Social Science Research Council Graduate Research Fellowship

Social Science Research Council Graduate Research Fellowship (SSRC GRF)

Objectives

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. This broadened network of Singaporean researchers based both locally and abroad facilitates a rich exchange of ideas between local and international scholars that strengthens Singapore’s research capabilities; and

Assist in the development of promising overseas
- based early-career researchers so as to broaden the potential pipeline of Singaporean researchers who may eventually take up appointments within the local research ecosystem.

What the Scheme Offers

The SSRC GRF offers the following:
A two-year research grant of up to SGD$10,000 for PhD Students; and up to $20,000 for Postdoctoral Fellows. The award may be used for travel or other research-related expenses; and An opportunity to be mentored by an experienced researcher in a Singapore Autonomous University (AU), including the Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
- School of Humanities
- School of Social Sciences
- Nanyang Business School
- National Institute of Education
- S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for applicants are as follows:

- 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

The terms of the SSRC GRF are as follows:

- Tenable for a period of two years;
- Tenable for research in any social science and humanities discipline, although research on local issues of relevance is encouraged;
- Two categories of award: (A) Up to SGD 10,000 per award for doctoral students and (B) SGD 20,000 per award for postdoctoral fellows. The award may be used for travel or other research-related expenses;
- Awardees will be required to return to Singapore at least once during the tenure of award 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 SSRC GRF awardees may only accept one GRF offer from one host AU at any point in time.

SSRC GRF recipients will inform MOE through the host AU once they receive other scholarships from the Singapore Government post-award, and the awards will be closed with effect from scholarship start date.

SSRC GRF applicants in the last year of their PhD programme may be offered conditional awards should they have an offer for a suitable postdoctoral position which they would assume upon graduation. Holders of conditional awards will inform MOE and the AU should there be any changes to the pre-agreed postdoctoral training plans, for review.

Timeline

February 2026 Conveyance of outcome of SSRC GRF call

April 2026 - March 2028 Tenure of the 2025 SSRC GRF award

Application

Information Sheet

Application Form

Non-fundable Items

Contact Details
For clarification, please contact

Hiring Institution: NTU