Social Science and Humanities Research Thematic Grant
Find out about the application process, themes, funding, eligibility and evaluation criteria of the SSHR-TG
Overview
The Social Science & Humanities Research Thematic Grant (SSHR-TG) is the first major initiative launched in 2016 by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), aimed at boosting social science and humanities research in areas of strategic relevance to Singapore and Asia.
Interested applicants are encouraged to read through the following sections which cover the application process, funding, eligibility and evaluation criteria of the SSHR-TG.
How to Apply
The 2026 Call for proposals was launched on 2 June 2026. All applications must be submitted through the respective Offices of Research (or equivalent) by 25 August 2026 at 5pm.
For information about past projects and awardees, click on the link below.
Themes
The 2026 SSHR-TG Call invites proposals which address the following themes using various perspectives in the social sciences and humanities, with special focus on understanding Singapore and its place in the region (ASEAN and the rest of Asia):
Theme 1: The Future of Society
Understanding issues relating to culture, society and community in the face of challenges arising from evolving local and global, social and political dynamics, population trends, as well as technological and economic shifts in work and lifestyles.
Theme 2: The Future Economy
Understanding how governments, firms and the workforce can be resilient to or take advantage of structural shifts in the global, regional and local economies, and evolving geopolitical, social, technological and economic trends.
Theme 3: Climate Change and the Environment
Understanding how economic activities and individual/collective behaviour affect climate change and other emerging environmental changes, the impact of such changes on social and economic life, and the regulatory, governance and behavioural measures that could be taken by governments, enterprises and communities to address them.
Theme 4: The Human Condition
Understanding issues relating to the human experience, values, philosophies, histories and cultures of Singapore and / or the region, including how these may have evolved over time and shape contemporary society.
Theme 5: The Geopolitics of a Changing World
Understanding how geopolitical developments impact the stability, security, development and cohesion of Singapore and/or the region.
Open Category
This is an open category to examine any topics of interest that are not covered by Themes 1 - 5, relevant to Singapore and the region, and approached using perspectives from the social sciences and humanities.
Funding Tiers
There are three funding tiers available:
Table 1: Details of Type A, Type B and Type C funding
Funding Tier | Project Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
Type A: S$100,000 to S$1.5M | 3 years | For smaller-scale investigator-led research in areas of strategic relevance |
Type B: S$1.5M to S$5M | 3 – 5 years | For large-scale research where research performers are encouraged to collaborate to pursue more ambitious inter-disciplinary research on issues of cross-cutting interests |
Type C: S$5M to S$10M |
Eligibility
Principal Investigators (PI) and co-PIs must hold a primary full-time appointment (defined as a minimum commitment of nine months per year) in the eligible Host Institution(s), at time of application, as well as the entire project duration.
The eligible Host Institutions are:
National University of Singapore (NUS)
Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)
Singapore Management University (SMU)
Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)
ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute (ISEAS)
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
Singapore-Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Centre
University of the Arts Singapore (UAS)
Prospective applicants may contact the Office of Research (or equivalent) in their respective Host Institutions for more information on the application process.
The SSHR-TG allows for joint submissions from eligible Host Institutions, subject to the eligibility of the applicants. Host Institutions that are eligible to apply for and receive the SSHR-TG may work in partnership or collaboration with any other organisations locally or overseas, subject to the conditions of the SSHR-TG.
Unless expressly allowed by MOE, the funds or any part thereof shall not be channelled to fund research and development activities overseas. Expenditure on overseas fieldwork must be specifically provided for in the research proposal and approved as part of the grant.
Evaluation Criteria
Submitted proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Academic Merit: Scientific and intellectual rigour, potential to create new and important knowledge, and quality of research design and methods.
Policy/Societal Impact: The potential benefits of the research to Singapore, and potential contribution to knowledge and practice.
Quality of Research Team: Capabilities and track record of the proposed research team, including inter-institutional and interdisciplinary collaborations.
Capability-Building: Potential to boost and catalyse the development of local social science and humanities research capabilities in Singapore, including the development of human capital and expertise in important fields and sectors.
Execution: Coherence in the proposed execution plans, feasibility of carrying out the research within the given timeframe, and the cost-effectiveness and value for money of the research.