NTU AI-for-X Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026: S$250,000 Grant, Eligibility & Deadline

NTU AI-for-X Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 at a Glance

The NTU AI-for-X Postdoctoral Fellowship supports researchers using artificial intelligence to advance scientific discovery across science, technology, engineering and mathematics, including medicine.

The programme is jointly supported by Nanyang Technological University and Singapore’s National Research Foundation. Selected fellows are co-funded through the NRF Postdoctoral Award framework.

Funding, Salary and Fellowship Benefits

The programme provides a S$250,000 research grant together with a competitive postdoctoral remuneration package and employment benefits.

The research grant is made available in alignment with the fellowship start date. Awardees prepare a budget-phasing plan for the approved research expenditure.

The grant may support areas such as:

• research staff and student helpers;
• materials and consumables;
• publication costs;
• equipment and computing resources;
• research-related travel; and
• other approved research operating expenses.

NTU states that research staff hired from the grant may not hold PhDs.

Four-year funding framework

Current NTU guidance states that fellowship funding spans four years in alignment with the AI4X-PDF employment contract.

If a fellow secures a tenure-track position at NTU or another institution in Singapore during the fellowship period, project funding may continue until the original project end date, subject to programme rules.

Who Can Apply?

PhD requirement

Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent in a STEM field that was conferred in 2023 or later.

Candidates who have not yet received their final PhD certificate may still apply if the degree will be formally conferred early enough for NTU’s administrative process and for them to start by 31 March 2027.

NTU suggests, as planning guidance, that candidates expecting degree completion should aim to have the PhD formally conferred around the end of December 2026.

No separate age limit

NTU does not impose a specific age requirement. The relevant early-career condition is the PhD-conferment window.

AI experience is not mandatory

Applicants do not need previous formal AI research experience. However, their proposal must clearly show how AI will be integrated to solve a scientific problem.

Nationality

The current programme does not specify a nationality restriction. NTU states that applications are assessed primarily on merit, research excellence, potential and impact.

Concurrent funding

Fellows generally cannot hold another fellowship with overlapping objectives and funding. NTU notes that any exceptions would be considered case by case under applicable NTU and NRF policies.

Project Mentor and AI Mentor Requirements

Project Mentor is required before application

Applicants must identify and contact an NTU faculty member who is willing to serve as their Project Mentor before submitting the fellowship application.

A Mentor Support Letter is mandatory. NTU does not prescribe a fixed template, but the letter should confirm the faculty member’s willingness to support the application and serve as mentor throughout the fellowship.

AI Mentor is arranged after selection

Applicants do not need to identify an AI Mentor before applying. Successful fellows may nominate an appropriate NTU AI specialist after the award, or NTU can assist in assigning one.

The Project Mentor provides disciplinary guidance while the AI Mentor supports the artificial-intelligence methodologies and integration required by the project.

What Research Can Be Proposed?

Applicants develop their own research title and project rather than selecting from a fixed list of NTU projects.

Applications are accepted across STEM disciplines, including medicine, where AI can make a substantive contribution to scientific discovery. NTU states that no specific AI-for-X research topic is prioritised over others; applications are assessed on merit.

A small number of projects may focus primarily on AI development. However, NTU strongly encourages proposals in which the principal research lies within a STEM domain and AI meaningfully advances scientific outcomes.

Each applicant may submit only one proposal per call.

Documents Required for the 2026 Application

• Cover letter.
• Comprehensive CV with Scopus Author ID and full publication list.
• Official PhD transcript or degree certificate in English.
• Research proposal using the current NTU template.
• Contact information for two referees, including the PhD supervisor.
• PDF copies of the applicant’s top three publications.
• Project Mentor support letter.

Research-proposal length

The main research proposal is limited to two pages. NTU’s current FAQ clarifies that references and appendices do not count towards the two-page principal-content limit.

If your PhD certificate is not yet available

Applicants may provide an institutional letter confirming their current academic status and expected graduation date, then supply the official degree certificate or transcript when available.

Referees

NTU asks for two referee contacts, and one must be the applicant’s PhD supervisor. The university contacts referees after the applicant submits the online application.

How Applications Are Evaluated

NTU’s current FAQ identifies multiple assessment dimensions rather than a simple publication-count threshold.

Evaluation may consider:

• clarity and quality of the research proposal;
• originality and scientific merit;
• strength and feasibility of the research approach;
• research achievements, honours and other recognition;
• potential for independent research leadership; and
• performance during the evaluation-panel interview.

Publication output and citation metrics may be considered but are only part of the broader assessment.

Remaining 2026 Applicant Briefing Sessions

NTU is offering online briefing sessions for applicants. As of 14 September 2026, the remaining advertised sessions are:

Registration is required. NTU provides the Microsoft Teams meeting details after successful registration.

How to Apply for NTU AI-for-X Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026

1. Confirm that your STEM PhD meets the 2023-or-later eligibility requirement.
2. Define a scientific problem for which AI can make a substantive research contribution.
3. Identify an NTU faculty member whose research expertise aligns with the proposed project.
4. Obtain the required Project Mentor support letter.
5. Prepare the two-page research proposal using NTU’s current template.
6. Prepare your CV, PhD evidence and top three publications.
7. Confirm two referees, including your PhD supervisor.
8. Complete the NTU online application.
9. Submit before 30 October 2026 at 23:59 Singapore Time (UTC+8).

The official application portal, programme page and FAQ are provided in the Official Sources section below.

CareerAidHub Applicant Guidance

Start with the scientific problem, not an AI technique

The programme is designed around AI-for-science. A stronger proposal explains the scientific bottleneck first and then demonstrates why AI is appropriate for overcoming it.

Choose the Project Mentor before writing the final proposal

The mentor letter is mandatory, and the proposed research should fit the NTU environment. Early discussion with the prospective Project Mentor can materially improve feasibility, access to infrastructure and research alignment.

Do not overstate prior AI experience

NTU explicitly permits applicants without an established AI background. Demonstrating a credible plan for AI integration and willingness to use the programme’s training and mentorship may be more useful than overstating technical expertise.

Plan for relocation

Successful fellows become full-time NTU research staff and must work on site in Singapore. Applicants currently employed elsewhere should account for notice periods, relocation and work-pass processing when evaluating whether they can start by 31 March 2027.

Researchers comparing other opportunities can explore CareerAidHub’s current postdoctoral fellowships and Postdoctoral Fellowships.