A*STAR National Science Scholarship (PhD)

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.

• Table of Content
• About Agency for Science, Technology and Research
• A*STAR PhD Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of A*STAR PhD Scholarship
• Requirements for A*STAR PhD Scholarship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

A*STAR PhD Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of A*STAR PhD Scholarship

Successful applicants will be given the following support* for up to 5 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, NSS (PhD) 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 a non-anglophone country would serve a 3-year service commitment instead.

Requirements for A*STAR PhD Scholarship Qualification

Applicants must:

• Be Singaporean or 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 PhD 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

Application Deadline

How to Apply

1. Apply for University and A*STAR scholarship concurrently
2. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for two rounds of interview
3. Successful applicants will be given an offer
4. Awarded applicants will be given 2 weeks to accept the scholarship

For more information, kindly visit A*STAR scholarship webpage.