Social Science Research Council Graduate Research Fellowship

Social Science Research Council Graduate Research Fellowship (SSRC GRF)

Open for application. The SSRC GRF is an engagement tool targeting overseas Singaporeans at an early stage in their careers with the following objectives:

• Facilitate the engagement of outstanding early-career Singaporean social science and humanities researchers who have been accepted for their doctoral or postdoctoral training at leading overseas research or academic institutions;
• Forge strong professional networks with promising early-career Singaporean social science and humanities researchers to exchange ideas between local and international scholars, strengthening Singapore’s research capabilities; and
• Assist in the development of promising overseas-based early-career researchers to broaden the pipeline of Singaporean researchers who may eventually take up appointments within the local research ecosystem.

What The Scheme Offers

• A two-year research grant of up to SGD 10,000 for PhD students; and up to SGD 20,000 for postdoctoral fellows. The award may be used for travel or other research-related expenses.
• An opportunity to be mentored by an experienced researcher in a Singapore Autonomous University (AU), including Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

Required

Applicants are required to contact a potential NTU mentor prior to submission of the application. The mentor should be an experienced researcher based on the applicant’s proposed area of research, who can provide access to valuable academic and career guidance. Mentors may be nominated from the following NTU units:

• School of Humanities -
• School of Social Sciences -
• Nanyang Business School -
• National Institute of Education -
• S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies -

Eligibility Criteria

• Singapore citizens;
• Outstanding undergraduate academic record (at least a bachelor’s degree with second upper honours or equivalent);
• Applied or accepted for doctoral or postdoctoral training (or equivalent) at a leading overseas academic or research institution; and
• Applicants should not be recipients of other scholarships from the Singapore Government.

Applicants must provide supporting documents to show that their home university does not offer postdoctoral fellow positions, and their current position could be considered equivalent to that of a postdoctoral fellow.

Terms

• A two-year tenure for the award;
• Open to research in any social science and humanities discipline, with encouragement for local issues of relevance;
• Two award categories: (A) Up to SGD 10,000 for doctoral students and (B) SGD 20,000 for postdoctoral fellows. The award may be used for travel or other research-related expenses;
• For NTU applicants, contact and confirm an NTU mentor before submission. The mentor should be an experienced faculty member who can provide guidance;
• Awardees will be required to return to Singapore at least once during the tenure to participate in engagement activities within the AU and with SSRC members; and
• Awardees must comply with reporting requirements stipulated by the host AU.

The SSRC GRF is bond-free, and host AUs are not obliged to hire GRF awardees as faculty members beyond the GRF tenure. Prospective awardees may only accept one GRF offer from one host AU at any time. Recipients may reapply for a second award after the first term, with a maximum of 2 awards in total across their career. If awardees receive other Singapore Government scholarships post-award, they must inform MOE and the award will be closed with effect from the scholarship start date. Applicants in the final year of their PhD may receive conditional awards contingent on obtaining a suitable postdoctoral position, and must update the AUs on their status.

Timeline

• 15 July 2025: Call for SSRC GRF applications opens via the AUs
• 15 September 2025: Call for SSRC GRF applications closes
• February 2026: Conveyance of outcome of SSRC GRF call
• April 2026 – March 2028: Tenure of the 2025 SSRC GRF award

Application

Interested applicants should read the documents listed below, complete the application form, include all supporting documents, and send their applications via NTU Workday (Click the APPLY button on this page).

• Information Sheet
• Application Form
• Non-refundable Items

Contact:

Hiring Institution: NTU