Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) is a highly competitive scholarship program, offered by a collaboration between Singapore’s top research institutions, including A*STAR, NTU, NUS, SUTD, SMU, and SIT. It provides an excellent opportunity for international students with strong academic backgrounds to pursue a PhD or EngD in Science and Engineering in Singapore.
Open to students with outstanding undergraduate and master’s results, SINGA offers full financial support, including tuition fees, living expenses, and travel allowances, without requiring any bond commitment. This allows recipients to focus entirely on cutting-edge research while being part of Singapore’s vibrant academic and research community.
Award Benefits
The Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) offers the following benefits:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly stipend of S$2,700, which will be increased to S$3,200 after passing the Qualifying Examination
- One-time airfare grant of up to S$1,500
- One-time settling-in allowance of S$1,000
- Extension of support for up to 4 years for PhD studies, ensuring students have sufficient time to conduct their research.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) are as follows:
- Open to all international graduates with a passion for research and excellent academic results.
- Not intended for Singaporeans, Singapore Permanent Residents, or international students currently studying or who have studied at Singaporean tertiary institutions.
- Applicants must have good skills in written and spoken English.
- Applicants need strong reports from academic referees.
Eligible Universities and Degree
The eligible universities under the Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) and the degrees they offer are:
- National University of Singapore (NUS): PhD
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU): PhD
- Singapore Management University (SMU): PhD, EngD
- Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD): PhD, EngD
- Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT): EngD
Eligible Research Areas
The Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) supports research in the following eligible areas:
- Biomedical Sciences
- Computing and Information Sciences
- Engineering and Technology
- Physical Sciences
Application Process
Applying for the SINGA involves a straightforward online process. Here’s how you can go about it:
- Browse PhD Research Projects: Browse through the research areas and projects listed by the participating universities (NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT). Choose the one that aligns with your research interests and career goals..
- Online Application: Submit your application through the SINGA online application portal. Make sure you apply for the correct scholarship – “Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)”.
- Account Registration: During registration, ensure that all information you provide is accurate, as this will be used for verification.
- Submission: Do NOT mail any hard copy documents. All necessary documents must be submitted online.
- Timely Submission: Submit your application early to allow enough time for your referees to complete and submit their recommendation reports before the deadline.
- Data Accuracy: Double-check all information entered in the online application form to ensure it is correct. Amendments will NOT be possible after submission.
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Required Documents
When applying for the Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA), you will need to prepare and submit the following documents:
- Valid Passport
Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of travel. - A recent passport-sized photo
Upload a clear passport-sized photo in .jpeg or .png format.
Transcripts & Academic Records
- All transcripts must be in English translation.
Mandatory Documents:
- Bachelor’s and/or Master’s academic transcripts
- Bachelor’s Degree certificate(s) / scroll(s), or a letter of certification from the university if your degree certificate/scroll has not yet been conferred
- 2 recommendation reports (to be completed and submitted online by your referees)
Additional Requirements:
- You may be requested by the university to submit satisfactory GRE scores as part of the admission process.
- The submission of IELTS/TOEFL/SAT I & II/GATE results is optional and may be requested later by the university.
Selection Process
The selection process for the Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) involves the following:
- Shortlisting: Only shortlisted candidates will be notified within 12 weeks from the application closing date.
- Review by A*STAR: A*STAR will review all submitted applications, focusing on academic records, research potential, recommendations, and personal achievements.
- University Selection: Shortlisted candidates may be invited by the universities for further assessment, which may include additional interviews or tests, depending on the specific PhD program.
Award Duration
The award duration for the Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) supports up to 4 years of PhD or EngD studies, depending on the specific program.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) for the January 2026 intake is 1 June 2025 at 2359hrs GMT +8 Singapore time.
