SMU Rising Scholars Fellowship
About the Programme
The SMU Rising Scholars Fellowship (SRSF) aims to attract the best and brightest rising young scholars from Singapore and around the world for an exciting opportunity to have a glimpse of our postgraduate experience at the Singapore Management University (SMU).
Located right in the heart of Singapore and Asia, SMU is a globally recognised research intensive institution known for its innovative curriculum and teaching excellence. Helmed by SMU’s College of Graduate Research Studies (CGRS), the SRSF is a short immersion programme that provides participants with unique opportunities to immerse themselves in a rich learning environment featuring engaging workshops and seminars, enlightening tours of our city campus, and an opportunity to also participate in our annual SMU Rising Scholars Conference. Applicants are also invited to submit their research papers for consideration, with selected applicants having the opportunity to present their work and exchange ideas with doctoral students across disciplinary and interdisciplinary fields.
The SRSF involves engaging participants in a five-day stint on SMU campus and they can expect to interact closely with academics and doctoral students with similar research interests to grow their scholarly network. Participants will spend two weeks back in their home country to produce a Guided Reflection for submission to SMU CGRS and they will be awarded with a Certificate of Participation.
Funding Support
Participants will receive an award of SGD2,000 from SMU at the end of the fellowship programme. This amount is meant to provide partial coverage of their round-trip airfare, accommodation (for 6 nights), visa and living expenses (food/transport) during their stay in Singapore. Additional funding, either from their home university or through other avenues, may be helpful in covering the balance expenses incurred.
Tentative Programme Format (At a Glance)*
| Timeline | Key Activities |
| Day 1 Tuesday, 11 May 2027 | Welcome to SMU • Introduction to Postgraduate Research Studies at SMU • Meet-and-Greet with PhD Student Buddies • Tour SMU's City Campus |
| Day 2 Wednesday, 12 May 2027 | Research Engagements @ SMU Schools • Get up close with SMU faculty and PhD students • Tour our Research Institutes, Centres and Labs • Experience our research ecosystem through seminars and workshops |
| Day 3 Thursday, 13 May 2027 | Singapore Rising Scholars Conference • Welcome and Opening Address • Keynote Address and Fireside Chat • General Panels • Seminars and Conference Breakout Sessions |
| Day 4 Friday, 14 May 2027 | Singapore Rising Scholars Conference • General Panels • Seminars and Conference Breakout Sessions • Best Paper Award Ceremony and Dinner Reception |
| Day 5 Saturday, 15 May 2027 | The Singapore Experience • City Tour of Popular Singapore Districts |
| 2 Weeks Later Sunday, 30 May 2027 | Post Fellowship Assessment • Submission of Guided Reflection & share your post-fellowship reflections with us |
* Accurate as of 19 October 2026
Eligibility
- Bachelor’s (penultimate or final year) or master’s students
- Excellent Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) or equivalent
- Strong interest in SMU’s PhD programmes
- Research experience and other noteworthy accomplishments beyond academia would be a plus
Application Period & Submission Requirements
Applications will open from 1 November to 31 December 2026.
Applicants are expected to have a copy of the following documents ready before application submission:
- Most Recent Academic Transcript from Home University
- Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Purpose
- Academic Referee Letter (Optional but strongly encouraged)
- Research Topic of Interest (Optional)
Note: All documents must be submitted in the English language
Key Timeline*
| Date | Milestone |
| 1 November 2026 | Application Opening for 2027 Rising Scholars Fellowship Programme |
| 31 December 2026 | Application Closing for 2027 Rising Scholars Fellowship Programme |
| 1 January to 5 February 2027 | Evaluation of Applications |
| 8 February 2027 | Release Outcome of Applications and Issuance of Offer Letters |
| 26 February 2027 | Deadline for Offer Acceptance |
| 1 March to 15 April 2027 | Participants to Make their Travel Arrangements |
| By 1 May 2027 | Participants to Receive Final Programme Itinerary |
| 11 to 15 May 2027 | 2027 Rising Scholars Fellowship Programme |
| 30 May 2027 | Submission of Reflection by Participants |
| By 30 June 2027 | Issuance of Certificate of Participation |
*Accurate as of 19 October 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
I am currently working (or on a gap year) and have already completed my bachelor's and/or master's degree. Am I eligible to apply for the programme?
- Yes, you are welcome to apply for the programme.
Is there any GPA or GRE/TOEFL requirement?
- No, there is no minimum GPA and/or GRE/TOEFL requirement.
Is there a quota for successful applicants from the same university or country?
- No, there isn’t any quota on the number of selected applicants from the same university or country. Up to 25 candidates may be selected for this programme annually.
Is there a list for Faculty Profile or Research Areas?
- Yes, you may refer to the list here.
How to be eligible for the SGD $2,000 funding support?
- Participant who is not a Singaporean or Singapore Permanent Resident and/or have a residence address outside of Singapore. Participants must also complete the full 5-day programme and Guided Reflection. Terms and conditions would be stated in the Invitation Letter.
How is the fellowship funding support disbursed?
- Participants would receive the SGD $2,000 estimated by end-June 2027 via bank transfer.
Am I allowed to leave in the middle of the fellowship programme? Will I still be eligible for the funding support?
- Participants would be expected to attend the full 5-day programme. Requests and eligibility of funding support would be reviewed and considered on a case-by-case basis. This is subjected to approval from the College of Graduate Research Studies.
I would be flying into Singapore directly from another country instead of my home country. Would I still be eligible for the funding support?
- Yes, you will still be eligible for the funding support. Only Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents would not be eligible for the funding support.
Will there be any accommodation provided?
- There is no available on-campus dormitory accommodation. Successful applicants would be required to source for their own lodging and transport.
Does the programme cater for food?
- Certain programme segment would cater for meals. It would be indicated in the final itinerary that would be sent to you closer to the event day. Participants would be expected to cover their food expenses aside from the arranged meals.
I would like to book my flights, what are the start- and end-time of the programme?
- Participants would be encouraged to arrive in Singapore 1-day before (10 May 2027) and depart 1-day after (16 May 2027) the programme. The agenda on the last day (15 May 2027), would end around 5 to 6 pm, subjected to changes.
Would I be enrolled into SMU PhD Programme if my application is successful?
- Acceptance to this programme does not guarantee a PhD admission in SMU. However, you may take this programme opportunity to network and find out if there is matching research interest with the faculty members which may hopefully help in your SMU PhD application.
When and how would I be informed of my application outcome?
- Applicants will receive a confirmation email from the College of Graduate Research Studies (CGRS) to inform them of their outcome by 26 February 2027.
