A*STAR SINGA Scholarship 2027: A Fully Funded PhD in Singapore for International Students
- Country
- Singapore
- Level
- PhD, Research
- Funding
- Fully funded
Singapore has quietly become one of the best places in the world to do a doctorate: a compact, safe, English-speaking research hub with world-class labs and deep funding for science and engineering. The award that opens the door for international students is the Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA), run by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) together with Singapore's leading universities. It's fully funded, it's open to applicants of any nationality, and, unusually for a scholarship this generous, it comes with no bond, so you're free to go wherever your career takes you afterwards.
This guide covers what SINGA pays for, who can apply, the two deadlines you need to plan around, and how to give yourself the best shot. All figures below are drawn from A*STAR's official information.
At a glance
- Award: Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)
- Run by: A*STAR, with NUS, NTU, SUTD, SMU and SIT
- Level: PhD (some EngD), up to 4 years
- Who it's for: International students of any nationality
- Funding: Full tuition + monthly stipend + airfare + settling-in allowance
- Bond: None
- Deadlines: ~1 June (January intake) and ~1 December (August intake)
What SINGA covers
SINGA is genuinely comprehensive: this is one case where "fully funded" is accurate. Successful scholars receive:
- Full tuition fees for up to four years of PhD study
- A monthly stipend of S$2,700, which rises to S$3,200 once you pass the qualifying examination (typically 12–18 months in)
- A one-time airfare grant of up to S$1,500 to get you to Singapore
- A one-time settling-in allowance of S$1,000 to help with initial costs
With a typical student cost of living in Singapore of roughly S$1,400 to S$2,000 a month, the stipend is designed to let you live comfortably while you focus on research.
Where you'll study
SINGA is a joint effort between A*STAR's research institutes and five universities: the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Singapore Management University (SMU) and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). Your degree is awarded by the university you're enrolled at, while much of your research may be carried out in collaboration with A*STAR institutes.
Research areas span Biomedical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Engineering, and Computing and Information Sciences. Importantly, SINGA is project-based: rather than applying to a general programme, you choose from a list of specific research projects, each attached to a supervisor and institute. Picking projects that genuinely fit your background is one of the biggest factors in a successful application.
Who can apply
- Open to international students of all nationalities
- A bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required; a master's is welcome but not mandatory
- A strong academic record and a clear passion for research
- Good written and spoken English (IELTS/TOEFL not required at application, though the university may request it later)
- Two academic referee reports, submitted online by your referees
- A valid passport
There's no age limit, and prior research experience helps but isn't essential.
How to apply
- Browse the research projects and shortlist those that match your background and interests (you can usually select more than one).
- Prepare your documents: transcripts, degree certificates, a motivation letter or personal statement, and a passport-quality photo. Translate anything not in English.
- Register on the official A*STAR applicant portal and complete the online form carefully.
- Invite your referees early so they receive the system link and submit their reports before the deadline. Incomplete referee reports are a common reason applications fail.
- Review and submit well before the closing time.
Only shortlisted candidates are contacted, usually within about 12 weeks of the deadline, and may be invited to a video interview.
Deadlines
This is where a lot of blogs get it wrong, so plan carefully: SINGA runs two intakes a year. The application deadline is generally 1 June for the January intake and 1 December for the August intake, both at 23:59 GMT+8. Dates can shift year to year, so always confirm the current window on the official A*STAR page before you rely on them.
Frequently asked questions
Is SINGA fully funded?
Yes. It covers full tuition for up to four years, a monthly stipend of S$2,700 (rising to S$3,200 after the qualifying exam), an airfare grant of up to S$1,500, and a S$1,000 settling-in allowance.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
Not at the application stage, though strong English is expected. Your host university may request a test score during admission.
Is there a bond?
No. SINGA is bond-free: there's no obligation to stay in or work for Singapore after your PhD.
When is the deadline?
Around 1 June for the January intake and 1 December for the August intake. Confirm the exact dates officially.
Apply and confirm the details
Check the current projects, deadlines and eligibility, and start your application, on the official pages: SINGA, official A*STAR page and the A*STAR applicant portal.
Keep exploring: see all our fully funded scholarships, check current research internships, or read how we verify every listing.
Disclaimer: FoundScholar is an independent information platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by A*STAR or the universities named. Details change between cycles, so always confirm on the official source before applying.