ISEAS PhD Scholarship: 2026 Southeast Asia Research Track

Q: What does ISEAS PhD Scholarship: 2026 Southeast Asia Research Track cover?
A: The ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute scholarship covers tuition, allowance, fieldwork/conference costs, insurance, return air passage (if applicable), and preliminary expenses, with a five-year post-PhD bond to conduct Southeast Asia research at ISEAS.

TL;DR ISEAS funds Singapore citizens for a Southeast Asia-focused PhD (local/overseas) covering tuition + allowances; you repay this with a five-year post-PhD bond at ISEAS (apply via Careers@Gov for the current intake).

• This is a funded PhD route with a five-year ISEAS bond: Check whether Southeast Asia research is your real long-term fit.
• The package covers study costs, but you need a strong proposal and policy-relevant research direction: Draft the research question before polishing the CV.
• Treat the application as both a scholarship and a future research job interview: For example, explain how your PhD topic could become an ISEAS policy brief or research project.

Need to compare this with other awards? Plug it into our Scholarship Matcher to filter by bond length, study stage, and sector focus before you apply.

Scholarship Snapshot

• Status: 2026 Careers@Gov listing is open and closes on 30 June 2026
• Official Listing: ISEAS PhD Scholarship
• Who It Targets: Singapore Citizens pursuing PhDs in economics, history, political science, international relations, sociology, anthropology, or other Southeast Asia-focused social sciences
• Eligibility: Consistently good academic records and readiness to carry out applied/policy-related research on Southeast Asia (preference for candidates already accepted into reputable universities)
• Tenable Institutions: Reputable universities overseas or in Singapore approved by ISEAS
• Bond: Five-year service commitment with ISEAS after completion

Award Components

• Tuition and other compulsory fees
• Monthly maintenance allowance
• Conference/fieldwork allowance
• Medical insurance
• Return air passage (if applicable)
• Preliminary expenses
• Five-year bond with ISEAS after completion

Eligibility Highlights

Reviewed by

Marcus Pang·Managing Director (Maths)