Singapore NRF Fellowship Class of 2027: Deadline, Funding & Eligibility

01 Singapore NRF Fellowship: Current Status

The National Research Foundation (NRF), Singapore runs the NRF Fellowship for outstanding early-career researchers who are ready to establish independent research programmes in Singapore. Researchers of all nationalities can compete, and the scheme covers science, engineering, technology and interdisciplinary research areas.

02 Funding and Career Structure

The Class of 2027 call offered a research grant of up to SGD 3.25 million over five years, inclusive of 30% general overheads. NRF states that the grant can support personnel, equipment, consumables and other research-related costs.

The SGD 3.25 million figure is a research-grant ceiling, not a personal salary. The public Call 19 documents do not prescribe one universal salary for all Fellows.

The award is contingent on the Fellow taking up a full-time appointment at an eligible Singapore host institution. The Call 19 Information Sheet states that the host institution’s support at the final stage should include a commitment to place the selected applicant in a tenure-track or equivalent position.

Researchers comparing this scheme with other early-career funding can also explore CareerAidHub’s Research Jobs and international postdoctoral fellowship opportunities.

03 Eligibility for the Class of 2027 Call

The current Call 19 documents provide more precise eligibility rules than older programme summaries. Applicants were expected to be outstanding early-career researchers of any nationality who were ready to move towards independent research leadership.

• Applicants should normally hold a PhD in a science or technology discipline.
• Applicants should have no more than seven years of post-PhD experience.
• The eligibility period is calculated from the date of PhD conferment to the grant-call closing date.
• Applicants should demonstrate strong research credentials and readiness for an independent research appointment.
• The proposed research should advance science or engineering and provide a credible fit with Singapore’s research environment.
• Successful awardees must take up an independent full-time research appointment in Singapore.

Can the seven-year limit be extended?

Yes, in specified circumstances. The Call 19 Information Sheet identifies maternity leave, paternity leave, medical conditions and caregiving responsibilities as situations for which an eligibility waiver may be requested from NRF.

What if the PhD was not completed by the application deadline?

The Call 19 FAQ states that applicants in Engineering and Computer Science could request an exception before the closing date. For other disciplines, the fellowship was normally restricted to PhD graduates.

Are clinician scientists covered?

The Call 19 FAQ directs clinician scientists towards the relevant talent-development schemes administered by Singapore’s National Medical Research Council rather than the NRF Fellowship.

04 Eligible Host Institutions

Eligible Singapore-based public research institutions identified in the current NRF documents include:

Do you need a host before submitting?

This is an important point. The Call 19 Information Sheet states that applicants do not need to be employed by a host institution when they apply.

The official FAQ also states that a Host Institution Letter of Support is not required with the initial application. Candidates who are shortlisted for the final interview are subsequently asked to obtain the required host support.

Researchers considering the faculty pathway created by schemes such as this can also review current international faculty positions on CareerAidHub.

05 Documents Required for Call 19

The Class of 2027 Information Sheet specified the following application attachments.

The proposal instructions for Call 19 specified Arial 12-point font, single spacing and normal margins. Highly novel or higher-risk projects could benefit from preliminary results where these help demonstrate feasibility.

Are recommendation letters required at submission?

No. Applicants could provide names and contact details for up to five referees in IGMS, but this was not mandatory at the application stage. Recommendation letters are requested directly from referees only if an applicant is shortlisted.

06 Application Process

Class of 2027 applications were submitted through Singapore’s Integrated Grant Management System (IGMS). The call opened on 12 February 2026 and closed on 13 May 2026 at 3:00 PM Singapore Time.

1. Confirm career-stage and disciplinary eligibility.
2. Develop an independent research programme with a clear scientific or engineering contribution.
3. Assess potential Singapore host environments and research fit.
4. Prepare the official registration form.
5. Prepare the detailed CV within the prescribed page limit.
6. Develop the research proposal according to the Call 19 format.
7. Prepare the comprehensive publication list.
8. Complete and submit the application through the official grant system before the call deadline.

NRF’s general grants architecture is evolving, and its broader grants pages now also reference the Research Grants Portal. Applicants for the next Fellowship cycle should follow the submission system specifically named in the new official call rather than assuming that the Class of 2027 procedure will remain unchanged.

07 Selection Process and Evaluation

NRF uses a three-stage selection process. Eligible applications are first circulated to prospective Singapore host institutions for longlisting. Longlisted candidates are then reviewed and shortlisted by the NRF Fellowship Evaluation Panel before final interviews.

The current Information Sheet identifies four important assessment areas:

• research track record and independence;
• letters of recommendation for shortlisted candidates;
• technical and scientific merit of the proposed research; and
• fit with Singapore and the selected host institution.

The published Call 19 schedule states that finalists are to be interviewed by the Fellowship Evaluation Panel in January 2027. Applicants should treat this as the published schedule and monitor official communications for any subsequent individual instructions.

Related opportunities can also be found through CareerAidHub’s research jobs and scientist positions resources.

08 Preparing for the Next NRF Fellowship Call

NRF states that Fellowship applications are normally invited once a year. However, as of 14 September 2026, the next call and its deadline have not been officially announced.

Candidates should therefore avoid treating the Class of 2027 dates as predicted dates for Class of 2028. Instead, preparation can begin without making assumptions about the next schedule.

1. Calculate your post-PhD eligibility period accurately.
2. Develop a research direction that demonstrates independence from doctoral or postdoctoral supervisors.
3. Identify Singapore institutions with facilities and expertise relevant to the proposed programme.
4. Keep a concise academic CV and complete publication record current.
5. Develop the scientific rationale, methods, milestones and research-risk strategy in advance.
6. Recheck the new official Information Sheet and FAQ when the next call is published because requirements can change between cycles.