A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (AGS): 2025 Profile & Research Career Guide
Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)01 Oct 2025, 16:40 Z
TL;DR
AGS finances four years of PhD or EngD research with overseas exposure. Secure a strong honours record, align with A*STAR labs early, and plan referee support before the application windows open.
Scholarship Snapshot
- Status: Application Cycle Closed (last checked 2025-10-01)
- Official Listing: A*STAR Graduate Academy (AGS)
- Who It Targets: Final-year undergraduates and mid-term PhD/EngD candidates pursuing computing and information science pathways
- Eligibility: Singapore Citizens, Singapore PRs, and other nationals who meet Singapore autonomous university PhD or EngD entry requirements
- Tenable Institutions: NTU, NUS, SMU, SUTD
- Bond: No bond for Singapore Citizens and PRs; 3-year service commitment for other nationals
Award Components
- Up to four years of full tuition coverage at a Singapore autonomous university
- Monthly stipend pegged to A*STAR graduate scholarship rates
- Book, computer, conference, and thesis allowances across candidature
- Support for an overseas research attachment of up to 12 months
- Retroactive tuition reimbursement for mid-term awardees from Year 1 onwards
- Option to apply for the A*STAR International Fellowship after completing the degree to continue post-doctoral training overseas
Eligibility Highlights
- Academic track: Applicants must have, or be on track to graduate with, at least Second Upper Class Honours (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline and satisfy the host university's PhD or EngD admission criteria.
- Citizenship notes: Non-Singaporeans must complete (or be completing) their degree in a Singapore autonomous university before applying.
- Research focus: Demonstrate high research potential and motivation for careers in A*STAR, industry R&D labs, technology enterprises, spin-offs, or academia.
- Mid-term pathway: Candidates already enrolled in a PhD/EngD programme locally must have completed at least one semester, maintain excellent academic standing, and nominate their current supervisor as one of two referees.
- Referee readiness: Prepare two strong references that can attest to your research ability and collaborative experience.
Application Roadmap
- Review current AGS briefing notes and confirm your proposed research area aligns with A*STAR's computing and information science priorities.
- Shortlist A*STAR research institutes and potential supervisors; initiate conversations about project scope and lab fit.
- Compile academic transcripts, CV, publications, and a research proposal highlighting national impact, industry relevance, and technical novelty.
- Request referee support early, especially from your intended university supervisor and collaborators familiar with your research output.
- Submit the online application ahead of the stated deadlines, indicating preferred host university, research institute, and overseas attachment interests.
- Prepare for interviews and technical assessments that test research depth, communication, and long-term commitment to Singapore's R&D ecosystem.
Preparation Playbook
- Map how your research intersects with A*STAR's strategic domains such as healthcare AI, digital services, or advanced manufacturing.
- Build a portfolio of publications, conference posters, Git repositories, or prototypes that evidence technical execution.
- Strengthen quantitative and programming foundations relevant to your proposed CIS specialisation (e.g., machine learning, modelling, data systems).
- Align with industry partners or A*STAR joint labs to show understanding of applied, user-inspired research outcomes.
- Draft a high-level timeline that covers candidature milestones, overseas attachment options, and post-award obligations.
