Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) 2025/2026 | How to Apply
The Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) 2025/2026 is open to international students who want to pursue a fully funded PhD or EngD in Science and Engineering in Singapore. The award is jointly run by A*STAR and five participating universities — NTU, NUS, SUTD, SMU, and SIT. SINGA covers full tuition, a monthly stipend starting at S$2,700 and rising to S$3,200 after you pass your Qualifying Examination, a one-time airfare grant of up to S$1,500, and a one-time settling-in allowance of S$1,000, for up to four years of PhD study.
The scholarship is open to research in Biomedical Sciences, Computing and Information Sciences, Engineering and Technology, and Physical Sciences. The application deadline has not yet been confirmed — only shortlisted candidates are notified, within 12 weeks of the deadline closing.
Explore: Chulabhorn Graduate Institute Post-graduate Scholarship in Thailand | Fully Funded
Summary of the SINGA Scholarship 2025/2026
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) |
| Host Country ⇒ | Singapore |
| Study Level ⇒ | Postgraduate Scholarships | PhD Scholarships |
| Benefits ⇒ | Fully Funded — Tuition, monthly stipend (S$2,700–S$3,200), airfare grant, settling-in allowance |
| Funded By ⇒ | A*STAR, in partnership with NTU, NUS, SUTD, SMU, and SIT |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | All countries (international students who have not previously studied in Singapore) |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | Closed |
Scholarship Categories to Explore on ScholarWaka— Here are some key scholarship opportunities you should check out on ScholarWaka:
- Study Abroad: Study in USA | Study in Canada | Study in UK | Study in Europe | Study in Asia | Study in Australia | Study in Africa
- Scholarship Category: Undergraduate Scholarships | Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships | PhD Scholarships | Diploma Scholarships | Competitions | High School Scholarships | Internships Scholarships | Training | Fellowships
About the Singapore International Graduate Award
SINGA is jointly administered by Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and five of Singapore’s leading universities: Nanyang Technological University (NTU), National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Singapore Management University (SMU), and Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). The award is designed to bring international research talent into Singapore’s science and engineering research ecosystem.
As a SINGA scholar, you conduct your research at an A*STAR research institute or at one of the participating universities, and your final degree is awarded by one of the university partners — NTU, NUS, SUTD, SMU, or SIT. The degree type available depends on which institution awards it: NUS and NTU award PhDs only, SMU and SUTD offer either a PhD or an EngD, and SIT offers EngD only.
The programme gives scholars access to research facilities across A*STAR’s institutes and the partner universities, mentorship from established researchers in their field, and a multicultural research environment that draws international students from across the world.
Also explore: MTCP Scholarship in Malaysia | Fully Funded
What the Scholarship Covers
SINGA covers the following for up to four years of PhD study:
- Full coverage of tuition fees for the duration of your programme
- A monthly stipend of S$2,700, which increases to S$3,200 once you pass your Qualifying Examination
- A one-time airfare grant of up to S$1,500
- A one-time settling-in allowance of S$1,000
Check out: University of Malta Scholarships | How to Apply
Estimated monthly living costs in Singapore, for budgeting purposes, break down as follows: food costs range from S$250 to S$600 depending on whether you eat mainly at university canteens or off campus, on-campus accommodation in a single room ranges from S$400 to S$700, transport costs range from S$100 to S$150, and miscellaneous expenses range from S$400 to S$500. Total estimated living costs fall between S$1,400 and S$2,000 per month. Your stipend of S$2,700 (or S$3,200 post-Qualifying Examination) is designed to cover these costs, but budget carefully against the higher end of each range if you are in an expensive housing situation.
Eligibility Requirements for the Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)
You must meet all of the following to apply:
- You must be an international graduate with a strong academic background and a genuine interest in research
- You must hold excellent academic results from your undergraduate and/or master’s studies
- You must have good written and spoken English skills
- You must be able to secure strong recommendation reports from academic referees
- You must not have previously studied in Singapore — SINGA is designed primarily for international students who are new to studying in the country
Key disqualifier: Singapore citizens, Singapore permanent residents, and international students who have already studied in Singapore are not eligible for SINGA, regardless of their academic record. Additional selection criteria may also apply depending on specific A*STAR policies for your chosen research area.
Eligible Research Areas
SINGA funds PhD and EngD research across four broad areas:
- Biomedical Sciences
- Computing and Information Sciences
- Engineering and Technology
- Physical Sciences
Browse specific available research projects within these areas through the official SINGA platform before applying, since your application should connect to a specific project or research direction rather than a general field of interest.
Also Check: Erasmus Mundus IMAPP Scholarship (Fully Funded)
Required Documents
All documents must be submitted online through the SINGA application portal. Hard copies are not accepted. You will need:
- A valid passport
- A recent passport-sized photo, in .jpeg or .png format
- Academic transcripts for your bachelor’s and/or master’s studies, translated into English if not already in English
- Bachelor’s degree certificate or a university letter of certification
- Two online recommendation reports from academic referees
The following may be requested later in the process and are not mandatory at the point of initial application:
- GRE scores
- IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, or GATE scores
One practical warning: your application will not be processed unless both of your academic referees submit their recommendation reports online before the deadline. This is outside your direct control once you have requested the reports, so contact your referees early and confirm they understand the report must be submitted through the SINGA portal directly, not sent to you.
Also Check: Chinese Government Scholarships in China | How to Apply
How to Apply for the Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)
- Browse available PhD and EngD research areas and specific projects through the official SINGA platform to identify where your research interests fit.
- Gather all required documents — your passport, photo, transcripts, degree certificate, and the contact details of your two academic referees.
- Visit the official SINGA application portal and register an account. Select “Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)” as your scholarship scheme.
- Complete your online application and request your two referees submit their recommendation reports through the portal before the deadline. Applications with fewer than two completed referee reports are not processed.
- Review all entered information carefully before final submission — once submitted, no changes can be made to your application.
- Submit your completed application before the deadline.
For more information, visit the SINGA FAQ page
Application Deadline
The deadline for the 2025/2026 cycle has not yet been confirmed. Monitor the official SINGA portal for the published date. Only shortlisted candidates are notified, and this notification happens within 12 weeks of the application deadline closing — if you do not hear back within that window, you were likely not shortlisted for this cycle.
If you have questions about your application, contact [email protected], or visit the SINGA FAQ page for further information.
Explore this: SIIT Graduate Scholarship | Fully Funded
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SINGA scholarship fully funded?
Yes. It covers full tuition fees, a monthly stipend of S$2,700 (rising to S$3,200 after your Qualifying Examination), a one-time airfare grant of up to S$1,500, and a one-time settling-in allowance of S$1,000, for up to four years of PhD study.
Can Nigerian and African students apply for SINGA?
Yes. SINGA is open to international students from all countries, provided you have not previously studied in Singapore and you are not a Singapore citizen or permanent resident. There are no specific country restrictions beyond this.
What degree will I receive if I am a SINGA scholar?
Your degree is awarded by whichever university partner supervises your research — NTU, NUS, SUTD, SMU, or SIT. NUS and NTU award PhDs only. SMU and SUTD offer either a PhD or an EngD. SIT awards EngD only. Your research itself may take place at an A*STAR institute or at the awarding university.
Do I need a GRE or IELTS score to apply?
Not initially. GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, or GATE scores may be requested later in the application process, but are not required documents at the point of your first submission. Check the specific requirements for your chosen research area, as some may request these scores during later review stages.
Will I be notified if I am not shortlisted?
The source material notes that only shortlisted candidates will be notified, within 12 weeks of the application deadline. If you do not receive a response within that window, this generally means your application was not shortlisted for the current cycle.
Why do I need two academic referees specifically, not professional ones?
SINGA requires recommendation reports specifically from academic referees who can assess your research potential and academic ability. Professional references from employers are not part of the standard required document list for this scholarship.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria were verified from the official Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) website as of June 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official source before submitting your application.
Official Application Portal
Join ScholarWaka Community
Get the latest scholarship updates and study abroad opportunities before anyone else.
