Apply for the NUS Research Scholarship in Singapore. Get a full tuition fee waiver, monthly stipend, research funding, eligibility details, benefits, deadlines, and application process.
Have you ever wondered how some international students earn a generous monthly stipend, receive a full tuition fee waiver, and study at one of Asia’s highest-ranked universities without worrying about financial burdens? The NUS Research Scholarship is one of Singapore’s most prestigious graduate funding opportunities, supporting outstanding researchers pursuing Master’s by Research and PhD degrees at the National University of Singapore (NUS). If you want to build a global research career, publish impactful research, and study in a world-class academic environment, this scholarship deserves your attention.
Overview of NUS Research Scholarship
The NUS Research Scholarship is awarded by the NUS Graduate School to outstanding graduate students undertaking research-based Master’s and PhD programs at the National University of Singapore. The scholarship aims to attract high-achieving local and international students with strong academic backgrounds and research potential.
The award provides a full tuition fee waiver and a competitive monthly stipend, enabling scholars to focus entirely on research and academic excellence.
NUS Research Scholarship Program Details
- Host Organization: NUS Graduate School (NUSGS)
- Study Destination: Singapore
- Funded By: National University of Singapore (NUS)
- Application Portal Link: Official Link
- Degree Level: Master’s (Research) and PhD
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Number of Scholarships: Not Specified
- Maximum Funding: Full Tuition Fee Waiver + Monthly Stipend up to SGD 4,300 per month
- Study Level: Postgraduate Research
- Duration: Up to 2 Years (Master’s Research) and Up to 4 Years (PhD)
- Application Deadline: Varies by Faculty and Graduate Program
- Program Start: January Intake (Semester 2) and August Intake (Semester 1)
Eligibility Criteria for NUS Research Scholarship
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Open to Singapore Citizens
- Open to Singapore Permanent Residents
- Open to International Students from all countries
- Must apply for a research-based Master’s or PhD program at NUS
- Must possess a strong academic record
- Undergraduate degree with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division), Honours (Distinction), or equivalent qualification
- Demonstrate strong research potential
- Have good character and academic integrity
- Meet faculty-specific admission requirements
- Meet English language requirements where applicable
Eligible Study Fields and Research Programs at National University of Singapore
The NUS Research Scholarship is available across nearly all research-based graduate programs offered by NUS.
Engineering and Technology Programs
- Artificial Intelligence
- Data Science
- Computer Science
- Cybersecurity
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Robotics
- Materials Science
- Environmental Engineering
Science and Health Research Programs
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Life Sciences
- Biomedical Sciences
- Pharmacy
- Public Health
- Medical Sciences
- Clinical Research
Business, Economics and Analytics Programs
- Economics
- Finance
- Business Analytics
- Management
- Accounting
- Marketing
Humanities and Social Sciences Programs
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Political Science
- Communications
- Linguistics
- Geography
- History
- Philosophy
- Public Policy
Interdisciplinary Research Programs
- Sustainability Studies
- Climate Change Research
- Urban Development
- Smart Nation Technologies
- Digital Transformation Research
Application Requirements for NUS Research Scholarship
Applicants should prepare:
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Master’s degree certificate (if applicable)
- Academic transcripts
- Statement of Purpose
- Research Interest Statement
- Updated CV or Resume
- Two or more recommendation letters
- Passport copy
- English proficiency test results (if applicable)
- GRE scores (optional but highly recommended)
- Publications and conference papers (if available)
- Awards and achievements certificates
- Professional experience documents (if applicable)
Language Requirements for NUS Research Scholarship
Applicants whose previous education was not conducted in English may need to demonstrate English proficiency through recognized tests.
Accepted tests generally include:
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- Other NUS-approved English language qualifications
IELTS Requirements
While requirements vary by faculty, competitive applicants generally present IELTS scores of 6.5 or higher. Some programs may require higher scores.
Students may qualify for English proficiency waivers if their previous degree was taught entirely in English. Many scholarship destinations worldwide may offer alternative English verification methods instead of IELTS, including selected universities in Germany, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Malaysia, China, Turkey, and Singapore.
Is Supervisor Required for NUS Research Scholarship?
Yes, for most research-based graduate programs, identifying a potential supervisor is highly recommended and can significantly strengthen your application.
Best strategy:
- Identify research groups aligned with your interests
- Review recent faculty publications
- Contact faculty professionally
- Discuss research fit and project ideas
- Tailor your research interests accordingly
Benefits of NUS Research Scholarship
The NUS Research Scholarship is one of the most attractive graduate funding opportunities in Asia due to its tuition support and competitive monthly stipend.
Financial Benefits of NUS Research Scholarship
- Full waiver of tuition fees.
- PhD International Students receive SGD 3,000 per month.
- Additional SGD 500 monthly increase after passing the PhD Qualifying Examination.
- Singapore Permanent Resident PhD students receive SGD 3,400 per month.
- Singapore Citizen PhD students receive SGD 3,800 per month.
- Singapore Citizen Master’s Research students receive SGD 3,800 per month.
- Singapore Permanent Resident Master’s Research students receive SGD 3,000 per month.
- International Master’s Research students receive SGD 2,900 per month.
- Scholarship funding available for up to four years for PhD candidates.
- Scholarship funding available for up to two years for Master’s candidates.
How important is supervisor matching during the application process?
Research alignment with faculty interests is extremely important and often influences admission and scholarship decisions.
Additional Benefits of NUS Research Scholarship
- Study at a globally ranked university.
- Access to advanced research laboratories.
- International research collaborations.
- Industry engagement opportunities.
- World-class faculty mentorship.
- Strong global alumni network.
- Access to Singapore’s innovation ecosystem.
- Career opportunities in academia and industry.
- Multicultural international environment.
Do international students need a student visa?
Yes. International students admitted to NUS must obtain the appropriate Singapore student pass before beginning their studies.
Program Duration, Timeline & Selection Process for NUS Research Scholarship
The scholarship is awarded initially for one year and may be renewed each semester based on satisfactory academic progress.
Maximum duration:
- Master’s (Research):
- Up to 2 Years
- PhD:
- Up to 4 Years
- Selection is based on:
- Academic excellence
- Research potential
- Statement of purpose
- Recommendation letters
- Relevant experience
- Research achievements
- Faculty assessment
Step-by-Step Application Process for NUS Research Scholarship
- Visit the NUS Graduate School admission portal
- Choose a research-based Master’s or PhD program
- Create a GradApp account
- Complete the graduate admission application
- Upload all required documents
- Indicate interest in the NUS Research Scholarship
- Submit faculty-specific requirements
- Attend interviews if requested
- Await admission and scholarship evaluation
- Receive admission and scholarship decision
NUS Research Scholarship Application Deadline & Important Dates
NUS follows two major intakes:
August Intake (Semester 1)
- Application deadlines vary by faculty.
- Most programs accept applications several months before August.
January Intake (Semester 2)
- Application deadlines vary by faculty.
- Applicants should check faculty-specific schedules.
Since deadlines differ across graduate programs, applicants must verify dates through their target faculty websites before applying.
Participating University
- National University of Singapore
Why Apply for This Program?
- Full tuition fee waiver.
- Competitive monthly stipend.
- Research-focused graduate education.
- Access to globally recognized faculty.
- Strong publication opportunities.
- World-class laboratories and facilities.
- International networking opportunities.
- High graduate employability.
- Study in one of Asia’s leading education hubs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying
- Submitting a generic statement of purpose.
- Weak recommendation letters.
- Incomplete application documents.
- Ignoring faculty-specific requirements.
- Missing application deadlines.
- Failing to demonstrate research alignment.
- Not highlighting publications or research experience.
- Poor communication with potential supervisors.
Salary and Monthly Stipend Under NUS Research Scholarship
The NUS Research Scholarship provides one of the most competitive graduate stipends in Singapore.
For international PhD students, the monthly stipend is SGD 3,000 and increases by SGD 500 after successfully passing the PhD Qualifying Examination. Singapore Citizens may receive up to SGD 3,800 per month plus CPF contributions where applicable.
NUS Research Scholarship Acceptance Rate
NUS does not publicly disclose the acceptance rate of the NUS Research Scholarship. However, admission and scholarship selection are highly competitive due to the university’s global reputation. Applicants with excellent academic records, strong research proposals, publications, high-quality recommendation letters, and relevant research experience generally have stronger chances of success.
Apply Now to Secure Your Future in Singapore
The NUS Research Scholarship offers far more than financial support, it provides access to one of the world’s leading research universities, internationally recognized faculty, cutting-edge laboratories, and a vibrant innovation ecosystem in Singapore. With a full tuition fee waiver, generous monthly stipend, strong research mentorship, and opportunities for global collaboration, this scholarship can become a launching pad for careers in academia, research institutions, multinational companies, and emerging technology sectors. Because competition is intense and funding is limited, serious applicants should start preparing their research interests, recommendation letters, academic documents, and faculty connections as early as possible to maximize their chances of success.
