Young Defence Scientists Programme 2026: STEM Pathways for IP Boys & Girls

Q: What does Young Defence Scientists Programme 2026: STEM Pathways for IP Boys & Girls cover?
A: Comprehensive briefing on DSTA's Young Defence Scientists Programme (YDSP) 2026.

TL;DR
YDSP offers IP and JC students a pipeline from exploratory camps to defence scholarships. Build coding, electronics, and research communication skills now to stand out during the 2026 intake.

Stay Connected

Pair YDSP planning with the IP Physics hub so Olympiad prep, scholarship essays, and research clinics share the same roadmap.

1 Programme Overview

• Organiser: Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), with MINDEF support.
• Tracks: Science & Engineering Camp, World of Science, YDSP Scholarship & A*STAR/DSTA internships. (DSTA YDSP)
• Target cohort: Sec 4 IP, JC1 students with strong STEM aptitude and interest in defence technology.

1.1 Why it matters

• Provides mentorship by defence engineers and exposure to cutting-edge labs.
• Acts as a feeder to DSTA/MINDEF scholarships and internships. (MINDEF speech, 25 Apr 2025)

2 Application Timeline & Structure (2026)