Lee Kong Chian Graduate Scholarships (NUS): 2025 Profile
Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)02 Mar 2025, 13:15 Z
TL;DR\ The Lee Kong Chian Graduate Scholarship is NUS's top PhD award—full tuition, S$3,300 stipend, travel and laptop grants, and no bond, but you'll need an outstanding research agenda and faculty backing to secure it.
Scholarship Snapshot
- Status: Dates not published for 2025 (check NUS Graduate Admissions portal)
- Official Portal: Lee Kong Chian Graduate Scholarships
- Who It Targets: Domestic and international PhD candidates across NUS faculties with excellent academic records and research potential
- Eligibility: Fulfil NUS PhD admission criteria, be eligible for MOE subsidy, and secure departmental nomination
- Bond: None, though scholars are expected to uphold exemplary academic conduct and research leadership
Funding & Development Pathway
- Financial package: Monthly stipend of S$3,300, full tuition and compulsory fees, plus one-off travel and laptop allowances.
- Academic ecosystem: Scholars gain priority access to conferences, professional development workshops, and the NUS Graduate Research Innovation Programme.
- Leadership expectations: Recipients often mentor junior researchers, lead labs, or contribute to faculty-level outreach and teaching.
Application Timeline & Selection Flow
- Apply for PhD admission: Submit to your target NUS faculty and express interest in the Lee Kong Chian Graduate Scholarship.
- Departmental nomination: Faculties shortlist top applicants based on research potential, interview performance, and faculty support.
- University-level interview: A central panel assesses research vision, societal impact, and leadership qualities.
- Award notification: Offers outline stipend details, reporting requirements, and opportunities for overseas conference funding.
Preparation Playbook
- Craft a compelling proposal: Define the problem statement, methodology, and contribution to Singapore, the region, or the global knowledge economy.
- Secure supervisor backing: Engage prospective supervisors early and align your project with their lab priorities.
- Showcase impact: Highlight publications, patents, fieldwork, or industry collaborations that illustrate your potential.
- Plan professional growth: Detail how you will leverage the stipend for conferences, equipment, or collaborations.
- Demonstrate leadership: Prepare examples of mentoring, committee service, or community science engagement.
