The NUS Research Scholarship funds outstanding PhD and research Master's candidates to pursue a full-time graduate research degree at the National University of Singapore. It combines a monthly stipend with a full tuition fee subsidy for up to 4 years (PhD) or 2 years (Master's), awarded competitively alongside graduate admission — there is no separate scholarship application.
Why it is notable: One of Asia's most generous fully funded research scholarships — automatic consideration within the graduate admission application (via GradApp), a real stipend (S$3,000/month for international PhD students) plus full tuition subsidy, and an extra S$500/month top-up once you pass your PhD Qualifying Examination.
Additional S$500/month top-up for PhD research scholars who pass the PhD Qualifying Examination within the stipulated period, renewable each semester subject to good performance
Full tuition fee subsidy (official: "The scholarship will provide the full tuition fee subsidy")
Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions on top of the stipend for Singapore Citizens (at the prevailing employer's contribution rate)
Honest coverage note: "The University does not provide additional assistance towards travel or other costs" (official page)
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Graduationfor MastersGraduationfor PhD
"This scholarship is offered for full-time graduate research Masters and PhD programmes. (Official footnote: Research Master's awards are generally restricted to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.)"
Who can apply
All nationalities — BUT candidates must be eligible for the MOE tuition fee subsidy, and the scholarship must have been preceded by an offer of admission to a full-time graduate research programme at NUS. (Official footnote: Research Master's awards are generally Singapore Citizens/Permanent Residents only.)
Experience
No experience required
Language Certificate
Course-dependent — English proficiency requirements (IELTS/TOEFL) vary by faculty and programme; check GradApp
Other Certificates
University degree certificate and academic transcripts (official or to-date with status letter if graduating after the deadline)
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Tools that may help
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Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
All nationalities may apply, subject to MOE tuition-fee-subsidy eligibility (MOE policy sets the tuition grant terms)
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Qualification
University graduate with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division)/Honours (Distinction) or equivalent
02
Admission
Must have been offered admission to a full-time graduate research programme at NUS at the time of the scholarship award
03
MOE subsidy
Must be eligible for the MOE subsidy on tuition fees (UNVERIFIED detail: the MOE Tuition Grant scheme has historically carried a post-study work obligation for international students — confirm current MOE terms before applying)
04
Documents
Transcripts, degree certificate (or status letter), English test scores, GRE where encouraged, CV, SOP, research proposal, passport photo, two referee reports — exact set varies by faculty
05
Language
English proficiency requirements are faculty/programme-dependent (IELTS/TOEFL as stated in GradApp)
06
Renewal
Scholarship is initially for 1 year; renewal each semester depends on performance and faculty recommendation
Document checklist
01Passport or other applicable identity document
02University transcripts (official, or to-date transcripts if not yet graduated)
03Degree certificate or current-student status letter with expected graduation date
04GRE, TOEFL or IELTS score sheets (as applicable — faculty-dependent)
05Research proposal
06Curriculum vitae
07Statement of purpose
08Passport-size photograph
09Two referee reports (submitted directly by referees) (List reflects GradApp standard document set — exact requirements vary by faculty; confirm inside GradApp before submitting.)
Application fee
UNVERIFIED — not published on the official scholarship pages; confirm in GradApp before applying
Visa, kept concise: Study visa type for this destination: Student's Pass (STP) — Singapore; international students must hold a valid STP for full-time study
Application Procedure
10 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Choose your faculty/school and research programme
and identify potential supervisors (PhD admissions at NUS are supervisor-led — contacting faculty in advance strengthens your application).
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02
Prepare documents: academic transcripts
degree certificate (or to-date transcripts + status letter), English test scores (if required), GRE (encouraged for some faculties), CV, statement of purpose, research proposal, passport photo, and referee details (exact
→
03
Submit your application for admission through the
NUS GradApp online system (gradapp.nus.edu.sg) before the application-window deadline. There is NO separate scholarship application — you apply for the NUS Research Scholarship within your admissions application and fulf
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06
Passport or other applicable identity document
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05
Wait for admission + scholarship outcome (competitive
only the best candidates are awarded).
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04
Arrange for referees to submit their reports
before the deadline.
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07
University transcripts (official
or to-date transcripts if not yet graduated)
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08
Degree certificate or current-student status letter with
expected graduation date
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09
GRE, TOEFL or IELTS score sheets (as applicable —
faculty-dependent)
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10
Research proposal
Application milestones
15 Nov 2026
Application deadline
2027
Intake year
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official National University of Singapore platform.
Is there a separate application for the NUS Research Scholarship? A: No. You apply for it within your admissions application through GradApp and fulfil the scholarship application requirements stated What is the stipend for international students? A: S$3,000/month for PhD and S$2,900/month for Master's, plus a full tuition fee subsidy.Is there a top-up after the PhD Qualifying Examination? A: Yes — PhD research scholars who pass the QE within the stipulated period receive an additional S$500/month for a specific period, renewable eCan the scholarship be renewed? A: It is initially awarded for one year and may be renewed each semester based on performance and faculty recommendation; the award ends at the end of the 4th year of cDoes the scholarship cover travel or relocation? A: No — the University does not provide additional assistance towards travel or other costs.Must I stay in Singapore during the award? A: Yes — research scholars must be in Singapore during the award duration, except during approved leave.Will I have to do teaching duties? A: Recipients may be required by the Head of Department/Programme to assist in teaching or departmental work.Does the scholarship guarantee a job after completion? A: No — the University does not guarantee employment on successful completion of the programme.
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
Singapore · National University of Singapore