NUS ASEAN Research Scholarship

Overview

The NUS ASEAN Research Scholarship funds PhD students from ASEAN countries (excluding Singapore) to pursue full-time doctoral study at the National University of Singapore. It covers your tuition entirely and pays a monthly stipend that increases once you pass your PhD Qualifying Examination. There is no service bond after graduation, which makes it one of the more flexible research funding options in Singapore.

You apply through the NUS graduate admissions portal at the same time you apply for a PhD programme. Each faculty sets its own application deadlines for the August and January intakes, so you'll need to check with your target department directly rather than relying on a single university-wide deadline.

Key Facts at a Glance

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality

You must be a citizen of one of these ASEAN countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, or Vietnam. Singapore citizens and PRs are excluded.

Admission status

You must be admitted to a full-time NUS PhD programme. This scholarship does not cover part-time or research master's degrees.

Academic background

You need a minimum of Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in your undergraduate degree, or an equivalent qualification. If your institution uses a different grading scale, NUS will assess equivalence.

Research fit

You need a strong research interest and academic background relevant to your intended PhD programme. Vague research interests or a weak match between your background and your proposed area of study will hurt your application.

Graduate Assistantship Programme

As a scholarship holder, you are required to participate in the Graduate Assistantship Programme, which means performing teaching or research assistance duties for your department. This is not optional.

What the Scholarship Covers

• Full tuition fee waiver for the duration of the award (typically 4 years)
• Monthly stipend of SGD 3,000 before passing the PhD Qualifying Examination
• Monthly stipend of SGD 3,500 after passing the PhD Qualifying Examination

How to Apply

1. Identify the NUS faculty or department that aligns with your research interest and check their specific application deadline for either the August or January intake.
2. Reach out to potential supervisors in advance if possible — many NUS faculties expect you to have at least preliminary contact with a supervisor before applying.
3. Submit your graduate admission application through the NUS GradApp portal, indicating your interest in the ASEAN Research Scholarship as part of the application.
4. Upload all required supporting documents within the portal.
5. Monitor your email for communications from the graduate admissions team or your target faculty.
6. If shortlisted, participate in any interviews or additional assessments requested by the department.

Required Documents

• Completed NUS graduate admission application via GradApp
• Official undergraduate degree transcripts (and postgraduate transcripts if applicable)
• Proof of degree conferral or graduation
• Research proposal or statement of research interest
• Two to three academic reference letters
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• Valid passport showing ASEAN citizenship
• English language proficiency test scores (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent) if your undergraduate instruction was not in English
• GRE scores if required by your target faculty

Key Dates & Deadlines

There is no single university-wide deadline for the NUS ASEAN Research Scholarship. Each faculty sets its own deadline for both the August intake (Semester 1) and the January intake (Semester 2). You need to check the admissions page of your specific target department well in advance — many set deadlines four to six months before the intake date. Applying early gives you more time for back-and-forth with potential supervisors.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Contact potential supervisors before you submit your application. Many NUS faculties expect it, and having a supervisor willing to take you significantly improves your chances.
• Write a focused research proposal with a clear problem statement, methodology, and connection to existing literature in your field.
• Choose your referees carefully — academic referees who know your research capacity well outperform senior figures who barely know you.
• Pass the PhD Qualifying Examination as early as you're ready to, since that's the trigger for the stipend increase to SGD 3,500.
• Engage seriously with your Graduate Assistantship duties — they're part of the scholarship terms and your department will notice.
• If your undergraduate grades are borderline, a strong research track record (publications, thesis, relevant projects) can compensate.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Missing a faculty-specific deadline because you assumed a single university-wide date.
• Submitting a research proposal that's too broad or reads more like a literature review than a research plan.
• Applying to a faculty without checking whether any faculty member actually works in your area — a poor supervisor match is one of the top reasons PhD applications fail.
• Underestimating the teaching and research assistance workload that comes with the Graduate Assistantship Programme.
• Applying for both intakes simultaneously without tailoring each application — admissions committees notice copy-paste proposals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which countries are eligible for the NUS ASEAN Research Scholarship?

Citizens of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. Singapore citizens and PRs are excluded.

Does the NUS ASEAN Research Scholarship include a service bond?

No. Unlike some Singapore scholarships, this award has no post-graduation bond. You're free to work anywhere after you complete your PhD.

How much does the NUS ASEAN Research Scholarship pay each month?

SGD 3,000 per month before you pass your PhD Qualifying Examination, and SGD 3,500 per month after you pass it. These rates are effective from January 2026.

How long does the NUS ASEAN Research Scholarship last?

The typical award period is four years. Extensions beyond that depend on your programme's requirements and faculty approval.

Does the NUS ASEAN Research Scholarship cover tuition fees?

Yes — it provides a full waiver of your NUS PhD tuition fees for the duration of the award.

What is the Graduate Assistantship Programme under the NUS ASEAN Research Scholarship?

It's a structured requirement for scholarship holders to contribute teaching or research assistance to their department. The hours and nature of the duties depend on your faculty. It's not optional.

How do you apply for the NUS ASEAN Research Scholarship?

Through the NUS GradApp portal as part of your PhD admission application. You indicate your scholarship interest within that same application — there is no separate scholarship form.

When should you apply for the NUS ASEAN Research Scholarship?

As early as your target faculty's deadline allows. Each faculty sets its own deadline for the August and January intakes, and some close applications many months before the semester starts. Check your specific department's website for the current cycle's date.

Do you need to contact a supervisor before applying for the NUS ASEAN Research Scholarship?

It's strongly advisable, and in many NUS faculties it's effectively expected. Reaching out to a potential supervisor early helps you shape a relevant research proposal and increases the likelihood that a faculty member will support your application.

Is the NUS ASEAN Research Scholarship available for master's students?

No. This scholarship is for full-time PhD students only. If you're looking for funding for a research master's programme, you'll need to check other NUS funding options.