• Degrees supported: PhD or EngD.
• Funding duration: Up to 4 years.
• Where you study (autonomous universities):
  • National University of Singapore (NUS)
  • Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
  • Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)
  • Singapore Management University (SMU)
  • Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)
• Research exposure: Projects are industry-facing and use-inspired.
• Overseas attachment: Up to 12 months.
• Post-doctoral pathway: Eligible to apply for A*STAR International Fellowship (AIF) after the PhD/EngD.

Research Areas

Biomedical Research

• Antimicrobial Resistance; Bioinformatics; Food Science/Processing; Human Potential & Clinical Sciences; Infectious Diseases; MedTech; Metabolic & Brain Health; Precision & Preventive Health; Synthetic Biology; Therapeutics.

Science & Engineering Research

• Automated Hub Operations; Data, AI & Compute; Quantum; Real-time, Resilient & Optimized Supply Chain; Semiconductors; Smart & Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing; Sustainable Energy & Chemicals.

Note: These lists are illustrative, not exhaustive. If your field isn’t listed, contact A*STAR to verify scope. See Research Focus and Research Projects pages for current directions and available topics.

Cycle 1

• Opens: 2 August
• Closes: 15 February
• Interviews: mid-March → April
• Offers: from mid-May

Cycle 2

• Opens: 1 May
• Closes: 1 August
• Interviews: mid-September → October
• Offers: from November

Applicants must:

• Be Singaporean or Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) with at least a Second-Class (Upper) Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field; non-SPR foreign applicants must have obtained (or be on track to obtain) at least a Second-Class (Upper) Honours degree at a Singapore autonomous university.
• Be in the final semester of undergraduate studies (if applying pre-graduation).
• Meet admission criteria and gain a place in a PhD programme at an autonomous university.

Mid-Term AGS (current PhD/EngD students):

• Be Singaporean or SPR with at least Second-Class (Upper) Honours (or equivalent); non-SPR foreign applicants must hold at least Second-Class (Upper) Honours from a Singapore autonomous university.
• Be enrolled at a Singapore autonomous university and have completed ≥1 semester by the time of application.
• Be on track for excellent academic standing.
• Show good research potential/achievements.
• Have your current university supervisor as one of your two academic referees.

Note: In Singapore, an autonomous university is publicly funded and operates with significant academic/administrative autonomy.

Upload soft copies via the online application portal:

• Identity document: Passport or NRIC/FIN.
• Photo: Recent passport-style image (JPEG/PNG).
• Academic transcripts: Official records (with English translation if needed) for all tertiary qualifications up to your latest semester.
• Degree certificates: Bachelor’s and, if any, Master’s (English translation if needed) — or a university certification letter if the degree is pending.
• Recommendation reports: Two academic referee reports submitted online by referees via the auto-generated link after you submit your application.
• Proposed research area (brief description).
• CV/Resume.
• Singapore National Service certificate (if applicable).
• Co-curricular activities (CCA) records (if applicable).
• Awards & publications (if available).
• Optional test scores (can strengthen your case or be required by the university): GRE / IELTS / TOEFL / SAT I & II / GATE / MCAT.

Note: Universities may ask for additional materials as part of separate programme admission.

Singaporeans and non-Singaporeans are welcome to apply.

• Full tuition fees.
• Allowances, which may include: book, computer, conference, and thesis support.
• Support for an overseas attachment of up to 12 months.
• Mid-term awardees receive the same terms from the award point onward, with retrospective payment of tuition/compulsory fees from Year 1 of study.

• Submit your AGS application via A*STAR’s online portal.
• Separately apply for admission to your intended partner university — this must be one of the five autonomous universities listed above; the AGS award is conditional on securing that place.
• Shortlisted applicants complete two interview rounds.
• Offer letters are issued to successful candidates.
• Awardees have two weeks to accept the scholarship.

• Service commitment:
  • Singaporeans / SPRs: No service commitment.
  • Non-Singaporeans: 3-year service in Singapore-based companies (no bond to a specific employer; ideally in CIS-related disciplines).
• Developmental programme: Scholars join Vista, A*STAR Graduate Academy’s signature series, featuring leadership engagement and peer networking.
• Notifications: Successful candidates will be contacted via email.