Lee Kuan Yew PhD Scholarship 2026 (Fully Funded in Singapore) Deadline: 10 December, 2025

Applications are now open for the Lee Kuan Yew PhD Scholarship Program. It is a fully funded doctoral award offered by the National University of Singapore to outstanding candidates. The scholarship is open to both domestic and international applicants with strong academic and research potential.

The award includes full tuition coverage and a monthly stipend of up to SGD 3,300 (after passing the qualifying exams). Extra CPF contributions are also offered to Singapore citizens. The scholarship offers various benefits depending on the applicant’s status. But the primary goal is to support exceptional students who wish to advance their research in public policy and governance.

Applicants with a Master’s degree and preferably relevant work experience are eligible for the scholarship. It is designed to nurture future leaders in public policy who can contribute to the development of global and regional policies.

Are you ready to apply for the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy PhD Scholarship at NUS? Follow the step-by-step guide of Scholarships Edge to know about benefits, eligibility, required documents and how to apply.

Lee Kuan Yew PhD Scholarship Details:

Benefits of the LKYSPP Scholarship:

• Full Tuition Fee Covered for PhD studies
• Monthly Stipend (pre-Qualifying Exam):
  • Singapore Citizens: SGD 2,800
  • Singapore Permanent Residents: SGD 2,400
  • International Students: SGD 2,200
• Stipend Increase after Qualifying Exam: All categories receive an additional SGD 500/month
• CPF Contributions: On top of the stipend for Singapore citizens
• No Service Bonds or Requirements: Scholars are free of service obligations

Eligibility Criteria of Lee Kuan Yew PhD Scholarship 2026:

• Nationality: Open to Singapore Citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents, and international students
• Academic Qualifications: A relevant Master’s degree is required
• Applicants with at least 2 years of work experience are preferred.
• Academic Interests: Strong background in social sciences and demonstrated interest in international affairs/public policy

Required Documents for Lee Kuan Yew PhD Scholarship 2026:

1. Academic Transcripts and Certificates
   • Upload your degree certificates and transcripts, including the grading scale.
   • Certified/notarised copies accepted if originals are not available.
   • Provide English translations if needed.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   • Include academic, professional, and personal achievements with dates, responsibilities, and supervisor’s details.
3. Test Scores
   • GRE is strongly encouraged.
   • If the degree was not taught in English and a GRE is not submitted, then a TOEFL or IELTS score is required.
   • Suggested TOEFL: overall 100 with Writing subscore of 27; IELTS: overall 7.0 with Writing score of 7.0.
4. Two Academic Reference Letters
   • Must be academic in nature.
   • Referees should provide insight into your academic ability and research potential.
5. Research Proposal (~2,000 words, excluding bibliography)
   • Include key research question, significance, literature overview, methodology, and a tentative title.
6. Statement of Purpose (≤1,000 words)
   • Discuss your motivation for a PhD, research interests, background, choice of LKYSPP, and career plans.
7. Writing Sample
   • Submit a sample of academic or published writing.
8. Supervisor Preferences
   • Provide up to three preferred LKYSPP faculty supervisors (full-time professors only).
   • Explain the reasons for your choices and mention whether you have obtained their consent.

Note: For further clarification, also refer to the official Application Guide and Checklist.

How to apply for the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy PhD Scholarship:

1. Application Window
   • The application period for PhD admission and scholarships at NUS runs annually from August 1 to December 10.
2. Application Platform
   • Apply via NUS GradApp, indicating interest in both admission and the scholarship.
3. Complete the Online Application
   • Gather all necessary documents and begin filling out the required details.
   • Upload all required files via the application portal by the deadline.
   • Provide referee details; the system will automatically contact them.
4. Shortlisting & Interview
   • Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview as part of the selection process.
5. Outcome
   • Scholarship decisions usually follow the admission process. (While exact dates aren’t specified, scholarships often align with admission timelines—typically between late December and early next year.)