The Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) is a merit-based scholarship that attracts outstanding international students with exceptional academic records to pursue their PhD in Singapore. The program is fully-funded and offers a unique opportunity for graduates to pursue their PhD in the field of science and technology at some of the world’s most advanced institutions in Singapore. The award is a full-time research scholarship, which provides fellows with top-class supervisors and peers to help them excel in their research work and fields.
SINGA aims to attract students from diverse backgrounds to Singapore and to help the country become a talent hub. The program serves as a link between talented minds from around the world and Singapore. Students from various countries can pursue their doctoral studies at universities such as Nanyang Technological University, the National University of Singapore, Singapore Management University, and the Singapore University of Technology. This is because the Singapore International Graduate Award is a collaboration of these universities and the Agency for Science.
The scholarship fellows will conduct their research in the state-of-the-art labs of A*STAR Research Institutes in Singapore. They will also learn to coexist in a multicultural and diverse environment while studying with students and mentors of different nationalities. In addition, the fellowship provides a unique opportunity for the fellows to gain practical experience in how a small country like Singapore can become economically and socially empowered. During their four-year stay, the fellows will have the chance to explore Singapore’s economic, educational, cultural, social, and political aspects, making it a gateway to some of the emerging economies in the Asia Pacific region.
The Singapore International Graduate Award is a unique program in that it allows students to pursue a PhD directly after completing their bachelor’s program. Additionally, students who have completed their master’s program can also apply, with some exemptions from courses that are required for those who have completed their bachelor’s degree. SINGA offers a hassle-free application process for students looking to connect with talent from all over the world and inspire collaborations.
The program’s mission of collaboration is evident in the fact that SINGA fellows receive their degree completion certificates from one of the collaborative universities: NTU, NUS, SUTD, or SMU. The award provides international fellows with a wealth of useful experiences that they can use as a tool for change in their respective countries.
Research Areas for the Singapore International Graduate Award 2023-2024 (SINGA):
Research areas under the PhD program fall broadly into four categories.
These are:
- Biomedical Sciences (BMS)
- Computing and Information Sciences (CIS)
- Engineering and Technology (E&T)
- Physical Sciences (PS)
Summary of the Singapore International Graduate Award 2023-2024 (SINGA):
Awarding Country:
- Singapore
Host Labs:
- A*STAR Research Institutes, NTU, NUS, or SUTD.
Offering agency:
- The scholarship is offered by the Agency for Science, Technology, Research, Singapore.
Level of Study:
- PhD
Propram Duration:
- 4 Years.
What are the Benefits of the Singapore International Graduate Award 2023-2024 (SINGA):
The SINGA Award 2023-2024 provides a range of benefits for the awardees. Firstly, the program fully covers the tuition fees of the fellows. In addition to this, the awardees will receive a monthly stipend of S$ 2,000, which will be increased to S$ 2,500 after qualifying for the first examination. To assist with travel expenses, the fellows will receive a one-time airfare grant of up to S$ 1,500. Furthermore, the program provides a one-time settlement grant of S$ 1,000 to help fellows adjust to their new environment. Lastly, the settling-in allowance will be provided for up to S$ 1,000, which is intended to help cover initial living costs.
In short the benefits of Singapore International Graduate Award 2023-2024 (SINGA) includes:
- SINGA Award 2023-2024 covers full tuition fees
- Fellows receive a monthly stipend of S$ 2,000, which increases to S$ 2,500 after the first examination
- A one-time airfare grant of up to S$ 1,500 is provided
- A one-time settlement grant of S$ 1,000 is provided
- A settling-in allowance of up to S$ 1,000 is provided to cover initial living costs.
Check The Australian Research Training Program (RTP)
What is the Eligibility Criteria of Singapore International Graduate Award 2023:
The eligibility criteria for the Singapore International Graduate Award 2023 require that applicants must be international students who have completed a bachelor’s degree with excellent academic results and be proficient in English, although there is no specific English Language Proficiency certificate required, as it will be assessed during the interview. However, some individual universities may require a certificate. Singaporean nationals or those who have completed tertiary education in Singapore cannot apply, and applicants must want to pursue a Ph.D. in science and engineering. Master’s degree applicants are not eligible, and PhD courses in social sciences, humanities, economics, etc. are not eligible for the award.
Summary of the Eligibility Criteria of Singapore International Graduate Award:
- Applicants must be international students who have completed a bachelor’s degree with excellent academic results.
- Applicants must be proficient in English, although there is no specific English Language Proficiency certificate required, as it will be assessed during the interview. However, some individual universities may require a certificate.
- Singaporean nationals or those who have completed tertiary education in Singapore cannot apply.
- Applicants must want to pursue a Ph.D. in science and engineering; Master’s degree applicants are not eligible.
- PhD courses in social sciences, humanities, economics, etc. are not eligible for the award.
What are the steps to Apply for Singapore International Graduate Award 2023?
To apply for the SINGA program, candidates must submit all necessary documents online and select their research projects by browsing the available options on the “Go to Research Areas” section. Referees must send reference letters directly to SINGA, and the application process begins once at least two reference letters are received. Required documents must be uploaded in soft copy format to the online application. Applicants applying through the SINGA portal do not need to apply separately on university portals. It is recommended that candidates submit their applications at least two weeks before the deadline, as referees have seven days to complete and send reference letters once they receive the email. Candidates can submit up to three research proposals and must elaborate on their proposals in the application form. There is no need to contact a supervisor before applying, and candidates can apply in any field of interest for their PhD without having to follow their bachelor’s degree major.
It is important to note that English language proficiency does not require a specific certificate, but may be assessed during the interview process. Additionally, Singaporean nationals or candidates who have already completed tertiary education in Singapore are not eligible to apply. Candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree with excellent academic results and be proficient in the English language. PhD courses in social sciences, humanities, and economics are not eligible for the SINGA program, as it only covers PhD programs in science and engineering.
Summary of the steps to Apply for Singapore International Graduate Award 2023.
- All necessary documents must be submitted online.
- Research projects must be selected by browsing the projects from “Go to Research Areas”.
- Referees must send reference letters directly to SINGA.
- Application process begins once at least two reference letters are received by SINGA.
- Soft copies of required documents must be uploaded to the online application.
- Applicants who apply through the SINGA portal do not need to apply on university portals separately.
- Submit the application at least two weeks before the deadline to allow referees enough time to complete and send reference letters.
- Research proposals must be elaborated in the application forms.
- Up to three research proposals can be submitted by one candidate.
- No need to contact the supervisor before applying for SINGA.
- Candidates can apply for a PhD in any field of interest and are not required to follow their bachelor’s major.
What are the Required Documents for Singapore International Graduate Award:
The applicant needs to submit a copy of a valid passport and a recent passport-size photo in JPG or PNG format. All academic transcripts should be translated into the English language, and 2 recommendation letters will be submitted by the referees online. An English proficiency certificate will also be required if requested by the university.
- Valid passport copy
- Recent passport-size photo in JPG or PNG format
- Academic transcripts translated into English
- 2 online recommendation letters from referees
- English proficiency certificate if required by the university.
What is the Submission deadline for January 2024 intake for Singapore International Graduate Award:
1 June 2023 (2359hrs GMT +8 Singapore Time)