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Singapore Applications open Closes 10 April 2027

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.

Open for the August 2027 intake — applications close around 10 April 2027 in most faculties, with a further round around 1 June 2027 for the January 2028 intake. Dates follow the same annual pattern — confirm with your faculty before applying.

National University of Singapore

University-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Value

Full Tuition Waiver

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Duration

Up to 4-Year PhD

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Stipend

S$2,700/mo (S$3,200 post-QE)

info How this award actually works

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Who awards it

National University of Singapore — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.

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How you are considered

Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.

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What it covers

Full Tuition + S$2,700/mo Stipend. This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.

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Where we come in

We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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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.

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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.

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English Proficiency

IELTS 6.5 (with no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 85+ is the standard requirement; competitive applicants typically score higher.

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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.

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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

Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?

Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.

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