The President’s Graduate Fellowship (PGF) is a prestigious award for PhD candidates at the National University of Singapore who demonstrate exceptional promise or accomplishment in research. It provides comprehensive financial support including a monthly stipend, full tuition waiver, and additional research incentives over a typical award period of four years.
The fellowship is administered by the NUS Graduate School, which oversees graduate education and research at the National University of Singapore. NUS is a leading global university centered in Asia, committed to nurturing talent and advancing knowledge through innovative research and academic excellence.
President’s Graduate Fellowship Benefits
- SGD 4800 / Month for Singapore Citizens
- SGD 4400 / Month for Singapore Permanent Residents
- SGD 3900 / Month for All International Students
- Full waiver of tuition fees
- CPF contributions for Singapore Citizens on top of stipend
- NUSGS Research Incentive Award supplement
- Monthly allowance over 4 years
- One-time research allowance upon passing PhD Qualifying Examination
- One-off Settling Allowance: S$1,000 (for international students)
- One-off Air Travel Allowance: Up to S$750 for economy-class airfare to Singapore
President’s Graduate Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
- PhD Students
- Singapore Citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents, All International Students
- Scholarship holders can pursue any graduate programmes
- No specific academic pre-requisites.
- A good GPA in a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree.
- A well-crafted statement of purpose detailing research interests, career aspirations, and motivations.
- Letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees.
- A comprehensive CV highlighting academic accomplishments and pertinent experience.
- Standardized test scores such as the GRE (optional).
- Publications or involvement in research projects (optional).
- For non-native English speakers, proficiency demonstrated through tests like TOEFL or IELTS (optional).
How to Apply for President’s Graduate Fellowship
- Applicants may apply for the scholarship within their admissions application through GradApp.
- Fulfill additional scholarship application requirements stated in GradApp.
- Further application procedures will be advised when the applicants are assessed to be eligible.
- Excellent PhD applicants have to be nominated by the Faculty/Department.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the President’s Graduate Fellowship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply based on information from the official NUS Graduate School website.
What is the President’s Graduate Fellowship?
The President’s Graduate Fellowship (PGF) is awarded to PhD candidates who show exceptional promise or accomplishment in research. It is a fully funded award provided by the NUS Graduate School, offering a monthly stipend, full tuition waiver, and additional allowances over a typical period of four years.
Who is eligible to apply for the President’s Graduate Fellowship?
The fellowship is for PhD students. Eligible nationalities include Singapore Citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents, and All International Students. There are no specific academic pre-requisites, but applicants should have a strong academic background and research potential.
What are the financial benefits of the President’s Graduate Fellowship?
Benefits include a monthly stipend (SGD 4800 for Singapore Citizens, SGD 4400 for PRs, SGD 3900 for International Students), full tuition waiver, CPF contributions for citizens, a research incentive award, settling and air travel allowances for international students, and a one-time research allowance after passing the PhD Qualifying Examination.
How do I apply for the President’s Graduate Fellowship?
Applicants can apply for the scholarship within their PhD admissions application through the GradApp portal. They must fulfill additional scholarship requirements stated there. Excellent applicants are nominated by their Faculty/Department, and further procedures are advised upon eligibility assessment.
What is the application deadline for the President’s Graduate Fellowship?
The official website states that application deadlines vary by faculty. For August (Semester 1) or January (Semester 2) intake, applicants should refer to the respective faculty websites for specific application deadlines. No single universal deadline is provided.
Is there a service commitment or bond for fellowship recipients?
International students admitted from AY2014/2015 are required to perform 312 hours of teaching duties under the Graduate Assistantship Programme. There are no specific bond requirements mentioned for the fellowship.
What is the duration of the President’s Graduate Fellowship award?
The fellowship is tenable for one year initially and may be renewed each semester subject to satisfactory progress, with a maximum period of four years. The typical award period for PhD students is 4 years.
What supporting documents are required for the application?
Compulsory items include a good GPA in a relevant degree, a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and a comprehensive CV. Optional items that strengthen the application are GRE scores, publications/research experience, and English proficiency test scores for non-native speakers.
Who administers the President’s Graduate Fellowship?
The fellowship is administered by the NUS Graduate School, which is the graduate school of the National University of Singapore. They oversee the award, stipend payments, and related administrative matters.
When will applicants be notified of the award outcome?
Successful applicants will be informed of the outcome sometime in May for admission in August or October for admission in January. They are required to sign a letter of undertaking agreeing to the terms and conditions.
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