Quick Information
| Country | Singapore |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | PhD |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded |
| Scholarship Value | Full tuition up to 4 years + monthly stipend S$2,700 (S$3,200 after PhD Qualifying Examination) + airfare grant up to S$1,500 + S$1,000 settling-in allowance; bond-free |
| Application Deadline | December 1, 2026 |
| Last Verified Date | November 11, 2026 |
What SINGA Is
The Singapore International Graduate Award, known as SINGA, is a joint PhD award from Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and five partner universities: the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, the Singapore University of Technology and Design, the Singapore Management University and the Singapore Institute of Technology. It funds four years of doctoral research in science and engineering, carried out in English in a chosen laboratory, and it carries no bond — scholars are not required to work in Singapore afterwards.
What It Pays
SINGA pays full tuition for up to four years and a monthly stipend of S$2,700, rising to S$3,200 after you pass the PhD Qualifying Examination. On top of that, there is a one-time airfare grant of up to S$1,500 and a one-time settling-in allowance of S$1,000. That combination makes it one of the best-funded PhD awards in Asia, and the stipend step after the qualifying examination marks the move from coursework into full research.
Who Can Apply
SINGA is open to international graduates from every country. You need a bachelor’s degree — or a Master’s — with excellent results, a genuine interest in research, and strong written and spoken English. Singapore citizens, permanent residents and students who have already studied at a Singapore institution cannot apply. Two referee reports are required, and because the award is project-based, your fit with the research projects you choose matters as much as your grades. Note that SINGA is a PhD award only: it does not fund bachelor’s or Master’s study.
How to Apply
Apply directly through the A*STAR scholarship portal. Choose a research project and supervisor first, then submit the application with your academic records and two referee reports. For the August 2027 intake, applications close at 23:59 Singapore time on 1 December 2026. A second intake for January 2028 closes on 1 June 2027. Because A*STAR rebuilt its website in 2026 and the dedicated SINGA page moved, confirm the current round’s date on the official A*STAR site or in the applicant portal before you plan around it.
Why SINGA Stands Out
For a science or engineering graduate who wants a research career, SINGA offers funded PhD training at world-class institutes, a strong stipend, no bond and a direct route into a research laboratory from day one. The main challenge is the research fit: you are assessed as a future researcher, so a clear research interest and well-chosen projects matter more here than in most scholarship applications.