Singapore Government Scholarship 2027 | Application Process

Q: Do I need to complete a Master’s degree before applying for the Singapore Government Scholarship (A*STAR Graduate Scholarship)?

No. A*STAR states that it is not necessary to have a Master’s degree before applying for its PhD scholarships.

Q: What happens in the two interview rounds, and who usually interviews candidates?

A*STAR explains that shortlisted applicants go through at least two rounds of interviews. The interview panels can include senior leadership from the Biomedical Research Council or Science & Engineering Research Council, as well as researchers from A*STAR’s research entities.Expect questions around your research direction, motivation, readiness for PhD, and how your work aligns with the intended research area.

Q: What exactly counts as a “Singapore-based company” for the 3-year service commitment?

A*STAR defines “Singapore-based companies” as local companies and international companies that have a base in Singapore and are registered with ACRA (Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority).

Q: Can I still apply if my proposed PhD supervisor does not already collaborate with A*STAR?

Yes, but A*STAR states the nominated supervisor(s) must be approved by A*STAR. You may need your proposed supervisor to check with their university or the relevant Research Institute (RI) HR on the process to be approved as an AGS supervisor.A*STAR notes that, in most cases, the main/co-supervisors should hold at least a Principal Investigator or Principal Scientist designation at an A*STAR RI.

Q: If I am nominated/selected, do I still have to meet the university’s PhD requirements?

Yes. A*STAR states scholars must still satisfy the coursework and graduation requirements of the university that confers the PhD. You should confirm milestones (coursework, qualifying exams, thesis requirements) with your supervisor and programme office.

Q: Can I change my research topic or project after starting the PhD?

A*STAR states scholars must seek written permission before changing the course of study or research project. Requests are assessed case-by-case, and A*STAR cautions that a mid-point change can badly affect PhD progress.

Q: Does the scholarship pay for lab consumables or research fees charged by the lab/university?

A*STAR states it does not pay for consumables or research fees. These costs should be borne by the university/lab as part of the partnership arrangements with the universities.

February 26, 2026February 18, 2026 by Muhammad Faizan

The Singapore Government Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for international students who want to study in Singapore. This scholarship is available for PhD programmes. The application process for this scholarship is straightforward. You can follow the step-by-step instructions presented in this article to apply for this fully funded scholarship. The Singapore Government Scholarship 2027 covers full tuition fees, a monthly stipend, support for up to 12 months of overseas attachment, and other allowances for thesis, conference, and computer.

The Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) is a collaboration between the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), the National University of Singapore (NUS), and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). Singapore serves as a gateway to some of the fastest-growing economies in the Asia-Pacific region. Through SINGA, you can pursue your PhD studies in Singapore, build global connections, and take your research career to new heights.

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) drives mission-oriented research to advance scientific discovery and technological innovation. Within its research institutes and in collaboration with the broader research community and industry, A*STAR plays a key role in nurturing and developing scientific talent and leadership.

Singapore Government Scholarship Highlights

Degree Programme	PhD
Scholarship Provider	A*STAR / Singaporean Universities
Study Destination	Singapore
Fields of Study	See the list below to find all the available degree programmes
Programme Duration	4 years
Funding	Fully Funded

Available Degree Programmes

Biomedical Research

Antimicrobial Resistance
Bioinformatics
Food Science, Food Processing
Human Potential & Clinical Sciences
Infectious Diseases
MedTech
Metabolic & Brain Health
Precision and Preventive Health
Synthetic Biology
Therapeutics

Science & Engineering Research

Automated hub operations
Data, AI and Compute
Quantum
Real-time, Resilient & Optimised Supply Chain
Semiconductors
Smart and Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing
Sustainable Energy and Chemicals

Singapore Government Scholarship Benefits

The Singapore Government Scholarship will provide the recipients with the following benefits:

Full tuition fees
Monthly stipend
Other allowances, including
• Book allowance
• Computer allowance
• Conference allowance
• Thesis allowance
Support for up to 12 months of overseas attachment

Eligibility Requirements for the Singapore Government Scholarship 2027

The following are the minimum eligibility requirements for the Singapore Government Scholarship:

Be a Singaporean or Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) who has obtained, or is on track to obtain, at least a Second-Class (Upper) Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline. Non-SPR foreigners must have completed or be on track to obtain at least a second-class (upper) honours degree from a Singapore autonomous university.
Be in the last semester of their final year of undergraduate studies to apply.
Satisfy the criteria for and gain admission to a PhD programme in an autonomous university.
For Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents: no service commitment.
For Non-Singaporeans: 3-year service in Singapore-based companies without commitment to any specific organisation. The area of work should preferably be in CIS disciplines.

Step-by-Step Application Process for the Singapore Government Scholarship 2027

The following simple and easy application process will help you to apply for this scholarship:

Step 1: Apply for university and scholarship concurrently using this link.

Step 2: Prepare the following documents in advance before applying:

Identification card or passport.
A recent passport-sized photo (in .jpeg or .png format).
Bachelor’s and/or master’s academic transcripts.
Bachelor’s Degree certificate(s) / scroll(s) or a letter of certification from the university on your candidature if your degree certificate/scroll has not yet been conferred.
Two recommendation reports minimum (to be completed and submitted online by the referees).

Step 3: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for two rounds of interviews.

Step 4: Successful candidates will be given an offer.

Singapore Government Scholarship Application Deadline

The annual application deadline for the Singapore Government Scholarship is 15 February or 1 August.

For further information about the Singapore Government Scholarship and the application process, please visit the official websites:

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to complete a Master’s degree before applying for the Singapore Government Scholarship (A*STAR Graduate Scholarship)?

No. A*STAR states that it is not necessary to have a Master’s degree before applying for its PhD scholarships.

What happens in the two interview rounds, and who usually interviews candidates?

A*STAR explains that shortlisted applicants go through at least two rounds of interviews. The interview panels can include senior leadership from the Biomedical Research Council or Science & Engineering Research Council, as well as researchers from A*STAR’s research entities.

Expect questions around your research direction, motivation, readiness for PhD, and how your work aligns with the intended research area.

What exactly counts as a “Singapore-based company” for the 3-year service commitment?

A*STAR defines “Singapore-based companies” as local companies and international companies that have a base in Singapore and are registered with ACRA (Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority).

Can I still apply if my proposed PhD supervisor does not already collaborate with A*STAR?

Yes, but A*STAR states the nominated supervisor(s) must be approved by A*STAR. You may need your proposed supervisor to check with their university or the relevant Research Institute (RI) HR on the process to be approved as an AGS supervisor.

A*STAR notes that, in most cases, the main/co-supervisors should hold at least a Principal Investigator or Principal Scientist designation at an A*STAR RI.

If I am nominated/selected, do I still have to meet the university’s PhD requirements?

Yes. A*STAR states scholars must still satisfy the coursework and graduation requirements of the university that confers the PhD. You should confirm milestones (coursework, qualifying exams, thesis requirements) with your supervisor and programme office.

Can I change my research topic or project after starting the PhD?

A*STAR states scholars must seek written permission before changing the course of study or research project. Requests are assessed case-by-case, and A*STAR cautions that a mid-point change can badly affect PhD progress.

Does the scholarship pay for lab consumables or research fees charged by the lab/university?

A*STAR states it does not pay for consumables or research fees. These costs should be borne by the university/lab as part of the partnership arrangements with the universities.

How does the overseas attachment work (duration, timing, and approvals)?

A*STAR states AGS/ACIS scholars may be funded to conduct research overseas for a minimum of 3 months and up to 1 year (maximum), typically midway through the PhD.

A*STAR also notes you must show evidence of existing collaborations between supervisors and the overseas institute, the time overseas must support overall PhD progress, and supervisors must fully endorse the plan.

What if I need more time than the scholarship funding period to finish my PhD?

A*STAR states that if you need more time beyond the funding period, you must seek approval from A*STAR’s management for a PhD extension.

I already applied for another A*STAR scholarship (e.g., NSS PhD). Can I still be considered for AGS?

Yes. A*STAR states applicants can indicate in the NSS (PhD) application form if they wish to be considered for AGS if they are found suitable.

I’m already a PhD student. Is there a “mid-term” option, and what changes if I’m awarded mid-way?

Yes. A*STAR lists a Mid-Term AGS pathway and states mid-term scholars receive the same level of support as full-term scholars from the point of award. A*STAR also notes mid-term awards may include retrospective payment of tuition/compulsory fees from Year 1 onward (per AGS terms).

How long does the selection process usually take after I submit a complete application?

A*STAR states the scholarship process typically takes about five months from submission of a complete application to notification of results, so applying early is recommended.

If I’m currently funded by another ministry/agency scholarship, can I apply for AGS at the same time?

A*STAR advises candidates to clarify the policy with their current sponsoring organisation before applying for AGS or other A*STAR scholarships.

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