The Wang Gungwu Visiting Fellowship is a fully funded research fellowship at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, open to postdoctoral researchers and mid-career policymakers studying Southeast Asia. This is a recurring annual programme — the most recent cycle, for the 2027 cohort, closed on 4 August 2026, confirmed directly on ISEAS’s own official page. This guide covers eligibility, benefits, and how to prepare for the next application window.
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About the Wang Gungwu Visiting Fellowship
The fellowship honours Professor Wang Gungwu, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees at ISEAS, recognising his 17-year tenure at the Institute. It’s built to develop the next generation of scholars and policymakers examining how major power relations shape Southeast Asia, with research grounded in specific priority areas confirmed directly on ISEAS’s own page:
- Developments in US-China relations and their impact on Southeast Asia
- Asia Pacific security issues, including the South China Sea and China-ASEAN relations
- Progress and prospects of regional and global economic cooperation initiatives
- The use of digital media and technology by countries to advance influence across Southeast Asia
Selected fellows are required to reside at ISEAS for the full duration of their fellowship, contribute research output to the Institute’s own ISEAS Perspective and ISEAS Fulcrum publications, and present their findings at an in-house seminar during their stay. Past fellows include Dr. Du Yue (2024 cohort) and Dr. Deasy Pane (2025 cohort), both of whom gave public interviews about their fellowship experience, confirmed on ISEAS’s own site.
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Wang Gungwu Visiting Fellowship Summary
| Fellowship Name ⇒ | Wang Gungwu Visiting Fellowship |
| Host Country ⇒ | Singapore |
| Host Institution ⇒ | ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute |
| Category ⇒ | Fellowship |
| Duration ⇒ | 2 to 6 months |
| Rewards ⇒ | Monthly stipend, housing subsidy, round-trip economy airfare, full or partial research funding, office space, library and IT access |
| Application Status ⇒ | Closed. The 2027 cohort deadline was 4 August 2026. This is a recurring annual fellowship — check ISEAS’s official page for the next cycle’s opening. |
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a postdoctoral researcher or a mid-career policymaker
- Applicants without a PhD or equivalent are still encouraged to apply, provided they hold a relevant level of professional experience
- Research proposals should align clearly with ISEAS’s stated priority areas above
What the Fellowship Covers
- A fixed monthly stipend, including a housing subsidy
- Round-trip economy airfare between the fellow’s home country and Singapore
- Full or partial project funding, depending on the proposal
- Access to office space, the ISEAS Library, computer equipment, and IT services
- A genuine professional network within one of Southeast Asia’s most established policy research institutes
Required Documents
- An updated CV or résumé
- A cover letter
- Two reference letters, submitted directly by referees — not by the applicant — to [email protected]
- A cost-sharing proposal for partial or full funding, where required
- A three-page, double-spaced research statement
How the Application Process Works
This is worth stating clearly, since older listings still describe an outdated process: applications are submitted through ISEAS’s official online FormSG portal, not by emailing documents directly. Only your two reference letters are submitted separately, by your referees themselves via email to [email protected], using the subject line: “Application for ISEAS Wang Gungwu Visiting Fellows Programme [Year] – Reference Letter for [First Name and Last Name].”
Applications are evaluated on research proposal quality, policy relevance, academic credentials, and alignment with ISEAS’s stated research priorities.
How to Prepare for the Next Cycle
- Watch ISEAS’s official fellowship page directly for the next application window to open — cycles have opened around May in recent years, with deadlines typically in early August
- Draft your research proposal now, built specifically around one of ISEAS’s four stated priority research areas rather than a general Southeast Asia interest
- Identify your two referees early, and brief them on the specific fellowship and subject line format their reference letter needs to follow
- Prepare your three-page double-spaced research statement well ahead of time, since this is a genuine piece of scholarly writing, not a short form response
- If your funding request would only be partial, prepare your cost-sharing proposal alongside your main application
Official Application Portal
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Wang Gungwu Visiting Fellowship still accepting applications?
No, not currently. The most recent cycle, for the 2027 cohort, closed on 4 August 2026. This is a recurring annual fellowship, so check ISEAS’s official page for the next cycle’s opening date.
Do I need a PhD to apply for this fellowship?
Not necessarily. Postdoctoral researchers with a PhD are eligible, and mid-career policymakers without a PhD are also encouraged to apply, provided they have relevant professional experience.
How do I actually submit my application?
Through ISEAS’s official online FormSG portal, not by email. Only your two reference letters are submitted separately, sent directly by your referees to [email protected].
How long does the fellowship last?
Between 2 and 6 months, with fellows required to reside at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore for the full duration.
What are fellows expected to do during their time at ISEAS?
Contribute research to the Institute’s ISEAS Perspective and ISEAS Fulcrum publications, and present their research findings at an in-house seminar during their residency.
Disclaimer: All fellowship details were verified directly against ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute’s official page as of August 2026. The most recent cycle has closed — always confirm current application status and the next cycle’s dates directly at iseas.edu.sg before preparing an application.
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