MDDI Information Service Scholarship: 2026 Profile

TL;DR\ The MDDI Information Service Scholarship backs aspiring strategists, writers, and digital storytellers who want to lead nationwide communications campaigns—secure it by pairing strong grades with a portfolio that shows public service instincts, bilingual reach, and comfort with data-led messaging.

Scholarship Snapshot

• Status: Open Until 15 Mar 2026 (last checked 2025-10-13)
• Official Portal: MDDI Information Service Scholarship
• Who It Targets: JC/IP, polytechnic, and university students (mid-term) ready to specialise in public communications
• Eligibility: Singapore Citizens and PRs; interviewers prioritise candidates who can represent Singapore on the global stage
• Tenable Institutions: NUS, NTU, SMU, SUSS, and approved overseas universities in Australia, the UK, and the United States
• Bond Guide: Expect about four years of service for local studies or up to six years if MDDI funds an overseas degree—confirm the exact tenure in your offer package

What the Scholarship Covers

• Full tuition and compulsory fees for approved courses in communications, digital media, data journalism, or related humanities/tech disciplines
• Monthly living allowance, hostel subsidy (where applicable), and one-off payments for laptop, books, and relocation
• Return airfare and pre-departure support if you pursue an overseas programme at an MDDI-endorsed university
• Structured attachments with MDDI communications teams, Gov.sg newsrooms, and Whole-of-Government campaigns during semester breaks
• Internship and mentorship pairing with senior directors so you build policy fluency before graduation

Development Journey After You Sign

1. Pre-university immersion – short attachments with the Strategy Group and Gov.sg social team to understand how national campaigns are planned and measured.
2. Undergraduate studies – MDDI funds your degree while keeping you on a personalised development plan that mixes analytics, storytelling, and crisis communication training.
3. Holiday postings – each break features rotations through media relations, digital engagement, and community outreach units to sharpen both bilingual and data skills.
4. Foundation posting post-graduation – you return to the Information Service as an Assistant Director, rotating between policy communications roles before specialising (e.g., crisis response, bilingual content, digital marketing science).

Application Timeline & Checklist

1. August–October 2025: Confirm that your target courses align with MDDI's approved list (communications, public policy, data & media, UX writing) and line up referees who can vouch for both academic and service track records.
2. Before 15 Mar 2026: Submit your application through the PSC Gateway or stated MDDI portal—prepare transcripts, CCA records, writing samples, and any analytics dashboards or campaign decks.
3. Late March: Complete written assessments that test news judgement, bilingual agility, and scenario planning under tight deadlines.
4. April: Attend panel interviews with directors from Communications, Digital Strategy, and Partnerships; expect questions on national issues, misinformation trends, and how you would brief Cabinet.
5. May onwards: Successful candidates receive conditional offers, then go through medical screening and a pre-award mentorship to refine study plans before bond signing.

Selection Breakdown

• Written exercise: Draft crisis statements, op-eds, and social media responses around live national issues; evaluators score clarity, tone, and ability to adapt for different audiences.
• Group discussion: Collaborate with fellow applicants to plan a cross-platform campaign—show how you balance analytics insights with stakeholder sensitivities.
• Final interview: Senior leadership probes your motivation for public service, ability to operate bilingually, and understanding of how MDDI partners with other ministries, statutory boards, and external media.

Bond & Career Commitments

• Service kicks off with a four-year local or five-to-six-year overseas bond served under the Information Service scheme.
• Expect to rotate across media relations, digital products, and community partnerships in your first two postings before taking on a specialist or leadership track.
• Overseas scholars may be redeployed to the Singapore Global Network or high-profile international desks in their early years before returning to headquarters.
• Early resignation triggers liquidated damages equal to tuition, allowances, and accrued benefits, so clarify repayment scenarios before signing.

Preparing a Competitive Application

• Build a portfolio that blends long-form analysis, social content, and data dashboards—show you can craft narratives and measure impact.
• Track national policy shifts (Budget, Forward Singapore, digital policy updates) and be ready to explain them in plain language for different audiences.
• Strengthen bilingual ability: assemble writing samples in English plus Mother Tongue to prove you can serve Singapore's multilingual public.
• Volunteer with community organisations or run digital campaigns for causes—you will need real-world stories that demonstrate empathy and stakeholder management.
• Practise situational judgement: read Gov.sg fact-checks and PSD case studies, then rehearse how you would correct misinformation without escalating tensions.

Stay Updated

• Revisit the official portal monthly for updated course lists, interview windows, or changes to the scholarship bond.
• Subscribe to MDDI's media releases and Gov.sg newsletters so you can reference live projects during interviews.
• If you hold an existing mid-term award, flag it in your application—MDDI can convert or stack funding but must vet all concurrent sponsorships before shortlisting.