Defence Merit Scholarship (Non-Military): 2026 Profile

Q: What does Defence Merit Scholarship (Non-Military): 2026 Profile cover?
A: Scholarship value, eligibility requirements, and bond expectations for MINDEF's Defence Merit Scholarship supporting civilian Defence Executive Officers across strategy, policy, and capability domains.

TL;DR\ MINDEF's Defence Merit Scholarship funds up to six years of study—tuition, allowances, exchanges, Master's support—and launches you into a civilian Defence Executive Officer career. Applications are open 1 Sep 2025 – 30 Apr 2026; expect multi-round interviews and a four- to six-year bond depending on study location.

Scholarship Snapshot

• Status: Application Window Open (1 Sep 2025 – 30 Apr 2026)
• Official Listing: Defence Merit Scholarship — Ministry of Defence
• Who It Targets: Aspiring civilian leaders keen to serve as Defence Executive Officers in diplomacy, policy, capability development, cyber, communications, finance, or manpower portfolios
• Eligibility: Singapore Citizens or PRs prepared to take up citizenship, strong A-Level/IB/Poly/NUS High/IB results, outstanding CCA leadership, and clear commitment to Singapore's defence mission (mid-term applicants accepted up to the penultimate year)
• Tenable Institutions: Top local universities (NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD) or approved overseas universities in the US, UK, or other English/non-English speaking destinations endorsed by MINDEF
• Bond: Four years for local pathways; six years for overseas study. Male scholars can credit five or ten months of full-time NS toward the bond, subject to a minimum effective service of 3.5 years

Award Components

Local pathway

• Full tuition fees and other approved academic charges from the point of award (retroactive payments allowed for mid-term offers)
• Annual maintenance allowance together with book, clothing, and computer grants
• One-time sponsorship for summer exchange or study programmes alongside approved leadership courses
• Mandatory eight-week internship rotation with MINDEF directorates such as Defence Relations, Finance, HR, National Education, or MINDEF systems, with mentorship from Defence Executive Officers

Overseas pathway

• Tuition and mandatory fees at approved international universities
• Overseas maintenance allowance, insurance, and allowances for books and computing equipment
• Return economy airfares for programme start, vacations, and approved attachments