DSTA Merit Scholarship 2026: Current Local Undergraduate Profile
At a glance
Q: What is the DSTA Merit Scholarship?
A: It supports an eligible undergraduate at a local university with sponsorship of undergraduate studies, an annual allowance, overseas-exchange sponsorship, internships, mentoring, and DSTA event invitations. DSTA publishes one year of bond for every year of sponsorship.
TL;DR This is a local-university award for a current undergraduate, not the flagship DSTA Scholarship for local or overseas study. DSTA's page still says applications are open until 1 May 2026, but that date has passed. Confirm the next intake. The one-for-one bond depends on how many years are sponsored.
Last reviewed: 19 July 2026.
Current application status
DSTA's live scholarships page still says that the DSTA Merit Scholarship application period is open until Friday, 1 May 2026. That date has passed.
Treat the displayed cycle as closed unless DSTA updates the page or confirms otherwise. Do not reuse 1 May as a forecast for a later intake. The current page links to a BrightSparks application form and lists LMAYSIN@dsta.gov.sg for enquiries about this award.
Who is eligible?
DSTA currently lists:
- Singapore Citizenship;
- current undergraduate study in engineering, computing, information, digital technologies, mathematics, or science;
- good academic and CCA track records; and
- passion for science and technology.
The linked DSTA brochure describes the award as being for an undergraduate pursuing engineering, digital, mathematics, or science courses at a local university.
The public sources reviewed do not publish:
- a named list of eligible universities;
- a minimum GPA, grade, rank point, IB score, or CCA-point cutoff;
- a required leadership title or activity count;
- a minimum or maximum sponsored period;
- a final year or semester by which an applicant must apply;
- an annual quota or acceptance rate; or
- a guaranteed outcome from a project, competition, internship, or referral.
Confirm that your exact university, course, semester, and remaining study period are eligible before relying on the award.
What the award covers
DSTA's current page lists:
- sponsorship of local undergraduate studies and an annual allowance;
- sponsorship of an overseas exchange programme;
- enriching internship experiences; and
