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Embarking on a doctoral journey is a significant step, and the National University of Singapore (NUS), one of the world’s leading research institutions, offers exceptional opportunities to pursue a PhD with robust financial backing. The NUS PhD Scholarships for the 2026-27 academic year provide a gateway for outstanding international and domestic students to engage in cutting-edge research across a vast spectrum of specializations, including Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Computing, and more. These scholarships, primarily through the NUS Research Scholarship and prestigious external awards like the Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA), ensure comprehensive financial coverage typically including a full tuition fee subsidy for up to four years, along with a competitive monthly stipend to support living expenses. Additional benefits often include top-ups after passing the Qualifying Examination and support for research-related costs like conference travel, preparing scholars to contribute meaningfully to global knowledge creation.
In this blog, we provide an essential guide detailing the key scholarship schemes, application timelines, eligibility criteria, and crucial steps to secure your fully-funded PhD position at NUS, preparing you to join a vibrant, global research community.
This Blog Includes:
- Types of PhD Scholarships in National University of Singapore
- List of PhD Scholarships in National University of Singapore
- Details of Top PhD Scholarships in National University of Singapore
- Tips for a Successful PhD Scholarship Application at National University of Singapore
- Why Study at the National University of Singapore?
- FAQs
Types of PhD Scholarships in National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore (NUS) offers a variety of competitive PhD scholarships, primarily categorized into university-wide schemes and faculty/department-specific or specialized awards. These scholarships typically provide a full tuition fee subsidy and a monthly stipend for up to four years, subject to satisfactory academic and research performance.
| Category | Scholarship Name | Target Applicant/Focus | Primary Benefit |
| University-Wide (Main) | NUS Research Scholarship (NUS RS) | Outstanding full-time graduate research students (All Nationalities). | Full Tuition Fee Subsidy + Monthly Stipend (with post-QE top-up). |
| University-Wide (Prestigious) | President’s Graduate Fellowship (PGF) | Candidates with exceptional research promise (Nomination Only). | Higher Monthly Stipend + Full Tuition Fee Subsidy + Other Allowances. |
| Regional Focus | NUS ASEAN Research Scholarship | Outstanding graduate students from ASEAN countries (excluding Singapore). | Full Tuition Fee Subsidy + Monthly Stipend. |
| Specialized/External | A*STAR Graduate Scholarships | Research in Science & Technology fields, in collaboration with A*STAR. | Comprehensive Funding (Tuition + Stipend + Allowances) with an A*STAR link. |
| Specialized/External | NUS Industry-Relevant PhD Scholarship (NUS-IRP) | Research projects with high industry relevance. | Comprehensive Funding + Collaboration opportunities with industry. |
| Specialized/External | Commonwealth Scholarship | Nationals of Commonwealth Countries (excluding Singapore Citizens/PRs). | Full Tuition Fee Subsidy + Monthly Stipend. |
| Faculty/School Specific | Dean’s PhD Fellowships (e.g., FASS, Faculty of Science) | Top applicants within a specific faculty or school. | May offer higher stipends and specialized research support. |
List of PhD Scholarships in National University of Singapore
A full-time PhD at the National University of Singapore (NUS) is typically supported by several key scholarships, the most common being the NUS Research Scholarship and the highly competitive President’s Graduate Fellowship.
Here is a list of the main NUS PhD scholarships, detailing their coverage and general eligibility:
| Scholarship Name | Coverage/Benefits | Eligibility |
| NUS Research Scholarship (NUS RS) | Full Tuition Fee Subsidy for 4 years (up to maximum candidature). | Outstanding Graduates with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) or equivalent. |
| Monthly Stipend (for international students): – S$2,700 (before passing PhD Qualifying Exam – PQE) – Up to S$3,200 (after passing PQE) | Open to all nationalities. | |
| President’s Graduate Fellowship (PGF) | Full Tuition Fee Subsidy for 4 years. | Candidates who show exceptional promise or accomplishment in research. |
| Higher Monthly Stipend (for international students): – S$3,400 (varies based on nationality). | Open to all nationalities. Must be a full-time PhD candidate at NUS. | |
| Commonwealth Scholarship | Full Tuition Fee Subsidy for 4 years. | Nationals of Commonwealth countries (excluding Singapore Citizens/PRs). |
| A*STAR Graduate Scholarship | Full Tuition Fee Subsidy for 4 years. | Strong academic background, typically focused on Science & Technology fields. |
| Competitive Stipend and Allowances (can be up to S$6,000 monthly for specific, highly competitive scholarships like AI Singapore). | Open to all nationalities (check specific scholarship terms). |
Details of Top PhD Scholarships in National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore (NUS) offers a number of competitive scholarships for outstanding full-time PhD candidates. The two primary, highly sought-after scholarships are the NUS Research Scholarship and the President’s Graduate Fellowship (PGF), both providing comprehensive financial support.
NUS Research Scholarship
The NUS Research Scholarship is the most common and main funding scheme for full-time PhD candidates, providing a full tuition fee subsidy for up to four years and a monthly stipend to cover living expenses. The minimum eligibility typically requires applicants to be university graduates with at least a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) or equivalent, and to have been offered or assured of admission to a full-time PhD program at NUS. The monthly stipend for International Students currently starts at approximately SGD $2,700 before passing the PhD Qualifying Examination (PQE), and increases to around SGD $3,200 per month after successfully passing the PQE. Singapore citizens who are recipients of this scholarship also receive Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions on top of a higher stipend. Recipients are generally required to fulfil duties under the Graduate Assistantship Programme (GAP), such as teaching or laboratory supervision, during the tenure of the scholarship.
| Benefits | Monthly Stipend (varies by candidature and nationality) plus Full Tuition Fee Subsidy. |
| Coverage | Tuition fees and a monthly stipend for living expenses. Additional top-up (up to S$500/month) is possible for PhD students upon passing the Qualifying Exam, subject to good performance. |
| Eligibility | – Must have a bachelor’s degree with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) / Honours (Distinction) or equivalent. – Must have been offered admission to a full-time graduate research program (Master’s by Research or PhD) at NUS. |
| Application Process | – No separate scholarship application is needed. – Indicate interest in the scholarship in the ‘Source of Finance’ field during the online application for admission to the graduate research program. |
| Deadline | Aligns with the graduate program admission deadlines (e.g., typically December 31 for August intake and June 30 for January intake). |
President’s Graduate Fellowship (PGF)
The President’s Graduate Fellowship (PGF) is a more prestigious and highly selective award given to PhD candidates who demonstrate exceptional promise or accomplishment in research, and is awarded by nomination only by the relevant NUS faculty or department to the most outstanding applicants. It is open to all nationalities and provides a full tuition fee subsidy for up to four years, along with a significantly higher monthly stipend, which for International Students is currently around SGD $3,400. Beyond the stipend and tuition coverage, the PGF also provides a one-time air travel allowance (up to S750)anda∗∗settling−inallowance∗∗(S1,000) for overseas students, and recipients are eligible for the NUS Graduate School Research Incentive Award, which includes an additional monthly allowance and a one-time research allowance upon passing the PQE. This fellowship is targeted at recruiting the highest calibre of researchers to the university.
| Benefits | Higher Monthly Stipend (varies by nationality), Full Tuition Fee Coverage, One-off Air Travel Allowance (for international students), One-off Settling-in Allowance (for international students), and an Additional Monthly Allowance. |
| Coverage | Full Tuition fees, an enhanced monthly stipend, one-off air travel allowance (up to S$750), one-off **settling-in allowance** (S$1,000 for international students). Maximum tenure is 4 years. |
| Eligibility | – Must show exceptional promise or accomplishment in research. – Must be admitted as a full-time PhD candidate at NUS. – Open to all nationalities. |
| Application Process | – The PGF is by nomination only. – Candidates are selected by the University based on their application for admission to the PhD program; no direct application is required. |
| Deadline | Aligns with the graduate program admission deadlines (you must apply by the PhD admission deadline to be considered for nomination). |
Tips for a Successful PhD Scholarship Application at National University of Singapore
A successful PhD scholarship application at the National University of Singapore (NUS) requires a strong academic record, a clear research fit, and a well-articulated personal and research vision. Since scholarships like the NUS Research Scholarship are highly competitive, you need to stand out as a top-tier candidate.
Here are the essential tips for a successful application:
- Academic Excellence: Achieve a high GPA/First Class Honours or its equivalent. Top grades are the non-negotiable foundation.
- Demonstrate Research Acumen: Showcase significant prior research (Master’s thesis, strong final-year project, or publications).
- Proactive Supervisor Contact: Identify and email a potential supervisor at NUS before applying to secure their interest and support.
- Tailored Research Proposal: Submit a clear, original, and feasible research proposal that aligns with the faculty’s expertise.
- Articulate Program Fit (SOP): In your Statement of Purpose (SOP), clearly explain why NUS (specific faculty, labs, and resources) is necessary for your work.
- Strong Standardized Scores: Get excellent scores on the GRE/GMAT (if required or recommended) and IELTS/TOEFL.
- Quality Letters of Recommendation (LORs): Obtain detailed and enthusiastic LORs from professors who know your research potential well.
- Define Career Vision: Clearly link the PhD to your long-term professional goals in your application essays.
- Meet All Minimum Criteria: Ensure you satisfy all the published eligibility requirements for both the program and the scholarship.
- Submit in Round 1: Apply as early as possible, typically in the first application round, to get priority consideration for the limited scholarship awards.
Why Study at the National University of Singapore?
Studying at the National University of Singapore (NUS) offers a compelling combination of elite global standing, cutting-edge research opportunities, and a vibrant Asian hub experience.
Here are the important reasons why students choose NUS:
- Consistently ranked among the Top 10-25 universities worldwide and often #1 in Asia.
- Access to cutting-edge research and highly cited faculty across numerous fields.
- NUS degrees are highly valued globally, leading to excellent career prospects.
- Situated in Singapore, a safe, modern, and dynamic economic hub in Asia.
- Emphasis on multi-disciplinary education and collaboration across faculties.
- Strong links with over 300 top universities for exchange and joint programmes.
- Access to entrepreneurial programmes like NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC).
- A truly international environment with students from over 100 countries.
- Competitive PhD scholarships (like the NUS Research Scholarship) and financial aid are available.
- Offers a global education while maintaining a strong focus on Asian perspectives and expertise.
FAQs
PhD scholarships in Singapore are primarily secured by demonstrating outstanding academic performance (high GPA/Honours) and strong research potential (publications/thesis). You should apply early to the research-based PhD program and automatically be considered for major scholarships like the NUS Research Scholarship or SINGA, often requiring a strong GRE/IELTS score and a compelling research proposal.
Yes, a PhD at NUS is generally fully funded for successful applicants, especially those admitted as research candidates. The most common scholarship, the NUS Research Scholarship (NUS-RS), provides coverage of tuition fees plus a monthly stipend to cover living expenses for the entire duration of the PhD candidature. Many PhD students at NUS, including international students, receive this full funding.
Achieving PhD admission at NUS requires outstanding academic performance (First Class Honours/high GPA), securing the support of a potential faculty supervisor before applying, and submitting a strong, original research proposal alongside excellent GRE/IELTS scores and high-quality letters of recommendation.
Relatable Reads
This was everything you needed to know about the NUS PhD Scholarships 2026-27, what they offer, who is eligible, the deadlines, selection process, and how to apply. If you’re a research-driven student aiming to. For more such updates on fully funded global scholarships, check the Scholarships Page on Leverage Edu and stay one step ahead in your study abroad journey.
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