Introduction
Singapore’s National University of Singapore (NUS) is globally ranked, cutting-edge in research, and a magnet for top students in Asia and beyond. For those in Data Science, Engineering, and allied fields, winning a fully funded scholarship at NUS means world-class labs, access to industry, and a springboard into a global career.
The NUS Global Merit Scholarship, in particular, is known as a prestigious award for freshmen at NUS. But can it or will it be extended to graduate programmes in Data Science & Engineering in 2026, with monthly stipends and possibly waivers for IELTS? That is the question many prospective applicants are asking.
In this post, we will:
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Review what is known about NUS Global Merit and NUS Research / Data Science scholarships
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Contrast reality vs aspirational claims
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Give a detailed step-by-step guide to a strong application
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Share key insights and tips, especially for students from Africa & Asia
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Offer a template for a statement of purpose / proposal
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List common mistakes & FAQs
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Conclude with strategy and recommended next steps
The goal: after reading this, you should not just dream, but be well-prepared to apply for the most competitive NUS scholarship paths in 2026.
What is known: NUS Global Merit & research scholarships
Let’s anchor ourselves with what we can reliably verify today.
NUS Global Merit Scholarship (Undergraduate level)
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The NUS Global Merit Scholarship is an award for outstanding freshmen entering NUS. It covers subsidised tuition and offers living allowances and other benefits.
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It is not clear that the Global Merit scheme extends to graduate (master’s/PhD) programmes in Data Science or Engineering — the current formal listings pertain to undergraduate freshers.
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For example, the NUS site notes that the Global Merit Scholarship is open to Singapore citizens facing some internal eligibility and that it is tied to undergraduate admissions.
Thus, as of now, Global Merit is not (publicly) advertised as a graduate-level scholarship for Data Science/Engineering.
NUS Research Scholarship & Data Science PhD stipends
What about funding specifically for Data Science & Engineering graduate students?
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NUS offers a Research Scholarship for graduate students pursuing higher degrees (e.g. PhD).
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The NUS Data-Science Scholarship page (for NUS Graduate School) shows that PhD students (including international students) are eligible for a stipend. For international students, the stipend is SGD 3,100/month.
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The Data-Science Scholarship requires strong research potential; also a minimum GPA and English proficiency requirements if prior instruction was not in English.
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There is a listing for a PhD Scholarship in Data Science at NUS (for 2025/2026) indicating full funding and monthly allowance.
So, while the “Global Merit” brand is mostly undergraduate at present, NUS does already have graduate-level research scholarships in Data Science with monthly stipends, which lends credibility to the hypothesis that in 2026 there could be a variant or expansion.
Expectations vs Aspirations: what “fully funded + monthly allowance + IELTS waiver” might really look like
Let’s compare ideal claims you may see versus what is plausible or confirmed, to help you evaluate forthcoming scholarship announcements.
| Claimed Feature | Possible / Confirmed Reality | What You Need to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Fully funded (tuition + stipend + research support) | NUS Research Scholarship + Data Science Scholarship covers tuition and stipend for PhD students. | Does “fully funded” include conference travel, health insurance, relocation, equipment? Always check the detailed benefit sheet. |
| Monthly allowance | For international PhD students, SGD 3,100/month is offered under NUS Data-Science Scholarship. | Confirm whether this applies to your cohort, whether it is taxed, and whether additional supplements (e.g. research grant) are included. |
| IELTS waiver | Research scholarships sometimes waive English tests if the applicant’s prior instruction was in English; some require GRE or TOEFL if not. | Confirm the waiver policy in the specific scholarship call — and whether your prior institution satisfies the English-medium requirement. |
| Apply 2025 for 2026 intake | Many NUS PhD calls (e.g. Data Science) open in mid-2025 for 2026 intake. | Check the exact deadline and whether it is early or late in 2025 for your discipline. |
| Open to all nationalities | NUS scholarships often include international students as eligible for research scholarships. | Confirm eligibility in the call (some scholarships may restrict to certain nationalities or regions). |
Given these comparisons, your strategy should be to monitor NUS Graduate School announcements (especially in Data Science / Engineering areas) and be ready when the call opens.
Why you should aim for NUS in Data Science & Engineering
Why does targeting NUS with these scholarships make sense, especially for candidates from Africa and Asia?
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High research output and industry linkages
NUS is among Asia’s top universities, especially strong in data science, AI, engineering, and computing research. Its proximity to Southeast Asia’s tech hubs is advantageous. -
Generous stipends already existing
The existence of the SGD 3,100/month stipend for Data Science PhD students shows there is budget and precedent for generous support. -
English medium & global orientation
NUS conducts many doctoral programmes in English, making it accessible for international candidates. -
Graduate scholarship expansion potential
Given that undergraduate Global Merit exists, it is plausible that NUS or partners may launch or expand a graduate version for data science/engineering. -
Strong international reputation and networking
Being a scholar at NUS gives you access to global conferences, faculty, labs, and industry tie-ups in Asia and beyond. -
Comparative affordability
Singapore, while expensive in parts, has strong public transportation, safe environment, and many institutional facilities. A well-funded stipend can go further.
Step-by-Step Guide for a 2026 NUS Graduate Scholarship Application (Data Science / Engineering)
Here’s a roadmap you can follow. Note: timeline is approximate and assumes you begin preparations in 2025.
Step 1 — Monitor NUS Graduate School & Data Science institute announcements (early to mid-2025)
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Keep an eye on the NUS Graduate School scholarship page.
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Monitor NUS Data Science / Institute of Data Science (IDS) pages for PhD scholarship postings.
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Look at past calls (e.g. the 2025 Data Science PhD Scholarship) to understand timelines.
Step 2 — Identify potential supervisors & research areas
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Explore faculty in the Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, AI / Systems departments.
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Check their past publications, ongoing projects, grant portfolios.
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Reach out with a short, professional email expressing interest, attaching a research idea or résumé to gauge receptiveness.
Step 3 — Gather foundational documents & eligibility verifications
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Academic transcripts and degree certificates (bachelor’s, possibly master’s)
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Curriculum Vitae highlighting relevant research, projects, programming or engineering work
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At least two recommendation letters (from instructors, supervisors, or industry mentors)
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If required, GRE / TOEFL / IELTS scores (or proof of English-medium prior instruction)
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A brief research proposal or concept note (3–5 pages)
Step 4 — Draft your research proposal & statement
Use this structure:
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Title & abstract
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Introduction & gap literature
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Research questions / problem statement
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Methodology & technical approach
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Plan / timeline
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Relevance to NUS / Singapore / Asia
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Expected outcomes / publications
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Resources / budget (travel, computing, conference)
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Your academic motivation & alignment
Highlight why Singapore / NUS is crucial for your work (data access, computing environment, regional significance).
Step 5 — Prepare the application & review
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When the call opens, follow instructions exactly (format, submission portal).
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Have a review by advisors or peers, especially those familiar with Singapore/NUS proposals.
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Double-check all attachments, signatures, and required forms. Submit earlier than the deadline if possible.
Step 6 — If shortlisted, prepare for interview & negotiation
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Practice explaining your research clearly, defending your methodology, and discussing risks and contingency.
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Be ready to discuss how your project fits into NUS labs or bridging Asia-Africa contexts.
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When offered, read your scholarship agreement carefully: are there obligations (e.g. bond, work requirement)? Accept only after clarity.
Comparison Table: NUS Graduate Scholarships (for Data Science & Engineering) vs Aspirational “Global Merit Graduate”
| Feature | Confirmed / Existing (Data Science / NUS Research) | Aspirational “Global Merit Graduate” | What You Must Confirm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition + fee waiver | Covered under research scholarship | Likely part of “fully funded” package | Ensure no hidden fees (e.g. lab, equipment) |
| Monthly stipend / salary | SGD 3,100/month (for international PhD) in Data Science scholarship | Perhaps higher, depending on fund expansion | Confirm stipend / salary, tax, benefits |
| IELTS / English waiver | Some waiver possibilities if prior degree was English-medium | Many claims include IELTS waiver | Confirm the waiver clause in the call |
| Eligibility (nationalities) | International students included in research scholarships | Many claims “open to all nationalities” | Check nationality eligibility in call |
| Apply 2025 for 2026 | Some past Data Science calls use mid-2025 deadlines (e.g. Aug 2025) | Aspirational calls may open early or late | Watch NUS announcements early in 2025 |
| Duration (PhD) | Typically 4 years for research PhD | May also aim for master’s + PhD packages | Confirm duration and renewal conditions |
This table helps you see where you have a solid footing and where you’ll need to dig deeper in the scholarship call documents.
Key Insights & Tips for Applicants from Africa & Asia
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Start early — many of these calls are very competitive; having your documents, proposal, and network in place before the call opens gives you advantage.
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Demonstrate cross-regional relevance — propose research that connects Singapore / Asia with your home region (e.g. data science applied in African or Asian problems).
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Show computational / technical strength — in data science or engineering proposals, your programming, mathematical, simulation or system skills must be evident.
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Work with a local (Singapore) collaborator or supervisor — even an informal local contact can bolster your application and demonstrate institutional fit.
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Leverage the existing Data Science stipend example — use the fact that NUS already sets SGD 3,100 for international PhD data science as a benchmark in your budget justification. NUS Graduate School (NUSGS)
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Ask for IELTS/TOEFL waiver if possible — if your prior education was entirely in English, request the waiver explicitly in your application.
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Plan your finances and relocation — Singapore cost of living is high, so consider housing, transport, visa, insurance, and budgeting.
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Network with current scholars or alumni — join forums or NUS groups to ask past applicants about subtle tips and changes in cycles.
Strong Statement of Purpose / Proposal Template
Use this as a scaffold for your application documents.
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Title & Abstract (100–150 words): Clear, precise, and enticing.
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Introduction & Context: The broader problem, your angle, literature gap.
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Objectives / Research Questions (3–5): Clear, specific questions you will address.
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Methodology / Technical Approach: Algorithms, data pipelines, experiments, simulations, system design, data collection.
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Timeline / Work Plan: Year-by-year or semester break-down (e.g. Course work → Data collection → Model development → Publications).
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Significance & Relevance to NUS / Asia / Your Region: Why Singapore/NUS is ideal for your research; how your project benefits home region or global knowledge.
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Expected Outputs & Dissemination: Journal papers, open datasets, software tools, conferences.
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Budget / Resource Request (if allowed): Equipment, cloud computing, travel, fieldwork.
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Motivation & Fit: Your academic journey, skills, why you will succeed, how you align with NUS labs.
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Risk & Mitigation: What risks (data access, funding, delays) exist and how you will mitigate them.
Common Mistakes Applicants Make & How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | Why It Harms | Fix / Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Overly ambitious project | Hard to complete in allotted time, reduces feasibility | Scope your objectives modestly and focus on depth over breadth |
| Weak justification for Singapore / NUS as location | Reviewers may doubt fit | Explicitly tie your project to Singapore context, data, labs or collaborations |
| Ignoring stipend and cost of living in budget | You may struggle financially | Calculate expected living costs (housing, food, transport) and compare to stipend benchmarks (e.g., SGD 3,100) |
| Missing document requirements (GRE, recommendation letters) | Disqualification or lowered score | Create a checklist; verify all requirements before submission |
| No prior interaction with potential supervisor | Reduced credibility | Email prospective advisors early, propose research ideas, ask for feedback |
FAQs (Concise but Useful)
Q: Is the NUS Global Merit Scholarship open to graduate (master’s / PhD) students?
A: Currently, the NUS Global Merit Scholarship is largely known as an undergraduate freshmen scholarship. It is not clearly advertised for graduate programmes in Data Science or Engineering.
Q: What is the monthly stipend for international PhD students in Data Science at NUS?
A: Under NUS’s Data-Science Scholarship, international PhD students receive SGD 3,100 per month. NUS Graduate School (NUSGS)
Q: Is tuition fully waived for PhD scholars at NUS?
A: Yes — PhD research scholarships typically include full tuition waiver and the stipend covers living expenses. (This is standard for NUS research scholarships)
Q: Can IELTS or English test requirements be waived?
A: Possibly — if your prior degree was instructed entirely in English, you may be eligible for a waiver. The Data-Science Scholarship mentions English test requirement only when medium of instruction was not English. NUS Graduate School (NUSGS)
Q: When do I apply for 2026 scholarships at NUS?
A: Historically, NUS research / PhD scholarship calls are issued mid-year for the next year’s intake. For instance, a PhD Data Science call had deadline August 4, 2025 for 2026 intake. So you should be ready in early to mid 2025.
Conclusion & Strategic Advice
The “Singapore NUS Global Merit 2026” phrase embodies aspiration: combining the prestige of a “Global Merit” brand with fully funded graduate opportunities in Data Science & Engineering. Today, the “Global Merit” scheme is formally undergraduate, but the presence of existing NUS research scholarships in Data Science with strong stipends shows that fully funded graduate research is a realistic horizon.
If you aspire to such a scholarship, your winning strategy is:
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Monitor NUS Graduate School, Data Science and Engineering departments for upcoming scholarship calls starting early 2025.
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Develop a strong research proposal tied to Singapore / regional context.
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Reach out to prospective supervisors early and build alignment.
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Build a dossier (strong transcripts, letters, research experience).
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Use existing stipend benchmarks (SGD 3,100/month) to calibrate your budget and requests.
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Request IELTS waiver thoughtfully when possible, with supporting proof.
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Apply early, refined, and complete.
“Scholarships don’t seek you—they reward those who are ready. Prepare your research, sharpen your skills, build your network—and when opportunity opens, you’ll be among those who step forward.”
