NUS Research Scholarship
The NUS Research Scholarship is the default PhD funding route at the National University of Singapore — Asia's top-ranked university — covering full tuition plus a monthly stipend for up to 4 years. It's offered across most NUS faculties (Engineering, Computing, Science, Arts & Social Sciences, Medicine, Business). Sri Lankan applicants with a strong honours degree and research experience are competitive; the key constraint is the 3-year Singapore service obligation that comes with the MOE tuition subsidy embedded in the award.
National University of Singapore
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
Full Tuition Waiver
Duration
Up to 4-Year PhD
Stipend
S$2,700/mo (S$3,200 post-QE)
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Bachelor's with Honours
A recognised Bachelor's degree with at least upper second-class honours, or equivalent. NUS departments individually shortlist — Computing, Engineering and Science typically expect first-class or near first-class for funding.
Research Aptitude
Strong final-year project, research assistant experience, or publications. A short research proposal aligned with an NUS PI's lab is critical at the application stage.
English Proficiency
IELTS 6.5 (with no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 85+ is the standard requirement; competitive applicants typically score higher.
3-Year Singapore Service Bond
International recipients of the NUS Research Scholarship are required to sign a 3-year service obligation to work in Singapore for a Singapore-registered employer after graduating. This is non-negotiable — factor it into your post-PhD plans.
account_tree Application Process
Identify your NUS supervisor
Browse NUS faculty pages and email prospective supervisors with your CV, transcripts, and research interests — ideally October to January before the April deadline. PI buy-in drives most funded admissions.
Apply via GradApp
Submit your NUS PhD application through the GradApp portal, indicating you wish to be considered for the NUS Research Scholarship. Application closes 10 April 2026 for the August 2026 intake (some faculties run earlier internal cycles).
Departmental shortlisting
Each NUS department shortlists candidates for both admission and the Research Scholarship — typically February to May. Interviews (online or in person) are conducted by prospective supervisors.
Joint admission + scholarship offer
Admission and Research Scholarship offers are issued together by May–June. Acceptance triggers signing of the MOE Service Bond before enrolment.
Why NUS?
NUS is Asia's #1 ranked university (QS) and one of the largest research producers in Southeast Asia. The Kent Ridge campus houses world-leading groups in AI, biomedical sciences, materials, finance, and Asian studies.
#1 in Asia
QS World University Rankings
S$2,700/mo
Stipend (rises to S$3,200 post-QE)
3 Years
Singapore Service Bond Required
Similar Scholarships
Other curated opportunities for Sri Lankan students.
Nanyang President's Graduate Scholarship (NPGS)
Nanyang Technological University
Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)
A*STAR Singapore
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy Scholarships
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (NUS)