Singapore Government Scholarships 2026—especially those powered by A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research)—are among the most career-focused funding options in Asia, supporting talent from undergraduate level through PhD and postdoctoral fellowships with strong research training and global exposure. Because “A*STAR scholarships” is an umbrella term (multiple programs with different deadlines), the smartest approach is to choose the exact track (Bachelor’s/BS-PhD, Master’s/PhD, PhD, Postdoc/Fellowship) and follow the official page for that track’s intake timeline.

Basic information (and deadlines)

ASTAR is Singapore’s lead public-sector R&D agency and a major scholarship provider, offering multiple scholarship and fellowship pathways that connect studies to research careers in Singapore’s innovation ecosystem. For 2026, candidates will typically apply under one (or more) of these key ASTAR-linked opportunities:

Undergraduate / BS-PhD track: National Science Scholarship (BS-PhD), which funds undergraduate studies (often overseas) and progression toward PhD, with research attachments at A*STAR.
PhD track: A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (AGS) and National Science Scholarship (PhD), which provide full tuition and a monthly allowance plus other academic allowances.
Postdoc / Fellowships: A*STAR International Fellowship (AIF) for up to 2 years of overseas postdoctoral training (Research or Innovation track) followed by a return to Singapore.
Other Singapore “government-linked” research funding: Programs like the NRF Fellowship (Singapore’s National Research Foundation) can involve A*STAR institutes as hosting institutions.

Application deadlines: deadlines vary by program and intake, and applicants should confirm dates on the official ASTAR scholarship pages for the specific scholarship/fellowship they are targeting. For some related ASTAR-linked PhD routes, such as SINGA (Singapore International Graduate Award), widely circulated timelines show a deadline tied to intake cycles (for example, a June deadline for a January intake in past cycles). Therefore, it’s crucial to verify the current cycle on the official portal before applying.

University/institution details

ASTAR scholarships and fellowships connect scholars to Singapore’s research ecosystem, including ASTAR’s network of research institutes (RIs) and Singapore’s top autonomous universities. A*STAR oversees multiple research institutes in biomedical sciences and physical sciences & engineering, located mainly in Singapore’s innovation hubs, such as Biopolis and Fusionopolis.

Depending on your scholarship track, you may be hosted or affiliated with:

A*STAR Research Institutes (RIs) in Singapore for research attachments, thesis work, or post-scholarship employment.
Singapore autonomous universities (commonly NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT—depending on the specific scholarship route and degree).
Overseas universities/institutions (especially under the National Science Scholarship BS-PhD track and the A*STAR International Fellowship, which explicitly funds overseas training).

Types of Scholarships:

Study areas (program names and fields)

1. National Science Scholarship (BS–PhD)

Biomedical Sciences

Biomedical Sciences
Biochemistry
Bioscience & Biotechnology
Microbiology

Physical Sciences

Chemistry
Mathematics
Natural Sciences
Physics

Engineering & Technology

Aerospace Engineering
Bioengineering
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical & Molecular Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
Materials Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Production & Process Engineering

Computer & Information Sciences

Applied Mathematics
Bioinformatics
Computer Science
Computer & Software Engineering
Information Technology
Statistics

2. National Science Scholarship (PhD)

Biomedical Research

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

Science & Engineering Research

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

3. A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (AGS)

Biomedical Research

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

Science & Engineering Research

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

4. A*STAR International Fellowship (AIF)

Biomedical Research

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

Science & Engineering Research

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

Singapore Government Scholarships benefits (what you get)

National Science Scholarship (BS–PhD)

Full tuition fees
Monthly overseas living allowance
Annual return airfare
Pre-studies allowance
Language programme fees (if applicable)
Research attachment at A*STAR

National Science Scholarship (PhD)

Full tuition fees
Monthly sustenance allowance (with CPF, where applicable)
Monthly overseas living allowance
Annual return airfare
Conference, thesis & computer allowances
Settling-in & language programme allowance (if applicable)

A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (AGS)

Full tuition fees
Monthly sustenance allowance (with CPF, where applicable)
Book allowance
Computer allowance
Conference & thesis allowance
Up to 12 months overseas attachment support

A*STAR International Fellowship (AIF)

Monthly overseas living allowance
Monthly sustenance allowance (with CPF)
Annual return airfare
Settling-in allowance
Computer & conference allowance
Annual personal insurance

Benefits not included (common exclusions)

Even generous government scholarships often do not cover every personal cost, and each A*STAR scholarship has specific terms and conditions that can change over time. Common exclusions (or items that may be partially covered depending on the scheme) include:

Personal lifestyle spending (shopping, non-academic travel, entertainment).
Family/dependant costs (spouse/children), unless explicitly stated by your scholarship contract.
Optional upgrades (premium housing choices, premium health insurance add-ons).

Also important: many A*STAR scholarships come with service obligations/bonds after graduation or after fellowship completion, and candidates must read the bond terms carefully before accepting.

Eligibility criteria for Singapore Government Scholarships

National Science Scholarship (BS–PhD)

Singaporean or Singapore Permanent Resident (must become citizen)
Excellent pre-university academic results
Final-year student or mid-term undergraduate at a top overseas university
Strong interest and potential in science & research

National Science Scholarship (PhD)

Singaporean or SPR (must become citizen)
Good Honours Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
Final-year undergraduate or mid-term PhD student
Admission to a top overseas PhD programme
Strong research potential

A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (AGS)

Singaporean or Singapore Permanent Resident
At least a Second-Class (Upper) Honours degree or equivalent
Applying to or enrolled in a PhD at a Singaporean autonomous university
Strong academic and research potential

A*STAR International Fellowship (AIF)

Singaporean or SPR (exceptional foreigners may be considered)
PhD completed within the last 4 years (or near completion)
Strong publication record
Applying for or enrolled in overseas postdoctoral research

Required documents (typical checklist)

Document requirements differ by scholarship, but a strong scholarship-ready portfolio usually includes:

Passport/NRIC (as applicable) and personal particulars.
Academic transcripts and degree certificates (or latest available results).
CV (research CV for PhD/postdoc applicants).
Research statement/study plan/proposal (especially for research-focused scholarships).
Referee reports (academic referees are commonly required for research scholarships and fellowships).
Publications list (important for postdoctoral tracks).

Singapore Government Scholarships application process (step-by-step)

Because there are multiple ASTAR awards, the “right” process depends on your track—but the general roadmap below matches how ASTAR scholarships typically work in practice.

Pick the correct scholarship/fellowship track
Choose BS/BS-PhD, PhD (AGS/NSS), or postdoc (AIF) based on your current level and career goal.
Confirm eligibility and read official coverage
Open the official scholarship page and read the eligibility, coverage, and bond terms carefully before preparing documents.
Identify your host institution and research fit
For research tracks, align your interests with A*STAR institutes or partner universities and identify labs/groups that match your background.
Prepare documents and referees early
Referees often need time to submit letters, and many portals only treat your application as complete after references arrive.
Apply online via the official portal
Submit your application through the A*STAR scholarships portal for your chosen scheme.
Interview and selection
Shortlisted candidates may go through interviews and additional checks depending on the scheme.
Offer, acceptance, and onboarding
If selected, you’ll receive an offer outlining benefits and obligations (including service commitment/bond) and then proceed with university admission and administrative onboarding.

Tips for a successful application

A*STAR pathways are competitive because they are designed to produce future researchers and innovation leaders, not just degree holders.

High-impact tips:

Build a research narrative: connect your projects, internships, and coursework to a clear long-term research goal.
Show outcomes: highlight publications, posters, GitHub, prototypes, or measurable results (especially important for postdoc/fellowship).
Choose referees who can speak about your research maturity, not only your grades.
For AIF (Innovation), show evidence of innovation interest (startup exposure, translational projects, patents, product thinking).
Read bond terms early and explain why you’re committed to contributing to Singapore’s R&D ecosystem after training.

Monthly living expenses in Singapore (USD)

Singapore is a premium destination in Asia, and living costs depend heavily on housing choice (campus hostel vs shared room vs studio). Numbeo estimates monthly costs for a single person at $1,156.3 USD excluding rent, which is a useful baseline when planning.

A realistic student budget range (monthly, USD):

Shared room + simple lifestyle: $1,200–$2,000/month (rent is the biggest variable).
NUS MSI guidance suggests international students may spend about $1,500 per month, and recommends budgeting a minimum of S$19,500 per year for living expenses (about S$1,625/month).

Why choose A*STAR / Singapore Government Scholarships? (7 reasons)

Strong research career pipeline: A*STAR scholarships are designed to build long-term researchers and innovation talent, not just fund tuition.
Comprehensive PhD support: official coverage includes tuition and a monthly allowance plus multiple academic allowances (book, computer, conference, thesis).
Global exposure: some tracks support overseas attachments (PhD) and full overseas postdoctoral training (AIF).
World-class research ecosystem: A*STAR operates across multiple institutes and is embedded in Singapore’s national R&D system and partner institutions.
Clear track options across levels: pathways exist from undergraduate (NSS BS-PhD) through PhD (AGS/NSS) and postdoc (AIF).
Innovation pathway available: AIF’s Innovation track explicitly supports postdocs aiming at entrepreneurial and deep-tech startup environments.
Prestige and network: being selected signals strong research potential and connects you with mentors, institutes, and future opportunities in Singapore’s R&D ecosystem.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1) Are A*STAR scholarships fully funded?
A*STAR PhD scholarships like AGS list full tuition fees plus a monthly allowance and additional academic allowances, which is typically considered fully funded for study-related costs.

2) Can international students apply for Singapore Government scholarships (A*STAR)?
Some A*STAR-linked routes can be open to international candidates, but eligibility depends on the specific scheme; always confirm on the exact scholarship page before applying.

3) Is there a postdoctoral fellowship under A*STAR?
Yes—A*STAR International Fellowship (AIF) supports up to 2 years of overseas postdoctoral training and includes Research and Innovation tracks.

4) Does A*STAR offer support for undergraduate (Bachelor’s) students?
Yes—A*STAR lists scholarships/awards for undergraduate studies, and the National Science Scholarship (BS-PhD) includes undergraduate funding and research attachments.

5) Do A*STAR scholarships have a bond/service obligation?
Some A*STAR schemes (for example, NSS BS-PhD) explicitly mention a bond period, and AIF also includes a return-to-Singapore component, so applicants must read and accept the service commitment terms before signing.

6) What study areas are supported?
ASTAR scholarships are strongly centered on science, engineering, computing/AI, biomedical sciences, and innovation-aligned research areas, reflecting ASTAR’s institute focus and Singapore’s national R&D priorities.

7) What’s the biggest mistake applicants make?
Applying to the wrong track (or missing a scheme-specific deadline) is common, so the best strategy is to pick one clear pathway and follow the official page for that scheme’s timeline and requirements.

Deadline:

National Science Scholarship (BS–PhD)

Deadline: 1 December – 1 March
Duration: Up to 8 years

National Science Scholarship (PhD)

Deadline: 1 January – 1 April
Duration: Up to 6 years

A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (AGS)

Deadline: 2 August – 15 February
Duration: Up to 4 years

A*STAR International Fellowship (AIF)

Deadline: 1 July – 1 November
Duration: Up to 2 years

Singapore Government Scholarships 2026 in Singapore

Basic information (and deadlines)