| College of Graduate Research Studies

14 - 15 May 2026
SMU Li Ka Shing Library

Keynote & Panels

14th May 2026

9:10am - 10:00am

UCLA Professor Christopher S. Tang Keynote Address

Supply Chain Management in the ESG Era: The Missing Link
While ESG investing has surged, it faces significant challenges regarding data reliability and "greenwashing". This presentation identifies a critical "missing link" in current ratings: Supply Chain Management. Often, firms appear sustainable by minimizing direct operations while ignoring upstream impacts. Drawing on recent research, I demonstrate that firms voluntarily disclosing emissions often report lower direct (Scope 1) emissions but significantly higher supply chain (Scope 3) emissions. This suggests companies are "outsourcing" pollution rather than reducing it. The talk concludes by outlining the urgent need for transparency and future interdisciplinary research to ensure ESG initiatives drive genuine sustainability.

Dr Christopher TANG
Distinguished Professor and Carter Chair,
UCLA Anderson School of Management

2:45pm - 3:45pm

General Panel Session 1: Building Bridges: Academic-Industry Collaboration for Impactful Research

How can doctoral students design research that is both academically rigorous and socially relevant?
This panel explores how academic–industry collaboration can enhance both the practical relevance and theoretical contribution of scholarly work. Panelists will share experiences partnering with organizations and communities — through field experiments and other applied research approaches—to address real-world challenges while advancing academic knowledge.

The discussion will highlight how such partnerships can open new research avenues, provide access to unique data, and strengthen the societal impact of research. Panelists will also reflect on navigating research design constraints, building trust with industry partners, and translating findings into actionable insights for academic and practitioner audiences.

Dr Seonghoon KIM
Associate Professor of Economics;
Deputy Director, Centre for Research on Successful Ageing (ROSA)
School of Economics
Singapore Management University

Dr LIM Chon Phung
Executive-in-Residence at the Lee Kong Chian School of Business
Singapore Management University
Adjunct Associate Professor
Singapore Institute of Technology

Dr Henrik BRESMAN
Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour
INSEAD

Dr Reddi KOTHA (Moderator)
Lee Kong Chian Professor
Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Research Peak Coordinator
Lee Kong Chian School of Business
Singapore Management University
Associate Editor
Strategic Management Journal
PhD Coordinator Strategy & Entrepreneurship

15th May 2026

3:00pm - 4:30pm

General Panel Session 2: The PhD Journey: Common Challenges and Strategies for Success

This panel is designed to support the development of PhD students by targeting some of the major priorities, challenges, and trade-offs that they face. The panel aims to offer practical advice on how to navigate common academic, professional, and personal milestones in the PhD journey and facilitate open discussions for long term success.

Dr FANG Xin
Associate Professor of Operations Management
Director, PhD Programmes
MPA Research Fellow
Lee Kong Chian School of Business Singapore Management University

Dr Shilpa MADAN
Assistant Professor of Marketing
Lee Kong Chian School of Business
Singapore Management University

ZHAO Yuan
PhD in Accounting
School of Accountancy
Singapore Management University

PENG Huijuan (Moderator)
PhD Candidate
Singapore Management University Centre of Digital Law

14 - 15 May 2026
SMU Li Ka Shing Library

Seminars

14th May 2026

10.15am - 11.45am

Seminar 1: Academic Literature Review in the Age of AI and Large Language Models

The landscape of academic research is experiencing substantial transformations, due to the introduction of open data and advancements in AI (specifically natural language processing). These developments have given rise to a new array of tools for conducting literature reviews that extend beyond traditional academic search methods. This presentation aims to provide practical insights into leveraging these emerging tools for literature review.

The discussion will focus on AI-enhanced search engines like Scopus AI, Elicit, Scispace, Scite.ai assistant, Perplexity.ai, Consensus, Undermind and more. These search engines integrate Transformer based Large Language Models which are used to enhance query understanding, generate direct answers to questions with citations and extract study details to create a research matrix of studies. Newer agent-based approaches are also being adopted with tools like Undermind.ai, OpenAI’s Deep Research, AI2 Paperfinder & Scholar QA (now known as Asta), emerging producing both higher quality retrieval results and long form reports but at the cost of much slower response times.

We will provide an overview of the latest cutting-edge developments in these areas, the strengths and weakness of such tools and how it affects the way you might go about doing your literature review from the selection of such tools to the way you input your queries.

Aaron TAY
Head, Data Services
SMU Libraries

4pm - 5.30pm

Seminar 2: Streamlined Workflow for Qualitative Data Analysis with Whisper and ATLAS.ti

Qualitative research, often reliant on interviews and focus groups, stands to benefit significantly from the latest advancements and innovations in AI. This session presents a practical and efficient research workflow with two powerful tools—Whisper and ATLAS.ti—to streamline the process of qualitative data analysis.

Automated transcription, powered by advanced deep learning models such as OpenAI's Whisper, Google's Gemini, and other similar methods, plays a crucial role. With the ability to achieve high accuracy in speech recognition, these technologies significantly reduce the time and effort required for manual transcribing, freeing up your time for more valuable analytical work.

Moving beyond transcription, the session presents ATLAS.ti, a well-established qualitative data analysis tool. We demonstrate how to code data, extract insights, create visualizations, and explore the tool's latest AI features.
Join us to discover the new tools to improve your qualitative research workflow.

Bella RATMELIA
Senior Librarian, Research & Data Services
SMU Libraries

Senior Librarian, Research & Data Services
Adjunct Faculty
SMU Libraries

15th May 2026

9am - 10.30am

Seminar 3: Getting Published and Enhancing Research Visibility with Visual Abstracts

Planning to publish your research? This session covers essential strategies to navigate the publishing process, prepare your submissions and boost your research visibility after publication.· Optimize your title and abstract for discoverability.

Navigate the publishing workflow, including submission, peer review, and revision stages
Enhance your research impact with visual abstracts and effective outreach strategies

This session is ideal for early-career researchers or those new to academic publishing, offering practical insights to help you understand the publishing process and maximize the reach and impact of your research.

YEO Pin Pin
Head, Research Services
SMU Libraries

DONG Danping
Senior Librarian, Research Services
SMU Libraries

10:45am - 12.15pm

Seminar 4: Text Analysis for PhD Research: An Introduction to No-Code and Code-Light Tools

This session offers a practical introduction to text analysis using beginner-friendly tools to help you extract meanings and uncover patterns in your text data.

Explore text patterns with Voyant and TALL, via interactive visualizations to help identify key themes in textual data—no coding required.
Extract nuanced themes using BERTopic, a Python-based tool for AI-powered topic modelling - suitable for researchers comfortable with light coding.

Designed for researchers new to text analysis or hesitant about coding, this session emphasizes practical workflows over technical jargon. Leave with an introduction to free tools and inspiration to apply these methods into your own research.

Aaron TAY
Head, Data Services
SMU Libraries

DONG Danping
Senior Librarian, Research Services
SMU Libraries

1:15pm - 2.45pm

Seminar 5: Strategic Publishing and Critical AI Use for Research Impact

Researchers today face growing pressure to make publishing decisions that directly affect the visibility and long-term impact of their work. The expanding mix of open access options, traditional models, and AI driven research tools can feel overwhelming to navigate. This session supports researchers by clarifying publishing pathways and helping them select journals that align with their goals and academic identity. It also builds critical AI literacy by assessing accuracy, recognising bias, questioning assumptions to ensure responsible, high integrity research and stronger global impact.

Dr Lim Khee Hiang
Senior Manager for Partner Success & Customer Relations
Sage Publishing (Singapore Rising Scholars Conference Sponsorship Partner)

14 - 15 May 2026
SMU Li Ka Shing Library

Getting Here

Conference Venue

Li Ka Shing Library
70 Stamford Rd,
Singapore 178901 [Map]

Nearest Carpark

Lee Kong Chian School of Business,
50 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178899

Directions

Carpark access via Queen Street.
Take the lift to Level 1 to the bottom of Li Ka Shing Library.

14 - 15 May 2026
SMU Li Ka Shing Library

Faculty Steering Committee

Professor WANG Heli

Dean, College of Graduate Research Studies
Janice Bellace Professor of Strategic Management
Lee Kong Chian School of Business
Singapore Management University

Associate Professor FANG Xin

Director, PhD Programmes, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
Associate Professor of Operations Management
MPA Research Fellow
Singapore Management University

Associate Professor LI Jing

Director and Programme Pillar Lead of SMU-PHBS Doctor of Business Administration, Urban Growth
Associate Professor of Economics
School of Economics
Singapore Management University

Associate Professor WANG Rencheng

Director of PhD in Accounting
Lee Kong Chian Fellow
Associate Professor of Accounting
School of Accounting
Singapore Management University

Conference Organising Committee

Overall Staff-in-charge: Esther FOO, College of Graduate Research Studies (CGRS)

Secretariat and Administration: Janis WONG, Rosanna Richard SAM (CGRS)

Marketing and Communication: LOH Hui Xian, Casey GRANT (CGRS)

Graduate Research Student Society Executive Committee 2025/26

14 - 15 May 2026
SMU Li Ka Shing Library

Programme at a Glance (2026)

14 May 2026 (Thursday)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:30PM
Conference Venue: SMU Li Ka Shing Library [Map]

Time	Session
8:00AM - 9:00AM	Registration & Breakfast
9:00AM - 9:10AM	Opening & Welcome Address with Prof Lily Kong and Prof Heli Wang Room A
9:10AM - 10:00AM	UCLA Professor Christopher S. Tang Keynote Address and Q&A Room A
10:00AM - 10:15AM	Break
10:15AM - 11:45PM	Seminar 1: Academic Literature Review in the Age of AI and Large Language Models Room A Breakout Session 1.1 Accounting, Litigation, and Corporate Governance Room B Breakout Session 1.2 Urban Design, Space, and Social Practice Room C Breakout Session 1.3 Organizational Life and Work Practices Room D
11:45AM - 12:45PM	Networking Lunch Room A Lounge Area
1:00PM - 2:30PM	Poster Presentation Room A Breakout Session 2.1 Sustainability, Climate, and Governance Room B Breakout Session 2.2 Markets, Education, and Matching Room C Breakout Session 2.3 Psychological Processes in Technology-Mediated Life Room C
2:45PM - 3:45PM	General Panel Session 1: Building Bridges: Academic–Industry Collaboration for Impactful Research Room A
3:45PM - 4:00PM	Break
4:00PM - 5:30PM	Seminar 2: Streamlined Workflow for Qualitative Data Analysis with Whisper and ATLAS.ti Room A Breakout Session 3.1 Public Policy, Justice, and Welfare Room B Breakout Session 3.2 Marketing, Consumers, and Incentives Room C

15 May 2026 (Friday)

Time: 8:00AM - 7:00PM
Conference Venue: SMU Li Ka Shing Library [Map]

Time	Session
8:00AM - 9:00AM	Registration & Breakfast
9:00AM - 10:30AM	Seminar 3: Getting Published and Enhancing Research Visibility with Visual Abstracts Room A Breakout Session 4.1 Finance, Risk, and Political Economy Room B Breakout Session 4.2 Urban Space and Everyday Life Room C
10:30AM - 10:45AM	Break
10:45AM - 12:15PM	Seminar 4: Text Analysis for PhD Research: An Introduction to No-Code and Code-Light Tools Room A Breakout Session 5.1 Digital Transformation, AI, and Work Room B Breakout Session 5.2 Operations, Optimization, and Systems Room C
12:15PM - 1:15PM	Networking Lunch Room A Lounge Area
1:15PM - 2:45PM	Seminar 5: Strategic Publishing And Critical AI Use for Research Impact Room A Breakout Session 6.1 Strategy, Institutions, and Regulation Room B Breakout Session 6.2 Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Knowledge Room C
2:45PM - 3:00PM	Break
3:00PM - 4:30PM	General Panel Session 2: The PhD Journey: Common Challenges and Strategies for Success Room A
5:00PM - 7:00PM	Rising Scholars Awards Ceremony & Meet-the-Faculty Evening Reception The ALCove

For more information please proceed to the Panels & Keynote, Seminars, and Breakout Sessions tabs.

Keynote & Panels
Seminars
Breakout Sessions & Poster Presentations

14 - 15 May 2026
SMU Li Ka Shing Library

Starting from 1st October, we welcome the submission of any original single-authored and co-authored unpublished, early-stage working papers or work-in-progress papers on the following topics of interest (but not limited to):

Accounting
Economics
Finance
Law
Marketing
Psychology
Operations Management
Management of Information Systems
Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship
Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource

We also welcome papers on interdisciplinary topics, including (but not limited to):

Sustainability
Urban Studies
Growth in Asia
Digital Transformation
Computational Social Sciences

Important Notes:

We ask that each student submit only one paper to present at the conference. This will give all applicants a fair chance at attending the conference. Submitting students may also be a co-author on another paper submitted by another student, but each student will only have one opportunity to present.

Presentations are divided into the subject areas and topics listed above. You can choose the area most relevant to your topic. If you are conducting research across multiple disciplines, you can either submit it to an interdisciplinary area, or one of the related disciplinary areas.

Accepted papers will be considered for Best Paper Awards, with a prize of SGD500 each.

Description	Dates
Call for Papers	1 October 2025 onwards
Initial Paper Submission Deadline	1 February 2026
Notification of Acceptance	15 March 2026
Confirmation of Attendance	22 March 2026
Conference	14–15 May 2026

14th May 2026

10.15am - 11.45am

Breakout Session 1.1 - Accounting, Litigation, and Corporate Governance

Weiqi LIU
Singapore Management University

Zhenghai CHI
National University of Singapore

Yufei LU
Central University of Finance and Economics

Manya WANG
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Breakout Session 1.2 - Urban Design, Space, and Social Practice

Liuqing YU
National University of Singapore

Wenyi LI
Southeast University

Luciano BRINA
Singapore University of Technology and Design

Robin CHEE
Singapore Management University

Breakout Session 1.3 - Organizational Life and Work Practices

Jiaxin XU
Peking University

Xiaolin LI
Shanghai University of International Business and Economics

Ying ZHAO
City University of Hong Kong

Zijun YE
Northwestern Polytechnical University

1.00pm - 2.30pm

Breakout Session 2.1 - Sustainability, Climate, and Governance

Weimian AI
Singapore Management University

Tong NI
Singapore Management University

Oon Ling LEE
Singapore Management University

Yenifer CLEA
Singapore Management University

Breakout Session 2.2 - Markets, Education, and Matching

Jingman CAO
National University of Singapore

Xujun LIU
Shanghai University of Finance & Economics

Zhaoqi ZANG
Nanyang Technological University

Breakout Session 2.3 - Psychological Processes in Technology-Mediated Life

Yifei QUAN
National University of Singapore

Xueqing GENG
Singapore Management University

Siva KUMAR
Singapore University of Social Sciences

Meijun WU
Northwestern Polytechnical University

4.00pm - 5.30pm

Breakout Session 3.1 - Public Policy, Justice, and Welfare

Brejesh BHASKARAN
Singapore Management University

Yufei LIU
Xiamen University

Cindy Xuelin WANG
Shanghai Jiaotong University

Avisenna GUSTA
Singapore Management University

Breakout Session 3.2 - Marketing, Consumers, and Incentives

Jiahua SUN
Singapore Management University

Zhengqing LIU
Singapore Management University

Rongrong LUO
Xi’an Jiaotong- Liverpool University & University of Liverpool

Poster Presenters

Logambikai PALANIAPPAN
Singapore Management University

Vu Tuan LAM
National Tsing Hua University

Chittranut KIATADISORN
Nanyang Technological University

Binh DAO
University of Greenwich

Ramya RAO MUNJULURI
INSEAD

Julian CORJ
University of Oxford

15th May 2026

9.00am - 10.30am

Breakout Session 4.1 - Finance, Risk, and Political Economy

Yue WU
Nanyang Technological University

Ngoc Huy CHAU
University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City

Bo PANG
National University of Singapore

Ke LI
INSEAD

Breakout Session 4.2 - Urban Space and Everyday Life

Onnutcha NAKNAWAPHAN
Thammasat University

Minghang YU
National University of Singapore

Fangyi DING
The University of Hong Kong

Zaw Lin NAING
Thammasat University

Amika NAKNAWAPHAN
Thammasat University

10.45am - 12.15pm

Breakout Session 5.1 - Digital Transformation, AI, and Work

Jiachen LYU
National University of Singapore

Qi GAO
Singapore Management University

Ziheng WANG
Singapore Management University

Ruiqi DING
Singapore Management University

Breakout Session 5.2 - Operations, Optimization, and Systems

Leena NANDA
Singapore Management University

Kun PENG
Nanjing University

Adalia GOH
Singapore Management University

Wenxiu HENG
Singapore University of Social Sciences

1.15pm - 2.45pm

Breakout Session 6.1 - Strategy, Institutions, and Regulation

Devanshee SHUKLA
INSEAD

Nety WU
INSEAD

Kyeyoung SHIN
University of Oxford

Jian HU
Singapore Management University

Breakout Session 6.2 - Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Knowledge

Guanyi SONG
Erasmus University

Zhao ZHENG
INSEAD

Chun BAI
City University of Hong Kong

Kate NIU
INSEAD

14 - 15 May 2026
SMU Li Ka Shing Library

About the Conference

Singapore Management University (SMU) College of Graduate Research Studies is organising its annual Singapore Rising Scholars Conference (SRSC) on 14 - 15 May 2026 in partnership with SMU Libraries and SAGE Publications.

The Conference which will be held at the SMU Li Ka Shing Library aims to provide a unique opportunity for doctoral students in management and the social sciences to present their latest research, receive constructive feedback from their fellow students, explore new research ideas in both disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas, and expand their professional and social network.

Registration for the conference has opened, we hope to see you there!

Conference Goals and Objectives

Facilitate cross-disciplinary exchange of research among doctoral students and promote new research ideas in both disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas.
Encourage doctoral students to grow their scholarly network and enhance doctoral student life.
Contribute to the research development process of emerging scholars.
Prepare doctoral students for a successful career in one of the top schools in Asia and beyond.

SRSC 2025 Highlights

CHECK OUT OUR 2025 PHOTOS

Conference Fee and Pricing

Registration Type	2-days Conference (14 to 15 May 2026)
Non-SMU Student / Externals	SGD 100.00
SMU Student	SGD 100.00
SMU Faculty & Invited Guests	Referral Link provided

SMU PhD Students enrolled in the Academic Research Programmes can use their CGRS Conference PhD Funding (if there is a remaining balance) to claim for the registration fees after attending the conference.

Students can submit their claims through the Student E-Claims System (SES). A step-by-step submission guide on SES can be found here.

Refund Policy

Refund of registration fees (up to 4 May 2026):

100% refund for cancellations before 14 April 2026
50% refund for cancellations from 14 April to 4 May 2026.

Withdrawals after 4 May 2026 are non-refundable.

Award Criteria

Presidential Doctoral Fellowship (PDF)
This award recognises existing PhD students who have demonstrated sustained excellence in research within their respective fields. It carries no course requirements and is conferred solely based on the quality and significance of research outcomes achieved during the PhD programme.

Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellowship (IDF)
This award recognises PhD students who demonstrate excellence in interdisciplinary research that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. Eligible research may span multiple disciplines across schools or integrate two or more research areas within a single school. Award recipients should show a clear ability to synthesise knowledge and methods across disciplines to advance fundamental understanding or generate solutions that could not be achieved within a single disciplinary framework. The award carries no course requirements and is conferred solely on the strength of research outcomes that demonstrate a coherent and impactful integration of approaches.

Impact Doctoral Fellowship (ImDF)
This award recognises existing PhD students who demonstrate strong research potential or impact in and/or beyond academia. It is conferred based on research contributions that have influenced, or show clear potential to influence, communities, industries, policies, learning ecosystems, or societal well-being, and/or have delivered demonstrable benefits to external stakeholders through research, educational innovation, or organisational initiatives. The award has no course requirements and is assessed solely in the quality and impact of research contributions across societal, cultural, economic, environmental, industry, or policy domains within the student’s field of study.

Documents for Fellowship Application

An updated copy of the PhD student’s resume.
A candidate statement that highlights the PhD student’s achievements and it should focus on the significance of his/her research outcomes. Other noteworthy achievements in the PhD candidature may also be considered.
A recommendation letter from the PhD student’s dissertation supervisor that explains how he/she meets the award criterion.

All supporting documents should be submitted in Adobe PDF format, following the below naming conventions:

Presidential Doctoral Fellowship (PDF)

AY2026_PDF_School_Programme_StudentName_Resume/Statement/Letter

e.g., AY2026_PDF_LKCSB_PhD MKT_Resume
AY2026_PDF_SOE_PhD Econs_Statement

Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellowship (IDF)

AY2026_IDF_School_Programme_StudentName_Resume/Statement/Letter

e.g., AY2026_IDF_SCIS_PhD CS_Resume
AY2026_IDF_SOSS_PhD PSY_Letter

Impact Doctoral Fellowship (ImDF)

AY2026_ImDF_School_Programme_StudentName_Resume/Statement/Letter

e.g., AY2026_ImDF_SOA_PhD Acct_Resume
AY2026_ImDF_YPHSL_PhD LCT_Statement

If the PhD student is applying for more than one fellowship award, please ensure that the candidate statement and recommendation letter should contain a distinct elaboration on why he/she meets the award criteria for each of the award that he/she has applied for.
At the recommendation of the evaluation committee, each student may receive either the Presidential Doctoral Fellowship, the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellowship or the Impact Doctoral Fellowship.

Award Duration

1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027
At the end of the award term, recipients may be offered another fellowship or revert to the original scholarship scheme, if they are still eligible to receive a PhD scholarship.

Fellowship Award

A higher monthly stipend, according to the current citizenship of the PhD student.
Citizenship Monthly Stipend²
Singapore Citizen¹ $5,300
Singapore Permanent Resident $4,800
International Student $4,300
¹Singapore Citizens will be provided with 17% CPF contribution.
²Monthly Tier 1 stipend rates that are applicable to PhD students from all SMU Schools.
Caveat:
The higher monthly stipend will apply only to PhD students who have not exhausted the full 4-year of SMU PhD scholarship.
A research trip worth $4,000, which can be utilised within 2 years from the commencement of the award duration. The guidelines on ‘PhD Conference Funding’ will apply for the utilisation of the research trip.

Application Information

Application Link	Click here (Form will only accept submissions from SMU's email address of the PhD students)
Submission Deadline	Friday, 15 May 2026, 5pm
Award Notification	Friday, 10 July 2026

Do I need a Master’s degree to apply for a PhD?
- Generally, no. For most programmes, you only need at least a good Bachelor’s degree. While a Master’s degree is often described as "useful" or "recommended," it is not a strict requirement for admission into the Academic Research PhD programmes.
What are the standard admission requirements regarding standardized tests?
- Most programmes require GRE or GMAT results taken within the last five years. Additionally, if your medium of instruction at the university level was not English, you must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores taken within the last two years.
- You can find more information here.
Are there waivers available for GRE or GMAT requirements?
- Yes. For several programs, including Economics, Psychology, and Computer Science/Information Systems, GRE or GMAT requirements may be waived for graduates of Singapore’s autonomous universities (such as SMU, NUS, NTU, SUTD, SIT, and SUSS). However, some programs, like Psychology, still encourage submission if scores are available to enhance the application.
When are the application deadlines for the different intakes?
- For the August intake, applications typically open on August 1st of the prior year and close on December 31st or January 31st, depending on the specific programme. The PhD in Computer Science and Information Systems also has a January intake, with applications closing on June 30th of the prior year.
- You can find more information here.
What is the selection process after I submit my application?
- A selection committee in each school assesses the full application package. Shortlisted candidates are typically invited for an interview, which may be conducted face-to-face or virtually via web-conferencing.
What if I am interested in research but not yet ready to commit to a PhD?
- If you are undecided about a doctoral career, you can start with a Master by Research programme. This allows you to gain a head start on research work and determine if it is the right career path for you before committing to a full PhD.
Can I pursue my PhD on a part-time basis?
- Most PhD programs are strictly full-time. The primary exception is the PhD in Computer Science, which offers a part-time study option, but this is restricted to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.
Is there an application fee?
- Yes, there is a one-time, non-refundable application fee of S$15 (inclusive of GST).

Are scholarships available, and do they come with a bond?
- Yes, SMU awards competitive Research Scholarships that cover registration and subsidised tuition fees while providing a monthly living stipend. Notably, there is no bond attached to these scholarships upon the completion of your studies.
What are the monthly living stipend rates for PhD students?
- Effective January 1, 2026, Tier 1 Scholarship recipients receive $5,300 (Singapore Citizens), $4,800 (Permanent Residents), or S$4,300 (International Students).
- Under Tier 2, stipends start lower but increase after passing the Qualifying Examination (QE):
  Singapore Citizens: $3,800(Before QE)/$4,300 (After QE)
  Permanent Residents: $3,400(Before QE)/$3,900 (After QE)
  International Students: $3,100(Before QE)/$3,600 (After QE)
- You can find more information here.
How long does the PhD programme and scholarship support last?
- The programmes are full-time, and students are expected to complete their candidature within five years. However, the standard scholarship is tenable for a maximum of four years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
What financial support is available if I need a fifth year to finish?
- Since scholarship stipends cease after Year 4, students in their fifth year may receive continued support by working as a Research Assistant (RA), Senior Teaching Assistant (STA), or Graduate Instructor (GI). International students can work up to 16 hours per week on a part-time basis under these schemes.
Am I allowed to work outside the university during my PhD?
- No. Scholarship recipients are not allowed to engage in any other gainful employment or hold external sponsorships without prior written approval from the university.
Is there a service obligation for international students?
- Self-financing international students who choose to pay subsidised tuition fees are required to take up a three-year service obligation. This involves working in a Singapore-based company for three years upon graduation. Notably, the standard SMU Research Scholarship itself is typically bond-free.
Does the university provide funding for me to present research at conferences?
- Yes. The university provides generous conference funding to allow students to share their work with the international research community at peer-reviewed international conferences.
What are the residency requirements for scholarship holders?
- Scholars are required to reside in Singapore for the duration of their PhD candidature. They are expected to report to their school or supervisor regularly unless they have been granted official leave.
What happens if my academic performance is not satisfactory?
- Scholarships are renewed annually based on satisfactory progress. The university reserves the right to terminate a scholarship if a student fails to maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 3.0 or fails to meet other program requirements.
Do I have to perform teaching or research duties as part of my scholarship?
- As part of their professional development, scholars may be required to perform graduate assistantship work, which can include teaching or research duties, without additional remuneration. Beyond these requirements, students may apply for paid part-time positions as Research or Teaching Assistants.

What is the difference between an Academic Research PhD and a Professional Doctorate?
- The Academic Research PhD is designed for fresh or recent graduates interested in creating new theories and pursuing careers in academia or R&D. In contrast, Professional Doctorates are for senior managers and working professionals who want to apply existing research to solve real-world practical challenges in industry.
- Academic PhDs are full-time and typically come with scholarship support, while Professional Doctorates are often self-funded.
- You can find out more information about our Academic Research Programmes here.
- You can find out more information about our Professional Doctorate Programmes here.
What PhD programmes are currently offered?
- The university offers PhD programmes in Accounting, Business (with various specializations), Economics, Psychology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Law, Commerce & Technology, and Asian Urbanisms.
- You can find out more information about our Academic Research Programmes here.
Am I allowed to work outside the university during my PhD?
- No. Scholarship recipients are not allowed to engage in any other gainful employment or hold external sponsorships without prior written approval from the university.
What if I am interested in research but not yet ready to commit to a PhD?
- If you are undecided about a doctoral career, you can start with a Master by Research programme. This allows you to gain a head start on research work and determine if it is the right career path for you before committing to a full PhD.
What are the key academic milestones I need to achieve?
- The PhD journey involves several critical stages: completing foundation and elective coursework, passing a Qualifying Examination (QE) (typically by the end of Year 2), submitting a dissertation proposal, conducting original research, and finally, a successful oral defense of the completed dissertation.
How much holiday leave am I entitled to?
- PhD scholars are eligible for 21 working days of paid holiday leave per calendar year. This excludes weekends and public holidays. However, students are generally not permitted to take leave during periods with classes or assigned teaching responsibilities.
Does the university provide funding for me to present research at conferences?
- Yes. The university provides generous conference funding to allow students to share their work with the international research community at peer-reviewed international conferences.
Can I pursue my PhD on a part-time basis?
- Most PhD programs are strictly full-time. The primary exception is the PhD in Computer Science, which offers a part-time study option, but this is restricted to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.

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