Graduate Research Fellowship

Overview

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) is a national scheme that aims to facilitate the engagement of outstanding early-career Singaporean social science and humanities researchers who have been accepted for their doctoral or postdoctoral training at leading overseas research or academic institutions.

The SSRC GRF aims to forge strong professional networks with promising early-career Singaporean social science and humanities researchers. This broadened network of Singaporean researchers based both locally and abroad facilitates a rich exchange of ideas between local and international scholars that strengthens Singapore’s research capabilities.

The SSRC GRF also aims to assist in the development of promising overseas-based early-career researchers with the provision of a small research grant and an opportunity to be mentored by an experienced researcher in the local Autonomous Universities (AUs). This will broaden the potential pipeline of Singaporean researchers who may eventually take up appointments within the local research ecosystem.

• SSRC GRF Infosheet 2025

• SSRC GRF Non Fundable Items 2025

• List of Past GRF Awardees

How to Apply

The 2025 Call for Applications has opened on 15 Jul 2025 and will close on 15 Sep 2025. All applications must be submitted to the host universities using the SSRC GRF application form available on the webpages listed below.

The results of the 2025 SSRC GRF Call will be announced in February 2026.

If you have any questions, please email the SSRC Secretariat at  MOE_SSRC_Secretariat@moe.gov.sg

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for applicants are as follows: 

1. Singapore Citizens

2. Outstanding undergraduate academic record (at least a bachelor’s degree with second upper honours or equivalent);

3. Applied or accepted for doctoral studies or postdoctoral training (or equivalent¹) at a leading overseas academic or research institution; and

4. Applicants should not be recipients of other scholarships supported by the Singapore Government e.g. Singapore Teaching and Academic Research Talent Scheme (START) PhD Scholarships and Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards.

¹ Applicants must provide supporting documents to show that their home university does not offer postdoctoral fellow positions, and their current position could be considered equivalent to that of a postdoctoral fellow.

Award Outcomes

1. SSRC GRF applicants in the last year of their PhD programme may be offered conditional awards should they have an offer for a suitable postdoctoral position which they would assume upon graduation. Holders of conditional awards will inform MOE and the AU should there be any changes to the pre-agreed postdoctoral training plans, for review.

2. SSRC GRF applicants who have applied but yet to secure a PhD programme or postdoctoral position may be offered in-principle awards by the AUs. The fellowship will only be confirmed when applicants have secured a place in the pre-agreed PhD programme or postdoctoral position. Applicants should update the AUs on their application status and provide supporting documentation by the acceptance deadline.

3. Prospective SSRC GRF awardees may only accept one (1) GRF offer from one (1) host AU at any point in time.

4. SSRC GRF awardees may apply for a second award after the end of the Term of their first award. However, an individual will be limited to a maximum of two (2) awards in total throughout their career (regardless of category). All applications for the award will compete on an equal basis.

5. Appeals for unsuccessful applications will not be considered.

Terms of the GRF

1. The terms of the SSRC GRF are as follows:

   1. Tenable for a period of two (2) years;

   2. Tenable for research in any social science and humanities discipline, although research on local issues of relevance is encouraged;

   3. Two categories of award: (A) Up to SGD 10,000 per award for doctoral students and (B) SGD 20,000 per award for postdoctoral fellows. The award may be used for travel or other research-related expenses;

   4. Awardees will be assigned a mentor who is an experienced researcher in local Autonomous Universities (AUs)² based on their proposed area of research, who can provide access to valuable academic and career guidance;

   5. Awardees will be required to return to Singapore at least once during the tenure of award to participate in engagement activities (e.g. research seminars) within the AU and with SSRC members; and

   6. Awardees must comply with reporting requirements stipulated by the host AU.

2. The SSRC GRF is bond-free, and host AUs are not obliged to hire GRF awardees as faculty members beyond the GRF tenure.

3. SSRC GRF awardees should hold a position either as a doctoral student or postdoctoral fellow (or equivalent) throughout the tenure of the award. SSRC GRF awardees are required to inform MOE through the host AU once this eligibility criterion is no longer met, and awards will be closed.

4. SSRC GRF awardees will inform MOE through the host AU should they receive other scholarships from the Singapore Government post-award. In such instances, the awards will be closed with effect from scholarship start date.

5. SSRC GRF awardees will inform MOE through the host AU immediately in the event that the ethics or other research-related approvals are withdrawn or suspended. MOE reserves the right to withhold funding if these approvals are not obtained, withdrawn or suspended.

6. Prospective SSRC GRF awardees may only accept one GRF offer from one host AU at any point in time.

²The participating AUs are Nanyang Technological University (NTU), National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore Management University (SMU) and Singapore University of Technology & Design (SUTD).