The Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) is a bond- free award offered by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in collaboration with the top universities in Singapore. It is offered to talented international students with a strong interest in research leading to a PhD or an EngD in Science and Engineering at any of the five universities- NTU (Nanyang Technological University), NUS (National University of Singapore), SUTD (Singapore University of Technology and Design), SMU (Singapore Management University) or SIT (Singapore Institute of Technology). Get an outline of the SINGA award here:
| Aspects | Details |
| Offered by | A*STAR |
| Type of Award | Merit Based |
| Level of Study | PhD or EngD |
| Subjects/ Fields | Biomedical Sciences, Computing & Information Sciences, Engineering & Technology & Physical Sciences |
| Deadline | 1st June, 2025 (For Jan, 26 intake) |
| Website | https://www.a-star.edu.sg/Scholarships/for-graduate-studies/singapore-international-graduate-award-singa |
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How much is the stipend for SINGA scholarship?
The SINGA Scholarship offers the following to students:
- Full tuition coverage
- Stipend of SGD 2,700 per month which is significantly increasing to SGD 3,200 after passing the PhD qualifying examination
- Up to SGD 1,500 one- time airfare grant
- SGD 1,000 one- time as a settling- in allowance
The SINGA scholarships are offered for up to 4 years of PhD and the stipend amount may vary for upcoming years depending on the revisions done by A*STAR.
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Who is eligible for Singapore International Graduate Award
The Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) lays the following requirements for students:
- International students who have not studied in Singapore before
- Should not be a citizen or permanent resident in Singapore
- Have a passion for research in Science and Engineering
- Showcase excellent academic qualifications; a GPA of at least 3.0 or higher
- Have good written and spoken English skills
- Possess good reports from academic referees
- GRE/ SAT1 &2/ GATE results (if available)
Explore: Singapore Student Visa Guide for International Students.
Documents Required
- Passport
- Bachelors & Masters Academic Transcripts
- Degree Certificate/ Scroll (translated in English) or a letter of certification on your candidature from University
- Photographs
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
How to Apply for The SINGA Scholarship
- Visit the A*STAR website and go to ‘Graduate Studies’- SINGA Scholarship or click here.
- Click on ‘Research Areas’ and find out your choice of course.
- Now click on ‘Apply Now.’
- The system will redirect you to the login page.
- Now, if you have an account, login using your email and password and you’ll be redirected to the Applicants Home Page. If not, complete the registration and then login.
- You’ll see a bunch of scholarships, Click on A*STAR Graduate Award and start applying.
- Fill in all the details correctly, upload the documents mentioned and submit.
- Now logout of the page and return. That’s it, your application is done. Now wait for the response. You’ll be notified withing 12 weeks after the deadline.
**Don’t forget that you’ll be required to indicate your choices of supervisor in the application form, so do your complete research on that.
Also read: Study in Singapore without IELTS.
Important Timelines for SINGA
The Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) is currently open accepting applications for the January 2026 intake. The applications started on 2nd December, 2024 and will continue till 1st June, 2025. Start your applications ASAP and give ample time to your referees to have an increased chance of success. But, if you think you are not eligible currently for this scholarship, note down the following dates for the next intake.
| Intakes | Application Starts | Deadline |
| January Intake | December 2nd | June 1st |
| August Intake | June 2nd | December 1st |
These deadline remain constant for the SINGA scholarship. However, if there are any changes, we’ll update you with the latest ones.
Checkout other Scholarships in Singapore for International Students.
Selection Process and Criteria
After submitting the SINGA application form, the selection process involves the following steps:
- Preliminary Review: Applications are screened for completeness and eligibility. Academic records, recommendation reports, and supporting documents are assessed.
- Shortlisting: Based on academic performance, research potential, and alignment with available projects, shortlisted candidates are notified for further assessment.
- Interview Stage: Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an online interview with the selection panel, where research interest, skills, and motivation are evaluated.
- Final Selection: The interview performance, academic credentials, and recommendation reports are reviewed collectively to finalize the list of selected candidates.
- Offer Notification: Successful candidates receive official offer letters. This typically occurs within 12 weeks after the application deadline.
- Acceptance and Visa Process: Once the offer is accepted, candidates begin their visa application and pre-departure preparations for Singapore.
How to Get Singapore International Graduate Award?
Around 30,000 applications are received every year for the SINGA scholarship from over 170 countries. It is a tough competition, but you can follow some steps to increase your chances of selection.
- Before filling the application form, make sure you check the additional eligibility requirements set by the university (if any) alongside A*STAR.
- Amendments are not allowed in the form once you submit, so make sure to double check all the details before hitting submit.
- Try to fill your application form as early as possible, giving ample time to your referees to submit the online recommendation on time.
- After you submit your application, your selected referees will receive an email asking them to finish the online recommendation within 7 days. Keep a check on that.
- Highlight coursework and projects relevant to your research area. Showcase any prior research work, internships, or publications.
FAQs
Yes, SINGA Scholarship is only for PhD or EngD students.
Yes, it is necessary to submit a research proposal for your SINGA application along with an elaborated explanation.
You can apply for up to three research projects during your application. Besides, you also need to mention the institutes where the supervisors are based,