If you are an international student dreaming of a funded postgraduate degree in Asia, the NUS Research Scholarship deserves a place on your shortlist. It is offered by the National University of Singapore to PhD and Master’s (Research) students. It covers your full tuition and pays a monthly stipend. For many African applicants, it is one of the few routes to a research degree at a top Asian university without paying fees.
There is a catch, and many blogs skip it. The NUS Global Merit Scholarship has a similar name but is only for Singapore citizens entering undergraduate study. International undergraduates have other NUS awards. This guide sorts out which award fits you, what each pays, and how to apply without wasting months on the wrong one.
What Is the NUS Research Scholarship?
The NUS Research Scholarship is run by the NUS Graduate School. It funds students on research degrees: PhD and Master’s by research. You hold it while you study full-time on a research programme at NUS.
You don’t fill in a separate scholarship form from scratch. You apply for admission through NUS’s graduate application portal (GradApp) and indicate that you want the scholarship considered. You then complete any extra scholarship requirements shown there.
NUS also runs related awards. The main ones are:
- NUS ASEAN Research Scholarship: for PhD students from ASEAN countries (not Singapore).
- NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship: for undergraduates from any country except Singapore.
- ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship: for undergraduates from ASEAN countries.
- NUS Global Merit Scholarship: for Singapore citizens entering undergraduate study.
Key Benefits: What the Scholarship Covers
NUS Research Scholarship (graduate)
According to the NUS Graduate School page, the NUS Research Scholarship includes:
- Full tuition fee waiver.
- A monthly stipend (rates effective from 1 January 2026):
- International PhD students: S$3,000 per month
- International Master’s (Research) students: S$2,900 per month
- A PhD top-up: PhD students get an extra S$500 per month after passing the PhD Qualifying Examination.
Singapore citizens and permanent residents get higher stipend rates, so don’t be alarmed if you see bigger numbers elsewhere. Those are for different categories.
The award is first given for one year, then renewed each semester at the university’s discretion, based on satisfactory progress. The usual length is four years for a PhD and two for a Master’s (Research).
NUS lists no specific bond for this scholarship. Scholars must meet the requirements of the Graduate Assistantship Programme, which is a teaching or research service commitment. They also may not take other employment or hold another scholarship or allowance without university approval.
NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship
For undergraduates, the international award covers:
- Full coverage of the subsidised tuition fee, after the Ministry of Education (MOE) Tuition Grant
- S$5,800 annual living allowance
- S$1,750 one-time computer allowance
- S$5,000 annual accommodation allowance
The scholarship itself has no bond. But you must accept the MOE Tuition Grant, which carries a bond. International students must work for a Singapore-registered company for three years after graduation. Dentistry and Medicine have longer Ministry of Health bonds. Read this carefully before you accept.
NUS Global Merit Scholarship (Singapore citizens only)
For completeness: the Global Merit Scholarship offers a S$6,000 yearly living allowance, a S$2,000 computer allowance, housing allowances and an exchange allowance. But NUS lists it for Singapore citizens only. If you are an international student, don’t apply expecting this one. Look at the International Undergraduate Scholarship instead.
Who the Scholarship Is For
Postgraduate and PhD students
This is the sweet spot. If you hold a good bachelor’s or master’s degree and want to do research, the NUS Research Scholarship is built for you. Strong candidates have a clear research direction, ideally with a supervisor in mind.
Master’s (Research) students
You can also get the NUS Research Scholarship for a research Master’s. The stipend is slightly lower than for a PhD, and the duration is shorter. Coursework Master’s programmes are generally a different path and are not what this scholarship funds.
Undergraduate students
The NUS Research Scholarship is not for undergraduates. If you are finishing high school, your options are the International Undergraduate Scholarship (any country except Singapore) and, if you are from an ASEAN country, the ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship.
Detailed Eligibility Criteria
NUS Research Scholarship
- Degree level: PhD or Master’s (Research) at NUS.
- Academic background: At least Second Class Honours (Upper Division), Honours (Distinction), or an equivalent undergraduate degree.
- Nationality: NUS Graduate School lists Singapore citizens, permanent residents and all international students.
- Admission: You need an offer of admission to a research programme.
Flag this conflict. One older FASS admissions FAQ describes the NUS Research Scholarship as open only to citizens and PRs. The Graduate School page, which is more current, includes international students. Before you apply, confirm with your department or the Graduate School at nusgsenquiry@nus.edu.sg.
English proficiency: FASS says you need TOEFL or IELTS only if both your native language and language of instruction are not English. The minimums it lists are TOEFL iBT 85 (with at least 22 in writing) or IELTS 7.0. Requirements can vary by department, so check yours.
GRE: The Graduate School page calls GRE scores optional but helpful. Another FASS page seems to list it for PhD applicants. Check your department.
International Undergraduate Scholarship
- Citizen of any country except Singapore.
- Outstanding high school results.
- Strong leadership potential and an outstanding co-curricular record.
- Admitted to a full-time NUS undergraduate degree.
- Transfer applicants are not eligible.
To keep it, you need a GPA of at least 3.5 (or equivalent) and good conduct.
Step-by-Step Application Process
For the NUS Research Scholarship
- Choose your programme and department. Read faculty pages carefully. Deadlines and requirements differ.
- Find a supervisor whose work fits yours. Read their recent papers. Send a short, specific email if the department allows it.
- Prepare your core documents. Start with the statement of purpose and your referees. They take the longest.
- Apply through GradApp. Submit your admission application and tick the option to be considered for the NUS Research Scholarship.
- Complete any extra scholarship requirements shown in GradApp.
- Wait for the result. FASS says it notifies applicants by 31 May for August entry and by 31 October for January entry. Other faculties may differ.
Practical tip: Treat the scholarship and the admission as one application. A weak admission file will sink your funding chances too.
For undergraduate international scholarships
- Submit your NUS undergraduate admission application. There is no separate form for the international awards.
- Present strong grades and a convincing co-curricular record. Leadership matters.
- Be ready for an interview. NUS says shortlisted applicants are invited to interviews, held between January and July.
- Check your email and applicant portal. Results are announced by mid-July, according to NUS.
Required Documents Checklist
For the NUS Research Scholarship, NUS lists these as compulsory:
- Academic transcripts showing a good GPA in a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree
- Statement of purpose (research interests, career aims and motivation)
- Letters of recommendation
- A comprehensive CV
These can strengthen your file:
- GRE scores (optional, per the Graduate School page)
- Publications or research project experience
- TOEFL or IELTS scores, if you need them
Also gather your degree certificates, a passport copy and any English-proficiency evidence early. Score reports are typically valid for two years, and FASS says they must still be valid when applications open.
For undergraduate scholarships, NUS considers you through your admission application. Use the checklist on the NUS admissions page.
Important Deadlines and Timeline
Dates change, and they differ by faculty. Here is what I could confirm:
- Engineering (CDE), August 2027 intake: 15 January 2027 for international candidates, with or without a scholarship application.
- Engineering (CDE) results: May for August intake and October for January intake.
- FASS, August intake: 1 November (Economics: 1 December).
- FASS, January intake: 15 May.
- Undergraduate international scholarships: decided through the admission application, with interviews from January to July and results by mid-July.
I did not find a single university-wide graduate deadline. Always use your own faculty’s page.
A realistic timeline
- 9 to 12 months before: Choose programmes, check eligibility, book your English test.
- 6 to 9 months before: Contact supervisors and ask your referees.
- 3 to 6 months before: Draft and revise your statement of purpose.
- 1 to 2 months before: Upload everything and double-check the faculty deadline.
- After submitting: Watch your email and applicant portal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid and Insider Tips
Mistakes
- Applying for the wrong award. The Global Merit Scholarship is for Singapore citizens. Don’t build your plan around it as an international student.
- Using one deadline for every faculty. Engineering and Arts close on different dates.
- A generic statement of purpose. “I am passionate about research” tells the committee nothing.
- Leaving referees until the last week. Late letters hurt otherwise good applications.
- Ignoring the bond on the MOE Tuition Grant if you apply as an undergraduate.
- Not reading the conditions. You can’t hold other scholarships or paid employment without approval.
Insider tips
- Be specific about your research question. Name a problem, a method and why NUS is the right place to study it.
- Match your work to NUS strengths. Look at what labs and professors publish.
- Show evidence of research ability. A thesis, a published paper or a lab project carries more weight than long claims.
- Choose referees who know your research. A detailed letter from a supervisor beats a vague one from a famous name.
- Apply to more than one place. Funding is competitive, so keep alternatives open, such as, the Yenching Academy Scholarship or the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship.
- Check your own country’s context. Some African applicants combine this with a home-government or employer sponsorship. Ask early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NUS Research Scholarship open to African students?
NUS Graduate School lists the scholarship as open to international students. One older faculty FAQ says otherwise, so confirm with your department before applying.
Is there a separate application form?
For graduate study, you apply through GradApp and indicate your interest in the scholarship, then complete any extra requirements shown there.
Does the NUS Research Scholarship have a bond?
NUS lists no specific bond. You must meet the Graduate Assistantship Programme requirements. Early withdrawal may have consequences, so read your offer letter.
Can I work part-time or hold another scholarship?
Not without the university’s approval, according to NUS.
How much does it pay international students?
From 1 January 2026, NUS lists S$3,000 per month for PhD and S$2,900 for Master’s (Research), plus S$500 extra for PhD students after the Qualifying Examination.
Can I apply for the NUS Global Merit Scholarship as an international student?
No. NUS lists it for Singapore citizens only. International undergraduates should look at the International Undergraduate Scholarship.
Is there an undergraduate bond?
The scholarship itself has none, but the MOE Tuition Grant you must take up requires three years of work with a Singapore-registered company after graduation (longer for Dentistry and Medicine).
Is the GRE required?
NUS Graduate School calls it optional. Check your own department.
Conclusion: Your Next Steps
The NUS Research Scholarship is a strong option if you want a funded research degree in Singapore. Start by deciding whether you are applying for graduate or undergraduate study. Then check your faculty’s deadline and write a focused research proposal.
- Confirm your eligibility with your department.
- Note your faculty’s exact deadline.
- Contact potential supervisors.
- Request transcripts and recommendation letters now.
- Submit early and keep a backup option.
You can do this. Many strong applicants fail because they started too late, not because they lacked ability.
Apply HERE: NUS Admissions
Author’s note: Scholarship amounts, eligibility rules and deadlines can change. Please check the official NUS website and your faculty page before you apply.