MOE-Autonomous University Scholarship (Mid-Term): 2026 Profile

TL;DR\ Already thriving in university research and want to become faculty? The MOE-AU Scholarship (Mid-Term) funds the rest of your degree, sets up mentorship with your host university, and guarantees a START PhD—all in exchange for returning as academic staff.

Scholarship Snapshot

• Status: Open Until 15 Mar 2026 (last checked 2025-10-14)
• Official Portal: MOE-AU Scholarship (official)
• Who It Targets: Singaporean undergraduates (not yet in final year) at local or overseas universities who aim to pursue academic careers in Singapore's AUs
• Eligibility: Excellent university results, demonstrated research aptitude, and clear commitment to university teaching and scholarship
• Tenable Institutions: NUS, NTU, SMU, SUSS, SIT, SUTD, plus approved paired overseas partners
• Bond Guide: 4-year local, 5-year non-English overseas, or 6-year English-speaking overseas bond served as faculty after START PhD completion

What the Mid-Term Award Provides

• Full coverage of remaining undergraduate tuition and compulsory fees, including accepted overseas immersion or exchange programmes
• Maintenance allowances, fieldwork funding, and economy airfare if you are studying overseas
• Academic mentorship from paired AU faculty, including research assistantships and opportunities to co-author papers
• Automatic nomination for START PhD sponsorship upon graduation, subject to performance benchmarks
• Support for conference participation, summer schools, and academic networking to strengthen your research portfolio

Eligibility & Preparation Checklist

• Have completed at least one semester of undergraduate study with a CAP/GPA in the top decile of your cohort
• Demonstrate sustained research involvement (UROPs, lab assistant roles, capstone projects) with strong supervisor endorsements
• Clarify your intended academic discipline and how it aligns with the paired AU's strategic hiring needs
• Showcase leadership and service within academic communities (e.g., teaching assistants, student research committees)
• Be ready to commit to START's postgraduate pathway and eventual faculty service in Singapore

Application Timeline & Checklist

1. August – October 2025: Consult your university's scholarship office and potential AU mentors; compile research outputs and recommendation letters.
2. By 15 March 2026: Submit the mid-term application via PSC Gateway/MOE portal, indicating current university, graduation timeline, and preferred AU pairing.
3. Late March: Complete psychometric and analytical assessments; prepare a research statement outlining your academic interests and long-term goals.
4. April: Present at selection dialogues with MOE and AU faculty—expect to defend your research proposal and articulate teaching interests.
5. May: Attend final panel interviews focusing on resilience, public service motivation, and fit with the AU's faculty culture.
6. June onwards: Receive the scholarship offer, align your study plan with AU mentors, and map the path into START PhD sponsorship.

Selection Breakdown

• Research presentation: Deliver a concise overview of your current project or honours thesis, highlighting methodology, findings, and societal impact.
• Faculty dialogue: Engage in deep conversations with professors to assess your intellectual curiosity and collaborative spirit.
• Career motivation interview: Explain your commitment to academia in Singapore, balancing research ambitions with teaching responsibilities.
• Due diligence: Panels verify academic records, supervisor testimonials, and your willingness to commit to the START pipeline.

Bond & Career Pathway

• Continue your undergraduate studies with regular check-ins from MOE and AU mentors; expect tailored research assignments each semester.
• Transition into the START PhD, which provides stipend, tuition, and research support over 4–5 years.
• Serve your bond as a lecturer or assistant professor within the paired AU, contributing to teaching, curriculum design, and research output.
• Pursue postdoctoral opportunities only after discussing with MOE/AU leadership to manage bond obligations.
• Early departure triggers repayment of all undergraduate and postgraduate funding plus damages—seek guidance before accepting external offers.

Tips to Strengthen Your Mid-Term Application

• Build a publications or conference track record early—poster presentations or co-authored papers demonstrate momentum.
• Develop teaching exposure (tutorial facilitation, mentoring juniors) to show you can balance instruction with research.
• Align your research interests with national RIE2025 priorities or the AU's strategic initiatives to illustrate long-term relevance.
• Cultivate relationships with faculty mentors who can provide detailed recommendation letters and speak at selection panels.
• Prepare thoughtful questions about academic careers in Singapore; interviews are conversations as much as assessments.

Stay Updated

• Watch for START briefings and AU scholarship webinars that dive into discipline-specific expectations.
• Follow your paired AU's research centres and labs on social media to stay current on opportunities.
• Join scholar networks or Telegram groups (e.g., PSC Scholars, START alumni) to exchange preparation tips.