A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (AGS)

Who can apply

Singapore citizen or Permanent Resident who has obtained, or is on track to obtain, at least a Second-Class (Upper) Honours degree or equivalent; non-Singaporean applicants must have completed, or be on track to complete, that same standard specifically at a Singapore autonomous university
In the last semester of final-year undergraduate study at the time of applying (a separate mid-term route exists for those already enrolled in a Singapore university)
Must separately satisfy admission criteria for, and be admitted to, a PhD programme at a Singapore autonomous university; A*STAR advises identifying a research project and securing supervisor endorsement, including from an A*STAR researcher, before applying
A separate Mid-Term AGS route exists for those already enrolled at a Singapore autonomous university with at least one semester completed; it requires on-track excellent academic standing, demonstrated research potential, and the applicant's current university supervisor as one of the two required academic referees

A substantial package, with one track-based difference in the stipend

ASTAR’s Graduate Scholarship funds up to four years of PhD study at a Singapore university across four tracks, STEM, Semiconductor, Quantum and Computing, and it’s a substantial package: full tuition, a monthly living allowance, book/computer/conference/thesis allowances, and support for up to a year of overseas research attachment during the PhD. One financial detail worth knowing before you pick a track: ASTAR’s own page states the Semiconductor, Quantum and Computing tracks pay a higher stipend than the general STEM track, so the track you choose affects your living allowance, not just your research area.

The “Yes” that’s easy to misread

The eligibility rule that trips people up is the one ASTAR’s own FAQ almost invites you to misread. Asked directly whether a non-Singaporean can apply, ASTAR answers “Yes.” Taken alone, that sounds like the scholarship is open worldwide. It isn’t: the actual eligibility criteria require non-Singaporean applicants to have completed, or be on track to complete, their qualifying degree specifically at a Singapore autonomous university. In practice, this is open to international students already studying in Singapore, not to someone applying fresh from abroad. In exchange, Singaporeans and Permanent Residents owe no service commitment at all, while non-Singaporean scholars commit to three years working at a Singapore-based company, though not for any specific employer A*STAR names for you.

A separate Mid-Term route for those already enrolled

Beyond the standard route for final-year undergraduates, A*STAR runs a separate Mid-Term AGS for students already enrolled at a Singapore autonomous university with at least one semester completed, on track for excellent academic standing and demonstrated research potential. A Mid-Term applicant’s own current university supervisor must be one of the two required academic referees, and successful Mid-Term scholars receive the same support as full-term awardees from the point of the award, including retrospective payment of tuition and compulsory fees back to Year 1 of study.

Two cycles a year, and admission is a separate step you arrange yourself

The application runs twice a year, and admission to a PhD programme is a separate step you need to arrange yourself, alongside identifying a research project and lining up both a university supervisor and an ASTAR researcher willing to co-supervise. The most recent cycle ran 1 June to 10 August 2026 and has now closed, with interviews running mid-August to October and outcomes from mid-November. ASTAR’s standing pattern points to the next cycle opening around 1 November, but the site doesn’t yet confirm which year that refers to, so check directly closer to that date rather than assuming.