The Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) funds international students for a four-year PhD in science and engineering in Singapore. It is run by the research agency A*STAR together with Singapore’s universities, including NUS, NTU and SUTD. The award covers tuition, a monthly stipend, an airfare grant and a settling-in allowance. SINGA has two intakes a year, and applications for the August 2027 intake are expected to close on 1 December 2026.
This guide explains what SINGA covers, who can apply, how applications are selected and how to apply step by step. Confirm the intake deadline on the official page. It was last checked on 4 October 2026.
SINGA 2027 at a glance
| Host country | Singapore |
|---|---|
| Run by | A*STAR with Singapore universities |
| Study level | PhD |
| Fields | Science and engineering |
| Funding | Fully funded for 4 years |
| Who can apply | International students |
| Intakes | Two a year |
| Expected deadline, August 2027 intake | 1 December 2026 |
Where will you study?
SINGA students do their research at an A*STAR research institute or at one of the partner universities, and the PhD degree is awarded by the university. The partners include the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU) and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). Your supervisor and project decide where you are based.
What does SINGA cover?
- Full tuition for four years of PhD study
- A monthly stipend, which increases after you pass the qualifying examination
- A one-time airfare grant
- A one-time settling-in allowance
The award has no bond, so you are not required to work in Singapore afterwards. Check the current stipend amounts on the official page.
Who can apply?
- International graduates with a passion for research
- Excellent results in a bachelor’s or master’s degree in science or engineering
- Good English, written and spoken
- Good reports from academic referees
SINGA is intended mainly for international students who are studying in Singapore for the first time. Singapore citizens and permanent residents are not eligible. Singapore universities admit strong students to PhD study directly after a bachelor’s degree, so a master’s is not always required.
Documents you need
- Online SINGA application
- Transcripts
- Two recommendation reports, completed online by your referees
- English test results, if required
- Your choice of supervisors or projects
How SINGA selects students
A*STAR states that the selection criteria include:
- your academic record;
- publications;
- recommendations from academic referees;
- personal achievements;
- passion and ability to excel in research;
- an interview, if you are shortlisted.
At interview, the panel also assesses your spoken and written English.
How to apply, step by step
- Browse the SINGA research projects and supervisors and choose up to three that match your background.
- Create an account on the A*STAR scholarship application portal and select SINGA.
- Fill in your academic details and upload transcripts.
- Nominate two academic referees, who submit their reports online.
- Submit before the intake deadline.
- Attend the interview if you are shortlisted.
Intakes and timing
SINGA has two intakes each year, in August and in January. In recent years the application for the August intake has closed around 1 December, and the application for the January intake around 1 June. Confirm the dates for your intake on the official page, because they can change.
Tips to strengthen your application
- Choose supervisors whose projects match your degree and any research you have done.
- List publications, projects and prizes clearly. They are part of the criteria.
- Ask referees who know your research ability, and remind them of the deadline.
- Practise explaining your research interests in clear English.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing projects unrelated to your background.
- Late referee reports.
- Selecting the wrong scholarship in the portal.
- Applying as a Singapore citizen or permanent resident.
Is SINGA right for you?
It suits you if:
- you want a PhD in science or engineering and have excellent grades;
- you have some research experience, such as a thesis, a project or a publication;
- you are ready to commit to four years of full-time research;
- you have not studied in Singapore before.
Look elsewhere if:
- you want a master’s degree only;
- your field is outside science, engineering and related research areas;
- you are a Singapore citizen or permanent resident.
How to choose supervisors and projects
Your choice of supervisors is the most important decision in the application. The portal lets you select projects or supervisors from the SINGA list.
- Search by research area first, then read each supervisor’s recent papers.
- Choose projects where your degree subjects and any research experience clearly apply.
- Do not choose three unrelated areas. A consistent set of choices shows that you know what you want to research.
- You may write to a supervisor to introduce yourself, with your CV and a short note on your interests. It is not required, but it helps you judge the fit.
How to prepare each document
Academic record
Upload complete transcripts with the grading scale. If your university ranks students, include proof of your rank. Academic results are the first thing the panel looks at.
Publications and projects
List papers, conference presentations, your thesis and significant projects. For each one, state your own contribution in a line. Publications are named in the selection criteria, so do not leave them out.
Referee reports
Two academic referees complete their reports online. Choose teachers who supervised your research or taught you in advanced courses. Tell them the deadline and remind them a week before it.
Research interests
Where the form asks about your research interests, be specific: the questions you want to work on, the methods you know and why Singapore’s institutes suit that work. Our statement of purpose guide can help you structure it.
English
Submit test results if your university requires them. Your English is also assessed at the interview, so practise explaining your research aloud.
A preparation plan
- Two months before the deadline: browse SINGA projects and shortlist supervisors.
- Six weeks before: ask your two referees and send them your CV.
- One month before: prepare transcripts, rank proof and your list of publications and projects.
- Three weeks before: write your research interests and review your supervisor choices.
- Two weeks before: complete the online form and check that your referees have submitted.
- One week before: review everything and submit.
After you apply
Applications are reviewed after the intake deadline. If you are shortlisted, you are invited to an interview, which is usually held online. The panel asks about your academic background and research interests. Successful candidates receive an offer and then apply for admission to the partner university and for a student pass to study in Singapore.
Living in Singapore as a SINGA student
Singapore is safe, well connected and English-speaking, which makes settling in easier than in many countries. It is also expensive, and rent is the largest cost. The monthly stipend is meant to cover your living expenses, and the settling-in allowance helps with your first weeks. Ask your university about student housing as soon as you accept the offer, because places are limited. The stipend rises after you pass the qualifying examination, usually in the second year.
Similar scholarships to consider
- Scholarships in Singapore: research scholarships at NUS and NTU.
- Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme: a funded PhD open to all nationalities.
- KAUST Fellowship: fully funded MS and PhD study in Saudi Arabia.
- GIST Scholarship: funded science and engineering study in South Korea.
Final checklist before you submit
- You selected SINGA in the scholarship portal, not another A*STAR award.
- Your supervisor or project choices are in related research areas.
- Your transcripts are complete and include the grading scale.
- Your publications, thesis and projects are listed, with your own contribution to each.
- Both referees have received the request and know the deadline.
- Your research interests are specific and match the projects you chose.
- Your English test result is attached, if your university requires one.
- You are applying for the correct intake, August or January.
- You are not a Singapore citizen or permanent resident.
Log in again a week before the deadline to confirm that both referee reports have arrived. An application without them is incomplete, and reminders from you are the only way to speed them up.
What to do while you wait
Results take time, so keep your other applications moving. Many SINGA applicants also apply for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship and the KAUST Fellowship, which ask for similar documents. If you are invited to interview, read your chosen supervisors’ recent papers again and prepare a two-minute summary of your own research experience.
A note on timing
Apply in the first half of the window if you can. Referees often need reminders, and an early start leaves time to fix a missing document or change a supervisor choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is IELTS required for SINGA?
English test results are requested where the university requires them. Your English is also assessed at interview.
Can I apply with only a bachelor’s degree?
Yes, if your results are excellent.
Is there a bond?
No.
How long is the award?
Up to four years.
How many intakes are there?
Two each year.
Where is the PhD degree from?
From the partner university where you are enrolled, such as NUS, NTU, SMU or SUTD.
Do I need a master’s degree?
No. Strong bachelor’s graduates can apply directly.
What happens at the interview?
Shortlisted applicants are interviewed about their research interests, and their English is assessed.
Where to apply
Apply through the official A*STAR SINGA page. See our SINGA scholarship page and our guide to scholarships in Singapore.
Related scholarships: funding, stipend and deadlines
| Scholarship | Funding | Stipend | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore International Graduate Award | Fully funded | See the scholarship page | 1 Dec 2026 (expected) |
| NUS Research Scholarship 2027 in Singapore | Fully funded | International students: S$3,000 a month (PhD) or S$2,900 a month (master's by research), from 1 January 2026 | 15 Dec 2026 (expected) |
| NTU Research Scholarship 2027 in Singapore | Fully funded | International students: S$3,000 a month (PhD) or S$2,900 a month (master's by research), rates from January 2026 | 31 Jan 2027 (expected) |
This list updates itself from our scholarships page. Stipend figures are shown where the provider publishes them. See all scholarships.
