A*STAR National Science Scholarship (PhD) 2026 in Singapore | Fully Funded
Worth clarifying immediately, since it shapes everything else: this scholarship genuinely welcomes applicants from anywhere in the world, but only on one condition: you commit to becoming a Singapore citizen either before or during your PhD. It isn’t a general international scholarship in the way most on this list are; it’s Singapore actively recruiting global research talent into its own citizenship and research ecosystem, in exchange for one of the most comprehensive PhD funding packages available anywhere.
The good news is that this fits your circumstances: the second application cycle for 2026 is open right now, running from 1 July through 1 October, so there’s genuine time remaining rather than a deadline already behind you. This guide covers exactly what “all countries eligible” actually means in practice, the mandatory research attachment that comes before your PhD even begins, the return-service bond most secondary sources skip over entirely, and the full breakdown of what a genuinely generous funding package includes.
Summary A*STAR National Science Scholarship (PhD)
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | A*STAR National Science |
| Host Country ⇒ | Singapore |
| Study Level ⇒ | PhD |
| Benefits ⇒ | Fully Funded — tuition, stipend, living allowance, airfare, and multiple additional grants |
| Funded by ⇒ | A*STAR Graduate Academy |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | All Countries |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | Two cycles annually: 1 January–1 April, and 1 July–1 October. First 2026 cycle closed; second cycle (1 July–1 October 2026) is currently open |
About the A*STAR National Science Scholarship (PhD)
ASTAR, Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research, runs this scholarship to build a pipeline of world-class researchers who commit to Singapore’s scientific and technological development over the long term, rather than simply funding overseas doctoral study as a standalone benefit.
Every scholar begins with a one-year research attachment at an ASTAR Research Institute before their PhD studies formally begin, gaining hands-on exposure to Singapore’s advanced research environment and building relationships with ASTAR researchers before heading overseas.
After the PhD concludes, scholars are required to return to Singapore and contribute to a research institute or relevant organisation under ASTAR. This return-service commitment, known as the bond period, runs for four years, or three years specifically if you complete your PhD in a country where English isn’t the official language.
What the Mid-Term Application Route Requires
If you’re already partway through a PhD overseas rather than just starting out, a separate mid-term pathway exists, though it’s structured slightly differently from the standard route:
- You need to already be a Singaporean citizen for this specific mid-term pathway; unlike the standard application route, it doesn’t extend to Permanent Residents on a citizenship track
- You need to already be enrolled at a top overseas institution
- You need to have completed at least one semester of your current PhD programme
- You need to maintain excellent academic standing
- You need to demonstrate strong research potential or existing achievements
- You need academic referees, including your current PhD supervisor, specifically
Mid-term scholars receive the same level of support as full-term scholars from the point the award begins, but they skip the mandatory pre-PhD research attachment, since they’re already mid-programme.
What The A*STAR National Science Scholarship (PhD) Covers
Across up to five years of PhD funding, scholars receive:
- Full tuition fees
- A monthly sustenance allowance
- A monthly overseas living allowance
- Annual return airfare
- A conference allowance, supporting attendance at relevant academic conferences
- A thesis allowance
- A computer allowance
- A settling-in allowance
- Language programme fees, where you’re studying in a country where English isn’t the primary language of instruction
All specific rates vary depending on your host country and university, so exact figures aren’t published as a single universal number. A*STAR calculates this based on the realistic cost of living and study costs in your specific destination.
What Makes You Eligible for This Scholarship
- You can be from any country in the world, provided you’re willing to commit to Singapore citizenship, either already a Singaporean citizen, or a foreign national who obtains Singapore Permanent Resident status before your studies begin and converts to full citizenship during your PhD
- You need a good class of Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification, in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline
- You can apply while still in your final semester of undergraduate study, but the scholarship is only formally awarded once you’ve completed your Bachelor’s degree and met A*STAR’s academic requirements
- You need to have applied, or be applying, to a PhD programme at a top overseas institution
- You need proficiency in written and spoken English
What Documents You Need to Prepare
- Academic transcripts
- Evidence of your Honours degree or equivalent qualification
- Proof of your PhD admission, or application status, at an overseas university
- Academic referee reports
- Any other supporting documents A*STAR requests during the specific application cycle
How To Apply
- Apply for admission to a PhD programme at a top overseas university in a relevant scientific or engineering field
- Submit your A*STAR National Science Scholarship application concurrently, rather than waiting until after receiving a university offer
- Provide every required academic document and referee report
- Shortlisted candidates are invited to two rounds of interviews, assessing research vision, academic depth, and leadership potential
- Successful applicants receive a formal scholarship offer
- Once awarded, you must accept the scholarship within two weeks. This window is firm
ApplicationTimeline
- First 2026 cycle: Applications ran 1 January through 1 April 2026, now closed
- Second 2026 cycle: Applications open 1 July and close 1 October 2026, currently open
- Selection timeline: The full process, from application deadline through to a final decision, typically takes around two to three months
- Interviews: Conducted face-to-face for all shortlisted candidates, rather than remotely, unless A*STAR specifies otherwise for a given cycle
- Next cycle after this one: Based on the established annual pattern, expect the first 2027 cycle to open around 1 January 2027, closing 1 April 2027
What to Do If You’re Applying to This Open Cycle
- Confirm that your PhD application to your target overseas university is genuinely underway, since A*STAR expects concurrent submission rather than a completed university offer before you apply for the scholarship
- Gather your academic referee reports now rather than close to the 1 October deadline, since strong, specific letters take real time to arrange
- If you’re considering the mid-term route instead, confirm you meet the Singaporean-citizenship-only requirement for that specific pathway before assuming it applies to you
- Prepare clearly for the two-round interview process by thinking through your research vision and how it aligns with Singapore’s national research priorities, not just your academic record
- If you’re a foreign national and this is your first time considering Singapore citizenship, take real time to understand what committing to PR status and eventual citizenship actually means for your long-term plans, since this is a genuine, binding commitment tied to the scholarship, not a formality
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the A*STAR National Science Scholarship (PhD) currently open?
Yes. The second 2026 cycle is open now, running from 1 July through 1 October 2026. The first cycle for this year, which ran January through April, has already closed.
Can I apply if I’m not Singaporean or a Permanent Resident?
Yes, in the sense that applicants from any country can apply, but you must commit to obtaining Singapore Permanent Resident status before your studies begin and converting to full citizenship during your PhD. This isn’t a scholarship you can hold while retaining only your original citizenship.
What happens after I complete my PhD?
You’re required to return to Singapore and work at an A*STAR research institute or relevant organisation for a bond period of four years, or three years if your PhD was completed in a country where English isn’t the official language.
Is the pre-PhD research attachment mandatory for everyone?
It’s mandatory for standard applicants, but not for mid-term applicants, since mid-term scholars are already partway through their PhD when the scholarship begins.
How long does the full selection process take from the deadline?
Approximately two to three months, covering document review, two rounds of interviews, and the final award decision.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details and figures in this post are verified from official ASTAR sources as of July 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official ASTAR Scholarships website (a-star.edu.sg/scholarships). ScholarWaka is not affiliated with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).
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