DesignSingapore Scholarship: 2026 Profile
Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)03 Oct 2025, 19:55 Z
TL;DR\ The DesignSingapore Scholarship funds tuition, pre-study, travel, and living allowances for design undergraduates and postgraduates—with access to mentorship, industry placements, and the DesignSingapore Associates Network. Applications closed for 2025; expect a 2–5 year bond working in Singapore's design sector after graduation.
Scholarship Snapshot
- Status: Application Cycle Closed (subscribe for 2026 updates; last verified 2025-10-03)
- Official Listing: DesignSingapore Scholarship — DesignSingapore Council
- Who It Targets: Singapore Citizens and PRs (with NS completed for males) pursuing full-time undergraduate or postgraduate design programmes locally or overseas
- Eligibility: Evidence of creativity, design leadership, and impact potential—supported by portfolio/case studies, references, and admission to a reputable design-related course (including emerging intersections in sustainability, digital, or care)
- Tenable Institutions: Recognised Singapore or overseas universities offering design disciplines ranging from product and communication design to service design, curatorial practice, and hybrid design-tech pathways
- Bond: Overseas sponsorship of 3–4 years ⇒ 5-year bond; overseas programmes under three years ⇒ 3-year bond; local programmes of 3–4 years ⇒ 3-year bond; local programmes under three years ⇒ 2-year bond
Award Components
- Tuition fees and compulsory charges for the approved degree
- Pre-studies allowance plus annual living and travel allowances (including flights for overseas scholars)
- Access to DesignSingapore Council assignments, industry introductions, and curated internships
- Membership in the DesignSingapore Associates Network for peer collaboration and continuous professional development
- Dedicated Dsg support team to monitor progress and facilitate opportunities across public and private sector design initiatives
Eligibility Highlights
- Citizenship: Open to Singapore Citizens and PRs (PRs must be prepared to deepen roots in the local design industry).
- Programme fit: Full-time undergraduate or postgraduate design-related course—traditional disciplines (industrial, visual communication) or emergent fields (design research, service design, sustainability, digital experiences, curatorial practice).
- Experience & potential: Portfolio or case studies demonstrating innovation, leadership, and contributions to the design ecosystem.
- Professional commitment: Willingness to serve the Singapore design sector after graduation, fulfilling the required employment bond in a design-related role with a Singapore-registered company.
Application Roadmap
- Secure admission (or a conditional offer) to a design-related programme in Singapore or overseas.
- Prepare portfolio/case studies, CV, transcripts, proposed study plan, and two recommendation letters addressing your impact on Singapore's design sector.
- Submit the online application through the Good Grants portal during the annual window (usually Q1), naming documents per the official convention and ensuring every mandatory attachment is included.
- Respond promptly to any clarifications—the council disqualifies incomplete or late submissions even if the window remains open.
- Shortlisted candidates attend up to two selection interviews in May to present their portfolio, study vision, and contribution plan.
- Successful applicants sign scholarship agreements in June/July and are onboarded into the DesignSingapore Associates Network before departure or matriculation.
Preparation Playbook
- Assemble a cross-disciplinary portfolio highlighting original concepts, research depth, prototyping, and community impact.
- Document leadership roles (studio leads, design sprints, hackathons) that show influence beyond classroom assignments.
- Articulate how your chosen programme intersects with national priorities—e.g., sustainability, digital services, healthcare design, inclusive environments.
- Engage current DesignSingapore Scholars or Associates to understand expectations, mentorship opportunities, and career pathways.
- Draft a post-graduation employment plan that maps bond fulfillment to Singapore-based design studios, agencies, or public sector innovation teams.
Useful Resources
- https://share.hsforms.com/150Uq5qu0TxSB7spI0uASoAnm6y5 (mailing list for scholarship updates)
