The NUS Research Scholarship 2025–2026 is a prestigious, fully funded program offered by the National University of Singapore (NUS), one of Asia’s top-ranked universities. This scholarship is designed to attract talented students from Singapore and around the world who wish to pursue Master’s by Research or PhD programs at NUS. With full tuition coverage and a generous monthly stipend, the scholarship enables students to dedicate themselves to high-quality research in a world-class academic environment.

Beyond financial support, the NUS Research Scholarship offers access to cutting-edge facilities, expert supervision, and a vibrant research community. Scholars benefit from Singapore’s position as a global hub for innovation, technology, and education, making NUS an ideal destination for those aiming to build strong academic and professional careers. This program not only supports individual growth but also prepares graduates to contribute to global research and development.

Scholarship Summary

Level of Study: Master’s by Research, PhD
Institution: National University of Singapore (NUS)
Location: Singapore
Coverage: Full tuition + monthly stipend (SGD 2,600 for Master’s / SGD 2,700–2,800 for PhD) + PhD top-up (SGD 500)
Duration: 2 years (Master’s), 4 years (PhD)
Eligibility: International & domestic students with strong academic backgrounds
Application Mode: Online via NUS Graduate Admissions Portal

Scholarship Benefits

The NUS Research Scholarship is a fully funded program that provides the following benefits:

Full Tuition Fees – covers the entire tuition cost for Master’s and PhD students.
Monthly Stipend:
- Master’s by Research: SGD 2,600 per month
- PhD: SGD 2,700–2,800 per month
PhD Top-Up Allowance – additional SGD 500 per month after passing the PhD Qualifying Exam.
Duration:
- Up to 2 years for Master’s programs
- Up to 4 years for PhD programs
Renewal – awarded for one year at first, renewable each semester subject to satisfactory performance.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the NUS Research Scholarship, applicants must:

Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree with Honours (Second Class Upper or equivalent).
Gain admission to a full-time graduate research program at NUS.
Be eligible for the Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) subsidy on tuition fees.
Demonstrate excellent academic results, research potential, and strong commitment to graduate studies.
Maintain satisfactory academic progress to continue receiving the scholarship.

How to Apply for NUS Research Scholarship 2025-2026

Applying for this scholarship is straightforward. Follow these steps:

Select a Program – Choose a Master’s by Research or PhD program at NUS.
Prepare Your Documents – Required documents include academic transcripts, certificates, CV, research proposal (for PhD), recommendation letters, and English proficiency proof (if applicable).
Submit Online Application – Apply via the NUS Graduate Admissions Portal and indicate your interest in the Research Scholarship in the application form (no separate form is needed).
Department Review – Applications will be evaluated by the respective department based on academic merit and research potential.
Notification – Shortlisted candidates will be informed via email about the award.

Website

Apply directly here: NUS Research Scholarship Application

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Am I eligible to apply?

Must hold, or be on track to obtain, a Honours (Highest Distinction) or equivalent at the bachelor’s level. Open to all nationalities, with preference given to Singapore citizens and permanent residents. Applicants should apply for a PhD programme only—Master’s students are not eligible

What is the Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship (NPGS)?

NPGS is NTU’s most prestigious PhD scholarship. It is awarded by the University President to exceptional graduates or final-year students who demonstrate outstanding academic excellence, research potential, and leadership qualities. It supports full-time doctoral study at NTU Singapore.

Am I eligible to apply?

Must hold, or be on track to obtain, a Honours (Highest Distinction) or equivalent at the bachelor’s level.
Open to all nationalities, with preference given to Singapore citizens and permanent residents.
Applicants should apply for a PhD programme only—Master’s students are not eligible

When is the application period for Academic Year 2025–2026?

NTU general application opens 1 June 2025 and closes 31 July 2025 for the January 2026 intake.
For NIE (National Institute of Education) PhD applicants: 5 May–24 July 2025.

What documents are required in the application?

Typical supporting documents include:

Academic transcripts and degree certificate (or proof of pending distinction).
Resume/CV.
Research proposal (if applicable).
Two academic recommendation letters.
Test scores (IELTS/TOEFL; GRE/GMAT/GATE for non‑Singapore autonomous university graduates).
Passport/ID and recent passport‑size photo

Is English or GRE/GMAT required?

If your prior education was not conducted in English, TOEFL or IELTS (e.g., IELTS 6.5) is required.
GRE/GMAT (or GATE for Indian applicants) is required unless you graduated from a Singapore autonomous university such as NTU, NUS, SMU, SUTD, SIT, or SUSS.

Do I need a supervisor before applying?

It is highly recommended to contact a potential supervisor before applying. If you haven’t secured one, the School may assign a supervisor based on your research interests

What does the scholarship cover?

NPGS provides:

Full tuition fee waiver.
Monthly stipend for up to 4 years:
- CIS disciplines: up to S$6,700 (S‑citizens), S$6,300 (international).
- SSH disciplines: around S$4,400 (S‑citizens), lower for non‑CIS.
Conference allowance: up to S$4,000 per financial year.
Book allowance: S$500/year.
IT allowance: one-time S$1,500.
Thesis allowance: one-time S$600 in final year.
Priority for subsidised on‑campus housing.
Singapore Citizens also receive CPF contributions on top of the monthly stipend

Is there a scholarship bond or service obligation?

No bond is attached. You may be required to perform Graduate Assistantship Programme duties (e.g., teaching or lab supervision) if you’re a non‑Singapore international student; for citizens/PR, GAP participation depends on the school’s discretion—but not mandatory.

When and how are results announced?

Results are typically released 3–6 weeks after final university-level interviews. Successful applicants receive an official NPGS award letter (physical certificates are not issued) via email, alongside the PhD admission offer

Can I renew the scholarship beyond the first year?

Yes, the initial award is for one year. It is renewable annually, subject to good academic and research progress, up to a maximum of four years, depending on school-level funding support.