MDDI Information Service (Translation) Scholarship: 2026 Comms & Language Track
Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)12 Oct 2025, 10:00 Z
TL;DR
MDDI's translation scholarship funds local or overseas language and communications degrees, includes extensive attachments, and bonds you to government communications roles. Demonstrate bilingual mastery, policy awareness, and a passion for public storytelling.
Scholarship Snapshot
- Status: Open Until 15 Mar 2026 (last checked 2025-10-13)
- Official Portal: MDDI Information Service (Translation) Scholarship
- Who It Targets: Polytechnic and pre-university students (plus undergraduates not in final year) pursuing translation, linguistics, media, or communications degrees
- Eligibility: Singapore Citizens/PRs with strong bilingual ability, excellent academics, robust CCAs, and leadership in communications-oriented activities
- Tenable Institutions: NTU, NUS, SMU, overseas universities with approved translation/communications programmes
- Bond: Typically 4 years for local study, extending to 5–6 years for overseas pathways
Award Coverage
- Tuition and compulsory fees for approved programmes.
- Maintenance allowance and book grants.
- Return airfare and allowances for overseas scholars.
- Sponsored attachments and professional training in translation, media relations, and digital communications.
Scholar Journey
- Undergraduate phase: Language immersion, newsroom/agency internships, plus attachments to government media centres.
- Post-graduation: Rotations through translation units, public communications, and digital engagement teams across government.
- Professional development: Leadership programmes, specialised translation training, and secondments with international partners or media outlets.
Application Roadmap
- Dec 2025 – Mar 2026: Submit application (transcripts, language proficiency evidence, portfolio) via scholarship portal.
- Mar – Apr 2026: Complete written tests covering translation accuracy, summarisation, and bilingual comprehension.
- Apr – May 2026: Attend interviews with MDDI panels; expect policy scenarios and translation exercises.
- Jun onwards: Offers released; scholars matched to mentors and pre-departure training.
Preparation Tips
- Build a translation portfolio (news summaries, speeches, editorial work) across English and Mother Tongue languages.
- Stay up to date on national policies and digital trends to contextualise translations.
- Take part in communications competitions, media internships, or volunteer translation projects.
- Practise simultaneous and consecutive interpretation, focusing on clarity and cultural nuance.
