Frequently Asked Questions

National Science Scholarships (NSS)

Application

  • What is the selection process?

    For scholarships, applicants will undergo at least 2 rounds of interviews involving the top management of the Biomedical Research Council or Science & Engineering Research Council, and researchers from local research institutes and centres, universities or hospitals. If the applicant is successful in these interviews, he will be awarded the scholarship on an 'in-principle' basis, which will become effective when the candidate clears his psychometric and medical health tests.

    For fellowship, applicants have to submit at least 2 referee reports and a description of his proposed research area plus all his academic credentials. An expert panel for assessment will then review them.

  • My examination results are not available yet. Can I apply for NSS Scholarships?

    Yes, you can. Please submit your past years' result slips or prelim results and the final transcript when the results are released.

  • I am currently holding a scholarship for my undergraduate studies from other government ministries/agencies, can I still apply for NSS (PhD) Scholarships?

    Please clarify the policy and guidelines from your sponsoring organisation before applying.

  • My bachelors degree was awarded for an unrelated course of study to

    National Science Scholarships (NSS)

    m currently studying/based overseas. Do I have to make a physical appearance for an interview if I am shortlisted?

    It would be ideal if you could meet the interviewers personally. If this is not possible, the initial interview can be conducted via teleconferencing but for the final round of interview, we would require your physical presence or by video conferencing.

  • Do I need to secure a place at an overseas university before applying for the scholarship?

    You should have secured a place in one overseas universities, or at least be in the process of applying to one or more of them. You may wish to refer to the list of universities where our scholars are attending / had attended in the past. For NSS (BS) applicants, please refer to the lists here (biomedical sciences) and here (science and engineering); and for NSS (PhD) applicants, please refer to the lists here (biomedical sciences) and here (science and engineering).

  • If I'm going for my national service (NS), do I apply for the scholarships after I have received my A-level results or after I've completed NS?

    You can send in your applications as soon as you have received your prelims or A-level results. If you are successful in your application, an In-principal offer will be made to you. Upon accepting our offer, we will hold the scholarship for you until you have completed your NS.

  • The new A-Level syllabi offer both research-based and examination-based H3 subjects, is there a preference for either type of H3 subjects?

    Applicants will be shortlisted based on their results for a relevant H3 subject (i.e. at least a 'merit' in one maths or science H3 subject), and not whether it is a research-based or examination-based subject.

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Courses/University

  • If I am awarded a NSS BS-PhD Scholarship, do I have to study in the same university for my bachelor degree, masters degree & PhD?

    • It is preferred that you explore studying in a different university (and even in a different country) from your bachelors degree to benefit from the greater exposures such as the differences in education systems, social and working environments, research and academic networks etc.

  • What qualities do you look for in a scholar?

    In addition to academic excellence and a passion in science, we are looking for people committed to the cause of serving Singapore. A*STAR is making a huge investment on the scholar and the aim is for the scholar to come back and drive the Singapore's R&D sector. He/she will have a big role to help Singapore stay competitive as a global knowledge-based economy and be the future catalyst of creating high value-adding jobs for Singapore.

  • What courses am I allowed to undertake?

    Please refer to the list of disciplines that the NSS supports.

  • Am I allowed to take up other non-related modules, like foreign languages?

    Yes, you may, but you need to seek prior approval from A*STAR.

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Fees & Financial Matters

  • Will A*STAR reimburse the costs incurred in preparation for pre-admission tests e.g. SAT I, SAT II, GRE and GMAT to an applicant?

    A one-time Miscellaneous Allowance, given at the start of the course to all our successful candidates, will be sufficient to cover the costs of these tests.

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Others

  • Are Scholars allowed to work part-time?

    Scholars are allowed to take up part-time jobs as long as their studies are not affected and the part-time jobs are academically related. However, they will have to seek prior approval from A*STAR.

  • Do I have to return to Singapore during the vacation or anytime during my course of studies?

    For BS-PhD Scholars, A*STAR will pay for annual return trips to Singapore during the undergraduate studies. For Overseas Graduate Scholars, arrangements will be made for them to return to Singapore each year. Fellowship holders are required to return to Singapore once during their term to present their research findings to the local R&D community.

  • Can I apply for a PSC scholarship and get a job in A*STAR as part of the bond?

    PSC scholarships are catered to scholars suitable for administrative work in the civil service while A*STAR's National Science Scholarships (NSS) aim to cultivate research scientist. If you are really interested in R&D, we will encourage you to apply directly to our NSS.

  • I understand that NSS (BS) scholars are expected to obtain good grades, is it difficult to achieve that?

    A*STAR selects the best students each year from Singapore's JCs. These students are put through a thorough selection process, and only those with a strong passion and drive for research, and commitment to Singapore are chosen. Based on their excellent academic track records at 'A' and 'O' levels, we expect all our scholars to do well in their undergraduate studies. We have set an academic benchmark for our scholars of 3.8 GPA (for those in US universities) and First Class Honours (for those in UK universities). The purpose of achieving these high academic standards is to enable our scholars to secure graduate positions at top laboratories around the world. To date, over 85% of our undergraduate scholars not only achieve this benchmark, but exceed it.

  • I am very keen on embarking on my PhD studies after completing my bachelors degree, is academic performance the only factor A*STAR considers when deciding PhD support for scholars?

    Academic performance is not the only factor that A*STAR considers when deciding whether or not to support our scholars for PhD studies. Beyond academics, A*STAR also values attributes such as passion and aptitude for science, alignment of research interest with A*STAR's research directions, and the ability of the scholar to work well in a lab environment. We assess these traits during the scholars' summer attachment at A*STAR during their undergraduate years, as well as during their one year research attachment in an A*STAR lab after completing their undergraduate studies. For the small percentage of A*STAR�s NSS (BS) scholars who did not attain the 3.8 GPA or First Class Honours criteria, A*STAR reviewed each of their case and interviewed each one of them individually. Applicants who did not attain the 3.8 GPA or First Class Honours criteria will be assessed during interviews if they possess traits that will enable them to be good scientists. A*STAR will support them for their PhD studies if they have the potential to be good scientists and are passionate about research. So far, the vast majority of scholars who did not score 3.8 GPA or First Class Honours have been supported for PhDs in top universities worldwide.

  • What are the key highlights of the NSS?

    Key highlights of the NSS scholarships include: -

    • Mentorship Programme to link up with prominent researchers in Singapore
    • A rewarding R&D career
    • Other allowances like annual return airfare, computer allowance and additional overseas allowance (for PhD studies only)
    • Attachment opportunities at A*STAR research institutes and consortia
  • What is the career route?

    There are 14 research institutes and centres that are sponsored by A*STAR. Our scholars, upon graduation, will be deployed to these RIs, hospitals or even the industry. You can refer to a list of RIs sponsored by A*STAR and then go to their respective websites for more information on the R&D career prospects they have and the types of research that they are embarking on.

  • Is it possible to obtain the BS-PhD Scholarship and pursue undergraduate studies locally and do the PhD component abroad instead?

    We encourage you to do your entire studies overseas, i.e. from undergraduate studies to PhD However, we would review on a case by case basis if you feel very strongly about pursuing your undergraduate studies locally.

  • Would you sponsor 5-year double degree programs for major in Mathematics and Music? If so what kind of job prospects are relevant to such a field of study?

    With regards to funding a double degree program with majors as diverse as Mathematics and Music, we would have to review on a case by case basis. Some factors to consider would be the relevance of your majors to our Research Institutes and Centres (RIs), the length of your total studies and the cost of double degree. For more information on job prospects, please refer to the website of our RIs

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Practical Attachment

  • Do we have to come back for a practical attachment?

    Yes, all scholars are required to come back for at least one practical attachment at anytime during the course of their studies.

    The purpose of a practical attachment is for you to become familiar with the R&D sector in Singapore as well as what you can look forward to as a career when you return to Singapore after your studies. This policy applies to all scholars studying overseas.

  • How long are practical attachments?

    The period of attachment is usually 6-8 weeks in length. You need at least 4 weeks to do anything substantial during your practical attachment.

  • Where will I be attached?

    You may request to be attached to any one of A*STAR Research Institutes in Singapore. Alternatively, if you require additional information you can let your scholarship officer know and he/she can mail you some information booklets etc. You are to indicate your date of return and preferred place of attachment in advance. You may indicate this information in your annual workplan/progress report or at least 2 months before you plan to return to allow us sufficient time to arrange for your attachment.

  • What if I want to be attached somewhere other than a Research Institute (RI)?

    Even though we encourage all scholars to join a RI for their first practical attachment, we can consider attachments to other public or private sector institutes/companies on a case by case basis as long as the attachment is based in Singapore. You should put up a formal request to A*STAR for external attachments and seek A*STAR's approval before committing yourself.

  • Can I come back for more than 1 attachment?

    Yes, you can, just let us know at least 2 months in advance.

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Annual Return Flights

  • Are we eligible for annual return flights?

    Yes, and we encourage all scholars to come home once a year. Please indicate when you will be returning to Singapore at least 2 months in advance to facilitate our planning of events, gatherings and meetings for scholars. We may also need to take care of some administrative matters upon your return and would appreciate some advance notice. Kindly be reminded that all scholars are eligible for 1 return flight per academic year, i.e. Academic Year 2001 (Sept/Oct 2001 -Sept /Oct 2002).

  • What if we can't return to Singapore every year?

    We understand that some of you may not be able to return every year because you plan to take summer school, participate in a summer lab attachment at your respective universities or you may need to work on your research projects and cannot afford the time off. You should indicate these plans in your annual workplan. Bear in mind that you are required to return for one practical attachment in Singapore.

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