A PhD award, not a generic Master's grant
The Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) is A*STAR's international PhD award. An official A*STAR Research feature describes it as the international dimension launched around 2007: overseas talent come to Singapore for a full PhD, historically at NUS or NTU, later expanded to SUTD and SMU. That is a different door from the A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (AGS), which the current scholarships site still lists with its own eligibility, stipend table, and a three-year service commitment for non-SPR foreigners.
A 2023 A*STAR SINGA brochure (accurate as of 1 November 2023) states the collaboration as A*STAR plus NTU, NUS, SMU, and SUTD. International candidates earn a PhD and conduct research at A*STAR and/or those universities. Some later A*STAR material has mentioned SIT. This handbook only treats a university as a current host if A*STAR still lists it. Confirm hosts on the current official scholarships site before you write a professor.
Checked on 22 September 2026: the old dedicated SINGA talent URLs, including a-star.edu.sg/SINGA and the supervisor directories under /talent/for-graduate-studies/, return 404 after A*STAR rebuilt the site. The live scholarships listing shows NSS, AGS, and the International Fellowship — not SINGA. The current applicant system at sms-applicant-app.a-star.edu.sg still names SINGA in its portal FAQ. NUS Graduate School still lists SINGA among awards that are not eligible for the Service Obligation scheme. Treat the award as live until A*STAR says otherwise, and take dates only from a current official page or from [email protected].
The step most listing sites get backwards
Blogs recycle a December close date and a monthly Singapore-dollar figure. This handbook will not. Official coverage language is tuition plus a monthly stipend (the 2023 brochure also lists a one-time airfare grant and a one-time settling-in allowance). Amounts change. Confirm them on A*STAR. Apply through the current official scholarship website and its applicant system — not an abandoned blog link to an older portal.
What this handbook covers
Eleven pages, including a combined planning checklist. Start with eligibility and the supervisor search. Do not treat a third-party deadline as official.
Eligibility
International BSc/MSc applicants, English, academic referees. SINGA is not AGS.
How to Apply
Current official A*STAR website and applicant system. Desktop browser. Two referees.
Deadlines
2027 intake. Dates TBC. Historical June / December pattern is not a 2026 calendar.
Documents
Portal uploads under 3 MB, referee emails, SINGA declarations. Confirm the live list.
Funding
Tuition plus monthly stipend. No invented Singapore-dollar figures. Confirm on A*STAR.
Find a Supervisor
A*STAR BMRC/SERC lists, NUS, NTU, SUTD. Official directory URLs 404'd on 22 Sep 2026.
Life in Singapore
Student's Pass via ICA, English-language labs, host housing. Not a cost-of-living blog.
FAQ
Official brochure answers on bond, direct PhD, shortlisting, and a second university form.
After Selection
Shortlist email, university enrolment, ICA Student's Pass. An award is not a pass.
Checklist
One planning tracker. Not an official A*STAR decision.
Official A*STAR site
If this handbook and A*STAR disagree, A*STAR wins.
Three things listing sites get wrong
There is no verified 2027 close date here
A 2023 brochure used 1 June (January intake, A*STAR and NTU only) and 1 December (August intake). That is a historical pattern, not a 1 December 2026 fact published on a live official page in September 2026.
Do not quote blog stipend numbers
Official language is tuition plus a monthly stipend. This handbook will not reprint third-party Singapore-dollar figures. Open A*STAR and read the current coverage line.
SINGA is not AGS
AGS is on the live scholarships site, with a published stipend table and a service commitment for some internationals. SINGA is the international graduate award. Do not fill the wrong form.
What official sources actually say
Official pages to keep open: scholarships listing, applicant portal, AGS, A*STAR Research on SINGA. Questions: [email protected].
Start with the hard filters
International applicant, research PhD, English, referees, and the right form. If you belong on AGS, this handbook will not help you.
Check Eligibility