The Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) is a collaboration between Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU), and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). It funds international students to pursue a PhD in science and engineering in Singapore. The award is fully funded for up to four years: it covers full tuition, a monthly stipend of SGD 2,700 (rising to SGD 3,200 after the qualifying examination), a one-time airfare grant of up to SGD 1,500, and a one-time settling-in allowance of SGD 1,000. PhD research is hosted across the partner universities and A*STAR research institutes. There are typically two intakes each year (January and August), with application deadlines around June and December respectively. SINGA is research-intensive and competitive, aimed at students who want to work with leading scientists in well-funded laboratories.
Apply through the central SINGA online application for your chosen intake, indicating research areas and potential supervisors across the partner institutions.
Two intakes per year (January and August) with deadlines around ~June and ~December. You apply through the central SINGA application and indicate research interests/supervisors.
Any country (non-Singaporean students)
SINGA selection weighs academic excellence, research aptitude, the quality of references, and fit with available supervisors and research areas across the partner universities and A*STAR institutes. Strong candidates may be matched with a supervisor and interviewed before an offer is made.
The Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) is administered by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in partnership with Singapore's leading universities — NUS, NTU, SMU, and SUTD. It supports international PhD students conducting science and engineering research in Singapore's well-funded, research-intensive environment.
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
A fully-funded PhD award in science and engineering, jointly offered by A*STAR, NUS, NTU, SMU, and SUTD, for international students to do doctoral research in Singapore.
International students with a strong bachelor's or master's in science or engineering, good grades, research aptitude, strong references, and English proficiency.
Full tuition for up to four years, a monthly stipend of SGD 2,700 (SGD 3,200 after the qualifying exam), a one-time airfare grant up to SGD 1,500, and a SGD 1,000 settling-in allowance.
PhD study only — SINGA is a doctoral research award. It does not fund undergraduate or standalone master's study.
There are two intakes — January and August — with deadlines around ~December and ~June respectively. Confirm the exact dates on the SINGA website.
Through the central SINGA online application for your chosen intake, indicating research interests and potential supervisors across the partner universities and A*STAR institutes.
NUS, NTU, SMU, or SUTD, with research often connected to A*STAR research institutes, depending on your field and supervisor.
Up to four years. The monthly stipend starts at SGD 2,700 and rises to SGD 3,200 once you pass your PhD qualifying examination.
It helps to identify research areas and potential supervisors, and shortlisted applicants may be matched and interviewed, but you apply centrally through SINGA rather than directly to one supervisor.
Competitive — it draws strong international applicants for funded research places. Academic merit, research ability, and supervisor fit are decisive.
Not necessarily — strong bachelor's (often honours) graduates can apply directly for the PhD, as can master's holders. A strong research record helps either way.
Yes, where your previous education was not in English — typically TOEFL or IELTS at the required level. PhD research and coursework in Singapore are in English.