Tun Dato Sir Cheng-Lock Tan MA Scholarship: 2026 Profile for Southeast Asia Researchers
Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)03 Oct 2025, 12:50 Z
TL;DR
ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute backs promising MA candidates in Southeast Asian studies with full tuition, travel, and research funding, in exchange for one year of post-graduation service. Secure a clear research agenda, line up two referees early, and be ready to demonstrate regional depth during selection interviews.
Scholarship Snapshot
- Status: Applications reopen annually (last checked 2025-10-03)
- Official Listing: ISEAS Scholarships and Fellowships
- Who It Supports: Singapore Citizens and PRs pursuing a Southeast Asia-focused Master of Arts at reputable local or overseas universities
- Discipline Focus: Area studies, political economy, history, or closely aligned humanities/social sciences on Southeast Asia
- Tenable Institutions: Autonomous universities in Singapore or recognised overseas programmes with strong Southeast Asian research resources
- Bond: One-year attachment to ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute upon graduation
Award Components
- Full coverage of tuition and compulsory university fees
- Monthly maintenance allowance for living costs throughout the MA candidature
- Book and thesis allowances to underwrite research expenses
- Conference or fieldwork funding to support archival work, oral history, or overseas site visits
- Medical insurance and return airfare for overseas placements when applicable
Eligibility Highlights
- Good honours degree (or equivalent professional qualification) in a relevant discipline such as history, anthropology, political science, or economics
- Strong academic track record and demonstrated interest in Southeast Asian issues through coursework, publications, or field experience
- Clear intention to pursue Southeast Asia-focused modules and research; proposal should show how findings benefit regional scholarship and policy understanding
- Ability to submit a full application package: CV, research proposal, statement of purpose, certified transcripts, and two academic referees
Application Roadmap
- Outline a research proposal that aligns with ISEAS's thematic priorities (politics, economics, socio-cultural change, or regional relations).
- Approach supervisors early to confirm graduate programme admission timelines and obtain conditional offers where possible.
- Secure two referees who can speak to your research rigour and regional expertise; brief them on submission deadlines.
- Assemble supporting documents-certified transcripts, certificates, writing samples, and a concise statement of purpose.
- Submit the full package to ISEAS admissions before the published deadline and prepare for a panel interview focusing on research viability and commitment to public scholarship.
Preparation Playbook
- Demonstrate familiarity with ISEAS publications such as ISEAS Perspective and Trends in Southeast Asia to show fit with institutional priorities.
- Build language or fieldwork readiness (e.g., Bahasa Indonesia, Thai) that matches the proposed research site.
- Map out how conference and fieldwork allowances will be used to advance your dissertation; include interim milestones.
- If targeting overseas programmes, prepare a comparative budget detailing tuition and living costs to confirm feasibility within the scholarship cap.
Useful Resources
- mailto:hr@iseas.edu.sg
