Introduction
Apply now for the Singapore-Southeast Asia Fellowship (S-SEAF) 2026, a fully funded research fellowship offered by A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), one of Singapore’s most respected public research bodies. The deadline to apply is 1 August 2026, and award results will be announced in November 2026.
This fellowship is open to researchers in STEM fields , both from Southeast Asia who want to come to Singapore, and Singapore-based researchers who want to work in other Southeast Asian countries. There are two directions you can apply for, and both are fully funded. The fellowship covers your monthly salary (up to a set cap), a living allowance of S$2,000 per month, and a return economy-class airfare ticket. There is no application fee to apply.
The fellowship lasts up to two years, though shorter attachments of at least six months are also considered in certain research areas. To be eligible, you must hold a PhD in a STEM field and meet the nationality requirements depending on which direction you are applying for. Proposals focused on Infectious Diseases are given special priority, though researchers from all STEM backgrounds across four major national research domains are welcome to apply.
If you are a post-PhD researcher looking to build long-term research connections between Singapore and Southeast Asia, this is one of the most structured and well-supported opportunities in the region right now.
Key Details:
- Fellowship Name: Singapore-Southeast Asia Fellowship (S-SEAF)
- Offered By: A*STAR , Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
- Degree Level: Post-PhD (Doctorate already completed)
- Host Country: Singapore (for inbound fellows) or Southeast Asian countries (for outbound fellows)
- Fellowship Duration: Up to 2 years (minimum 6 months for certain research areas)
- Application Deadline: 1 August 2026
- Award Results: November 2026
- Funding Type: Fully Funded
- Application Fee: None
- Open To: Citizens of ASEAN countries (for inbound) and Singapore Citizens or PRs (for outbound)
- Fellowship Pathways: Two , Inbound S-SEAF and Outbound S-SEAF
- Contact: SSEAF@a-star.edu.sg
What You Get From This Fellowship:
This fellowship does not just give you money and send you somewhere. It is a structured programme that provides real professional support and financial coverage so you can focus entirely on your research. Here is what you actually receive:
- Monthly salary support — Your salary is set by your host institution (for inbound fellows) or home institution (for outbound fellows) and is funded by S-SEAF up to a defined cap. You do not negotiate this with A*STAR directly; your institution handles it, and S-SEAF reimburses them.
- Monthly living allowance of S$2,000 — This is a fixed amount paid every month on top of your salary, specifically to help you manage daily living costs in your host country.
- Return economy-class airfare — One return flight ticket between your country of residence and the country where your host institution is located. This is covered once for the full fellowship period.
- Mentorship from a host supervisor — You are not placed in a lab and left alone. Every fellow works directly with a principal investigator or host supervisor who helps develop your proposal and guides you throughout the fellowship.
- Institutional support for visa and relocation — The host institution assists with visa arrangements and relocation logistics, which removes a significant amount of stress from the transition process.
- Opportunity to publish and build your research profile — Fellows are expected to acknowledge S-SEAF in their publications, which means your work becomes part of a recognised regional research programme. This adds credibility to your CV and research portfolio.
- Access to Singapore’s research infrastructure — For inbound fellows, this includes A*STAR research institutes, autonomous universities, academic medical centres, and national research or clinical centres , some of the most well-equipped research environments in Asia.
- Potential for follow-on collaborations — The programme is designed to build long-term partnerships, not just one-off visits. Many research connections formed during the fellowship are expected to continue beyond it.
Who Can Apply — Eligibility Criteria:
The eligibility rules differ depending on whether you are applying for the inbound or outbound pathway.
For both pathways, all applicants must:
- Hold a PhD degree in a STEM discipline
- Be fluent in written and spoken English
- Be employed by a Singapore research institution for the entire duration of the fellowship
For Inbound S-SEAF (Southeast Asia → Singapore):
- Must be a citizen of an ASEAN country
- Singapore Permanent Residents are not eligible for this pathway
- Researchers currently based outside Southeast Asia can still apply, as long as they are ASEAN citizens and their research aligns with the programme’s goals
For Outbound S-SEAF (Singapore → Southeast Asia):
- Must be a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident
- Singapore PRs who hold nationality of an ASEAN country cannot undertake the fellowship in that specific country of nationality
- Must already be employed by a Singapore research institution before applying. If you are not currently employed by one, you need to secure that employment first
Fellowship Pathways — Which One Applies to You:
There are two distinct tracks under S-SEAF:
Inbound S-SEAF is for researchers from Southeast Asian countries who want to come to Singapore and conduct research at a Singapore institution. The standard duration is two years, but shorter attachments of at least six months may be accepted for proposals in Infectious Diseases.
Outbound S-SEAF is for Singapore-based researchers who want to go to another Southeast Asian country and work at a host institution there. The duration is flexible , between 6 months and 2 years. Outbound fellows may also split their time across multiple shorter stints at the host institution, subject to approval.
In both cases, the fellowship is full-time. Part-time participation is not allowed.
Research Areas and Themes:
Not all proposals are treated equally. Certain research themes are given higher priority during evaluation.
Anchor Theme (prioritised in every cycle):
- Infectious Diseases — This is a standing priority theme that runs across all fellowship cycles
Additional Theme:
- A second priority theme is announced when applications open each cycle. Check the official S-SEAF page for the current cycle’s second theme.
Beyond the priority themes, proposals are also accepted across all four RIE2030 domains:
- Manufacturing, Trade and Connectivity
- Human Health and Potential
- Urban Solutions and Sustainability
- Smart Nation and Digital Economy
If your research falls under Infectious Diseases or the second announced theme, your proposal will be prioritised. That does not mean other areas are not considered , they are , but alignment with the key themes strengthens your application.
Fields Eligible for This Fellowship:
- Biomedical Sciences
- Infectious Disease Research
- Clinical and Translational Medicine
- Public Health
- Biotechnology
- Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
- Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Urban Technology and Planning
- Materials Science
- Computer Science
- Manufacturing and Industrial Technology
- Digital Economy and Innovation
- Computational Biology
- Health Systems and Policy Research
How the Selection Works:
Applications are reviewed by a panel of judges from across Singapore’s research ecosystem. Their assessments are then passed to the S-SEAF Executive Committee, which makes the final decision. The decision is binding , no appeal is accepted.
Your proposal will be judged on the following criteria:
- Novelty, innovative merit, and feasibility of your research idea
- Your academic qualifications and track record as a researcher
- How relevant your proposed research is to Singapore and Southeast Asia
- How well your proposal aligns with S-SEAF’s research themes
- Your leadership potential as a researcher
- The broader research impact and possibility of follow-on work after the fellowship
Responsibilities During the Fellowship:
Being selected comes with real expectations. Fellows are not passive participants. You are expected to:
- Conduct your research at the host institution in line with your approved proposal
- Actively participate in the research group’s activities and any institutional programmes
- Contribute to knowledge exchange and collaboration between Singapore and Southeast Asia
- Follow all host institution policies, including those related to research integrity and intellectual property
- Submit progress reports , fellows on two-year fellowships submit at the one-year midpoint and at the end; fellows on shorter attachments submit at the end of the fellowship
How to Find a Host Institution:
Before you can submit your application, you need a confirmed host institution. This is not something A*STAR arranges for you , you have to identify and approach the institution yourself.
Here is how to go about it:
- Look at the S-SEAF research themes and identify areas where your work fits
- Visit the websites of potential institutions , read their research centre pages and recent publications to understand what they are currently working on
- Contact principal investigators, programme leads, or research centre heads directly , email them, explain your background, and propose a potential collaboration
- Use your existing network , former supervisors, conference contacts, co-authors, or anyone connected to Singapore or Southeast Asian research institutions
One key thing to remember: host confirmation and institutional endorsement are required when you submit the application. So do not wait until the last minute to reach out. Contact potential hosts early, ideally months before the August deadline.
Eligible host institutions in Singapore include A*STAR research institutes, autonomous universities, academic medical centres, and national research or clinical centres. For outbound fellows, eligible hosts are public research and higher education institutions across Southeast Asia with demonstrated research capabilities in the relevant areas.
How to Apply:
Follow these steps to submit your application:
- Identify and engage your host institution and co-develop your research proposal with them
- Get the institutional endorsement from your proposed host
- Prepare all required documents (listed below)
- Submit your complete application through the official S-SEAF online submission portal before 1 August 2026
Documents required for a complete application:
- Completed S-SEAF Application Form, endorsed by the proposed host institution
- Contact details of two referees who are familiar with your research and professional work
- Copy of your passport
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates for your Bachelor’s, Master’s (if applicable), and PhD
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered under any circumstances.
Important Things to Know Before You Apply:
- You can only submit one application per cycle
- If you are not selected, you can reapply in future cycles as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements
- Detailed feedback is generally not provided to unsuccessful applicants due to the competitive nature of the programme
- S-SEAF funding is not paid directly to the fellow. It is reimbursed to the Singapore host or home institution, which pays your salary and allowances first. Make sure your institution is aware of and comfortable with this arrangement before they endorse your application
- Research project expenses (lab costs, materials, equipment) are not covered by S-SEAF. These need to come from the host institution or other funding sources
- You are allowed to apply for other grants during the fellowship period, subject to host institution policies
- Dependant or family relocation costs are not covered , only your own airfare and living allowance are included
- Teaching or supervision activities may be allowed if they support your professional development and are approved by the host, but they cannot interfere with your research
Application Timeline:
- Applications Open: April
- Application Deadline: 1 August 2026
- Award Results Announced: November 2026
- Fellowship Start: Within one year of the award date
Contact Information:
For any questions about eligibility, the application process, or anything else related to S-SEAF, reach out directly to the programme team:
Email: SSEAF@a-star.edu.sg
The programme is administered by A*STAR, located at 2 Fusionopolis Way, #08-01, Innovis, Singapore 138634.
