President's Graduate Fellowship Documents Required 2026
Required Documents Checklist
- Academic Transcripts (undergraduate and postgraduate)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting academic accomplishments and pertinent experience
- Statement of Purpose detailing research interests, career aspirations, and motivations for choosing the program
- Research Proposal demonstrating strong research potential and originality
- Letters of Recommendation from academic or professional referees
- Standardized Test Scores (e.g., GRE), if applicable
- English Language Proficiency Certificates (e.g., TOEFL or IELTS) for non-native English speakers
DBT Bank Seeding Warning
Your primary bank account must be active, seeded with your Aadhaar card, and mapped on the NPCI mapper. The government disbursements are made exclusively via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
FAQs for President's Graduate Fellowship
Q.Can I directly apply for the President's Graduate Fellowship?
No, the President's Graduate Fellowship is by nomination only. Eligible candidates are identified and nominated by their faculty, department, or graduate programme during the PhD admission process to a full-time PhD program at NUS. You should indicate your interest during your PhD application.
Q.What does the President's Graduate Fellowship cover financially?
The fellowship provides a full tuition fee waiver, a monthly stipend ranging from S$3,000 up to S$4,800 (including the NUSGS Research Incentive Award), a one-time airfare allowance (up to S$750) for eligible international students, and a one-time settling-in allowance.
Q.What are the academic requirements to be considered for the fellowship?
Applicants should demonstrate outstanding academic excellence and research promise, typically possessing at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) or Honours (Distinction) in their undergraduate or postgraduate studies, or an equivalent strong academic record. A high GPA and strong research potential are key factors.
Q.Is there a service bond associated with the President's Graduate Fellowship?
The President's Graduate Fellowship itself does not impose a service bond. However, international students who receive government subsidies for their studies in Singapore typically undertake a Service Obligation Scheme, requiring them to work in a Singapore-based company for three years after graduation. As the PGF provides full tuition fee coverage, it generally negates the need for a separate government subsidy that would incur a service bond.