NUS currently offers several visiting-scholar and academic-visitor routes across its institutes and faculties. Active options include the Centre for Asian Legal Studies, Asia Research Institute and Social Service Research Centre, with different eligibility, funding and timing requirements.
NUS Visiting Scholars and Academic Visitors 2026–27
The National University of Singapore hosts visiting academics through several schools and research centres rather than through one universal scheme. The most relevant current routes include law, Asian studies and social-service research.
| Unit | Programme | Current timing |
|---|---|---|
| Centre for Asian Legal Studies | Visiting Scholars Programme | Next application window: 1–31 December 2026 |
| Asia Research Institute | Visiting Scholars / Academic Visitors | Applications currently accepted |
| Social Service Research Centre | Visiting Programme | Apply at least 6 months before proposed visit |
Current Visiting Routes
Centre for Asian Legal Studies (CALS)
CALS accepts Visiting Scholars in two annual cycles. The next window is 1–31 December 2026 for scholars planning to begin visits between June and December 2027.
Applicants submit a one-page cover letter describing the proposed period, research project and relevance to CALS, together with a CV and publication record.
Asia Research Institute (ARI)
ARI offers two senior-faculty routes. Visiting Scholars normally hold a faculty appointment at their home institution and visit for one to two months on a self-funded basis. Academic Visitors also hold a faculty appointment but visit for less than two weeks, with ARI normally covering accommodation, economy airfare and a per diem.
Prospective applicants contact the leader of the most relevant ARI research cluster and submit a CV plus a one-page research plan.
Social Service Research Centre (SSR)
SSR welcomes scholars and academics from around the world for research collaboration. A prospective visitor must first identify an NUS faculty member willing to act as host and should apply at least six months before the proposed visit.
Eligibility
Eligibility is programme-specific:
- CALS: visiting scholars pursuing research relevant to the Centre’s work; visitors do not hold NUS faculty status.
- ARI: Visiting Scholars and Academic Visitors are aimed at senior faculty, typically Associate Professor level and above, with a current home-institution faculty appointment.
- SSR: scholars or academics with an identified NUS host and a defined research-collaboration plan.
Funding and Costs
| Route | Funding approach |
|---|---|
| CALS Visiting Scholars | Usually self-funded or funded by the visitor’s home institution; partial support may be available in exceptional cases. |
| ARI Visiting Scholars | Normally self-funded. |
| ARI Academic Visitors | ARI normally covers accommodation, economy airfare and per diem. |
| SSR Visiting Programme | No salary or financial payment; visitors generally arrange their own funding and off-campus housing. |
How to Apply
- Choose the NUS centre or programme that best matches your research area.
- Check whether the route requires a host, cluster leader or direct programme application.
- Prepare an updated CV with publications.
- Prepare a concise research plan or cover letter explaining objectives, dates, expected outputs and fit with the host unit.
- Submit according to the programme’s current timing and communication route.
- Plan visa, travel, accommodation and funding well in advance.
For SSR, applicants should contact a prospective host before submitting. For ARI, contact the relevant research-cluster leader. CALS uses defined annual application windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are NUS visiting scholar opportunities open in 2026?
Yes. Several NUS units maintain active visiting routes. CALS has a scheduled application window from 1 to 31 December 2026, while ARI and SSR use different application arrangements.
Are NUS visiting scholars considered faculty?
Not automatically. CALS explicitly states that its Visiting Scholars do not have faculty status.
Does NUS fund visiting scholars?
Funding depends on the route. ARI Academic Visitors receive specified support, while ARI Visiting Scholars and many CALS/SSR visitors are generally self-funded.
Do I need an NUS host?
For SSR, yes. ARI applicants contact the relevant research-cluster leader, while CALS follows its own programme application process.
Official Sources
| Status | Multiple active visiting routes |
|---|---|
| Next fixed window | CALS: 1–31 December 2026 |
| Last verified | 20 September 2026 |
