research projects listed by A*STAR, NUS, NTU, SUTD, SMU, and SIT supervisors. Read each project description carefully and identify up to 3 projects and supervisors that genuinely align with your academic background and research interests. You are required to indicate your supervisor choice(s) in the application form — this is a mandatory field and not an afterthought. Consider contacting potential supervisors by email before applying to discuss your research interests and express your motivation.
Step 2: Contact Your Two Academic Referees Immediately
You need two academic recommendation reports submitted directly online by your referees before the application deadline of 1 December 2026. Contact your referees now — give them maximum time to write detailed, specific letters about your research potential and academic achievements. Recommendation letters from professors, research supervisors, or senior academics who have directly supervised your research work are the most valuable. Share your research statement and CV with your referees so they can write targeted, relevant letters. After you submit your application, they will receive an automated email with a link to submit their recommendation online. Applications without both submitted references by the deadline will NOT be processed.
Step 3: Prepare All Required Documents
Gather your passport copy, recent passport-size photo (JPEG/PNG), Bachelor’s and Master’s academic transcripts (in English or with certified translation), degree certificates or official completion letters, and any language test scores required by your chosen university. Write your research proposal — this is a critical document. It should clearly outline your proposed PhD research topic, its significance, your methodology, and how it connects to the work of your chosen supervisor. A strong research proposal is one of the most important factors in SINGA selection.
Step 4: Register and Complete the Online Application
Go to the SINGA application portal at sms-applicant-app.a-star.edu.sg and create an account using a valid email address. Complete all sections of the application form — personal details, academic history, research interest, supervisor preferences, and document uploads. Review everything carefully before submitting — amendments are NOT possible after submission. Submit well before the deadline of 1 December 2026 at 23:59 GMT+8.
Step 5: Ensure Both References Are Submitted Before 1 December 2026
After submitting your application, your referees will receive an automated invitation to submit their recommendation reports online. Follow up with both referees to confirm they have received the invitation and will submit before the deadline. Both recommendation reports must be submitted before 1 December 2026 at 23:59 GMT+8 for your application to be processed. An application submitted on time but without both references will NOT be considered.
Step 6: Await Notification — Within 12 Weeks of Closing Date
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified — within 12 weeks of the application closing date (i.e., by approximately early March 2027 for the December 2026 deadline). If you are shortlisted, you will be invited for an interview — typically conducted in English, either in person or online. If selected, you will receive a formal scholarship offer and admission confirmation from your chosen institution.
How to Apply
Also Check
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- 📌 MEXT Japan Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded Japanese Government Scholarship
- 📌 Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded Postgraduate at Cambridge University
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the SINGA Scholarship 2027?
The SINGA Scholarship 2027 (Singapore International Graduate Award) is a fully funded, bond-free PhD scholarship jointly offered by A*STAR, NUS, NTU, SUTD, SMU, and SIT in Singapore. It covers full tuition fees for up to 4 years, a monthly stipend of S$2,700 (rising to S$3,200 after the Qualifying Exam), a one-time airfare grant of up to S$1,500, and a one-time settling-in allowance of S$1,000. Open to all international graduates in Science and Engineering fields. The August 2027 intake deadline is 1 December 2026 at 23:59 GMT+8. Apply at sms-applicant-app.a-star.edu.sg.
2. When is the SINGA 2027 application deadline?
There are two intake deadlines: (1) 1 December 2026 at 23:59 GMT+8 — for the August 2027 intake, open to all partner institutions (A*STAR, NUS, NTU, SUTD, SMU, SIT); (2) 1 June 2027 at 23:59 GMT+8 — for the January 2028 intake, available at A*STAR and NTU only. These deadlines are fixed each year. Only shortlisted candidates are notified within 12 weeks of the closing date.
3. What does the SINGA Scholarship cover?
SINGA covers: full tuition fees (up to 4 years), monthly stipend of S$2,700/month (rising to S$3,200 after passing the PhD Qualifying Exam), one-time airfare grant up to S$1,500, and one-time settling-in allowance of S$1,000. SINGA does NOT cover health insurance — scholars must arrange their own coverage. No funding is provided for a spouse or dependants. Priority for on-campus accommodation is given to first-year scholars.
4. Is the SINGA Scholarship bond-free?
Yes — the SINGA Scholarship is completely bond-free. Unlike many government scholarship programmes that require recipients to return to the host country or serve a specified number of years in a government institution, SINGA imposes no such obligation. After completing your PhD, you are free to pursue your career anywhere in the world — in Singapore, your home country, or any other country.
5. Who is eligible for the SINGA Scholarship?
Any international graduate with excellent academic results and a passion for research in Science and Engineering. You must NOT be a Singapore citizen, Singapore Permanent Resident, or an international student who is currently studying or has previously studied at a Singapore tertiary institution. There is no age limit and no IELTS requirement from SINGA — though your chosen host university may have its own English language requirements. Holistic selection considers academic results, research potential, and referee recommendations.
6. How many SINGA scholarships are awarded?
The exact number of SINGA scholarships awarded per year is not publicly specified by A*STAR. Since the programme’s founding in 2008, more than 900 PhD graduates from over 40 countries have been produced — reflecting a strong and consistent annual intake. The competition is highly selective — only candidates with exceptional academic records and genuine research passion are shortlisted.
7. Do I need to contact a supervisor before applying?
You are required to indicate your preferred supervisor(s) in the application form — you can select up to 3 research projects and their associated supervisors. While not strictly mandatory to contact them first, it is strongly recommended to email potential supervisors before applying to discuss your research interests, confirm the project is still available, and increase your chances of a successful application. A supervisor who knows your profile in advance is more likely to support your candidacy through the selection process.
Final Thoughts
The SINGA Scholarship 2027 is one of the most complete, generous, and strategically valuable PhD funding opportunities available to international research graduates in Asia. A monthly stipend of S$2,700–3,200, full tuition coverage, airfare, settling-in allowance, access to world-class research facilities, supervision by leading global researchers, and — crucially — complete freedom after graduation with no bond requirement. Singapore’s position as Asia’s premier innovation hub, its safe and cosmopolitan environment, its strong English-language research culture, and its direct connections to the world’s fastest-growing economies make it an extraordinary place to pursue a PhD. The next deadline is 1 December 2026 for the August 2027 intake. Start identifying your supervisor and research project today at a-star.edu.sg/SINGA, brief your two referees immediately, and submit your application well before the deadline. Contact the SINGA office at singa@a-star.edu.sg for any enquiries.
