President's Graduate Fellowship
National University of Singapore (NUS) · All India
| Scheme Name | President's Graduate Fellowship |
| Provided By | National University of Singapore (NUS) |
| Eligibility Summary | PhD · No income limit |
About the Program
Comprehensive guide for President's Graduate Fellowship. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
S$3,900,/mo (approx. ₹42.6 Lakh+)
The President's Graduate Fellowship (PGF) for international students provides an enhanced monthly stipend of S$3,900, which translates to approximately ₹239,850 per month or ₹2,878,200 annually (based on an approximate exchange rate of 1 SGD = 61.5 INR). The fellowship also includes a full waiver of tuition fees at NUS, a one-off settling-in allowance of S$1,000 (approximately ₹61,500), and a one-off air travel allowance of up to S$750 (approximately ₹46,125) for a single-trip economy-class airfare from the student's home country to Singapore. Additionally, recipients from the AY2023-24 intake onwards are eligible for the NUSGS Research Incentive Award, which comprises an additional monthly allowance over four years and a one-time research allowance upon passing the PhD Qualifying Examination. Stipends are disbursed monthly. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts is not applicable as this is a scholarship from a Singaporean university.
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Nationality:Open to all nationalities.
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Degree Level:Must be admitted as a full-time candidate for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
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Academic Record:Applicants must have an outstanding academic record, demonstrating exceptional promise or accomplishment in research. This typically includes graduating with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) / Honours (Distinction) or equivalent in their undergraduate or postgraduate studies.
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Current Scholars:Current NUS Research Scholars who have passed the PhD Qualifying Examination (QE) are also eligible for consideration.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | PhD |
| Course / Stream | PhD |
| Income Limit | No income bar |
| Category / Caste | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory 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
Selection Process
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Candidates for the President's Graduate Fellowship are selected by nomination only
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direct applications for the fellowship are not accepted
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The University or the relevant Faculty/Department identifies and nominates outstanding PhD candidates based on exceptional promise or accomplishment in research
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Eligibility requires applicants to be admitted or to be eligible for admission as a full-time PhD candidate at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and to demonstrate a strong academic record, typically with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) / Honours (Distinction) or equivalent in their undergraduate or postgraduate studies
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Key factors considered include academic transcripts, curriculum vitae highlighting research outputs and accomplishments, a research statement, and letters of recommendation.
Renewal Policy
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The fellowship is initially awarded for one year and may be renewed each semester or annually, subject to the scholar's satisfactory academic and research progress and the recommendation of the Faculty
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The maximum duration of the award is four years
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International students admitted from Academic Year 2014/2015 onwards are required to complete 312 hours of teaching or teaching-related duties under the Graduate Assistantship Programme (GAP) over their scholarship tenure
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The total time spent on GAP and any other form of paid or unpaid work must not exceed 16 hours per week.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
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Meet Eligibility Criteria * Ensure you meet the academic requirements for a full-time PhD program at NUS, including a strong academic record (typically at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) / Honours (Distinction) or equivalent). * Demonstrate exceptional promise or accomplishment in research. * Be prepared to reside in Singapore for the duration of your studies.
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Apply for PhD Admission at NUS * As the PGF is by nomination only, you cannot apply for it directly. Your primary step is to submit a strong application for PhD admission to your desired faculty or department at NUS. * Prepare all required documents, including academic transcripts, degree certificates, curriculum vitae, a research statement, and two to three academic recommendation letters. English language proficiency test results (TOEFL or IELTS) are also typically required for international students. * Strong evidence of quantitative, verbal, and analytical skills (e.g., through GRE scores) and research experience will significantly strengthen your PhD application.
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University Nomination * If your Faculty or Department identifies you as an outstanding candidate during the admission review process, they will nominate you for the PGF. You do not need to take any additional steps for the scholarship application. * The NUS Graduate School will review nominations and make final decisions.
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Notification of Award * Successful applicants will be notified of the PGF award concurrently with their admission offer. * Notifications typically occur in May for August intake and in October for January intake.
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Claiming Allowances (for International Students)** * Upon registration at NUS, international students must submit their airfare claim within one month of the travel date. * Use the official PGF claim form and email softcopies with supporting documents (e.g., receipts/invoices for airfare) to gradenquiry@nus.edu.sg with the subject line: “Submission of PGF Airfare Claim – [Name of School/Faculty]”.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Can I directly apply for the NUS President's Graduate Fellowship?
No, you cannot directly apply for the President's Graduate Fellowship. It is awarded by nomination only. You must first apply for and be admitted to a full-time PhD program at the National University of Singapore. Your Faculty or Department will then nominate exceptional candidates for the fellowship during the admission review process.
What is the monthly stipend for international students under this fellowship?
For international students, the President's Graduate Fellowship provides a monthly stipend of S$3,900. This amount is equivalent to approximately ₹239,850 per month based on an exchange rate of 1 SGD = 61.5 INR. This is in addition to a full tuition fee waiver and other one-off allowances.
What are the conditions for renewing the President's Graduate Fellowship?
The fellowship is initially granted for one year and is renewable each semester or annually for a maximum of four years. Renewal is contingent upon the scholar's satisfactory academic and research progress, along with a positive recommendation from their Faculty. Additionally, international students are required to complete 312 hours of teaching or teaching-related duties under the Graduate Assistantship Programme during their scholarship tenure.
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IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official National University of Singapore (NUS) website before final submission.