Every year, thousands of talented researchers across Southeast Asia dream of working in Singapore — one of the world’s most advanced scientific hubs. In 2026, that dream has a clear pathway: the Singapore-Southeast Asia Fellowship (S-SEAF), offered by A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research). This fully supported research fellowship connects outstanding STEM researchers between Singapore and the broader Southeast Asian region — funding your salary, your flight, and your living costs for up to two full years.
Whether you are a researcher based in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, or another ASEAN country looking to conduct groundbreaking research in Singapore — or a Singapore-based researcher eager to collaborate across the region — Gradualin has put together this complete guide to help you understand, prepare, and apply with confidence.
🎓 Quick Info Box
| Detail | Information |
| Fellowship Name | Singapore-Southeast Asia Fellowship (S-SEAF) |
| Offered By | A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research) |
| Country | Singapore (Inbound) / Southeast Asia (Outbound) |
| Level | Post-PhD Research Fellowship |
| Funding Type | Fully Supported (Salary + Living Allowance + Airfare) |
| Application Deadline | 1 August 2026 |
| Open To | ASEAN Citizens (Inbound) / Singapore Citizens & PRs (Outbound) |
| Duration | 6 months to 2 years |
| Official Website | www.a-star.edu.sg/Research/sseaf |
🎓 Fellowship Overview
The Singapore-Southeast Asia Fellowship (S-SEAF) is a prestigious, government-backed research mobility program launched by A*STAR, Singapore’s leading public research agency. It was designed with a clear mission: to build deeper, lasting scientific ties between Singapore and Southeast Asia by enabling researchers to physically work across borders.
This is not a scholarship in the traditional sense. It is a funded research fellowship — meaning you are placed as an active researcher at a host institution, working on real scientific projects that matter to the region and the world. The program runs two pathways:
- Inbound S-SEAF: ASEAN-based researchers come to Singapore to work at world-class research institutes or universities.
- Outbound S-SEAF: Singapore-based researchers travel to Southeast Asian countries to collaborate with institutions there.
What makes S-SEAF stand out is its focus on two-way talent mobility — it is not just Singapore attracting the best minds from the region; it is also Singapore sending its researchers outward to build genuine partnerships. This mutual exchange model is rare in the global fellowship landscape, and it reflects Singapore’s long-term commitment to regional science diplomacy.
A*STAR itself manages some of the most advanced research institutes in Asia, spanning biomedical sciences, engineering, and data science. Being associated with A*STAR as an S-SEAF Fellow is a significant career credential.
🎓 Benefits & Award Coverage
Here’s the best part — S-SEAF covers your core living and professional costs so you can focus entirely on your research. Here is exactly what is funded:
- ✅ Monthly Salary: Set by your host institution (for inbound fellows) or your home institution (for outbound fellows) — funded by S-SEAF up to a specific cap (verify exact cap on official website)
- ✅ Monthly Living Allowance: S$2,000 per month (approximately USD 1,480/month at current rates)
- ✅ Airfare: One return economy-class ticket between your country of residence and the host institution’s country
Over a 2-year fellowship, the living allowance alone amounts to S$48,000 (≈ USD 35,500) — and that is on top of your funded salary. Combined, this is a highly competitive package that removes the financial burden of international relocation entirely.
What makes this different from other fellowships? Most research mobility grants cover only travel or only stipend. S-SEAF combines both salary support AND living allowance AND airfare — making it one of the most complete research funding packages available to ASEAN researchers in 2026.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
Before you apply, make sure you meet the following requirements:
For ALL applicants:
- ✅ Must hold a PhD degree in a STEM discipline
- ✅ Must be fluent in written and spoken English
- ✅ Must be employed by a Singapore institution for the entire fellowship duration
For Inbound S-SEAF (ASEAN → Singapore):
- ✅ Must be a citizen of an ASEAN country (excluding Singapore PRs)
- ✅ Host institution must be based in Singapore (A*STAR institute, autonomous university, academic medical centre, or national research centre)
For Outbound S-SEAF (Singapore → Southeast Asia):
- ✅ Must be a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident
- ⚠️ Singapore PRs who are nationals of an ASEAN country cannot apply for outbound attachments to their home country
🔵 Important Note on English Proficiency: No separate IELTS or TOEFL score is required for this fellowship. English fluency is assessed as part of the overall application and research proposal — making this accessible to researchers who have always conducted their work in English but may not hold a recent language test certificate.
🎓 Who Should Apply (And Who Should Not)
✅ Apply if you:
- Hold a PhD in any STEM field and want to advance your research career internationally
- Are an ASEAN-based researcher eager to work in Singapore’s cutting-edge science ecosystem
- Are a Singapore-based researcher looking to build genuine collaborations across Southeast Asia
- Are working in Infectious Diseases, Health Sciences, Engineering, Digital Economy, or Sustainability
- Have already identified a potential host institution or have existing research networks in Singapore or ASEAN
❌ Do not apply if you:
- Have not yet completed your PhD degree
- Are a Singapore PR who is also an ASEAN national and want an outbound fellowship to your home country (not eligible)
- Cannot begin your fellowship within one year of receiving the award
- Do not have a clear, feasible research proposal aligned with S-SEAF themes
🎓 Research Themes & Available Fields
S-SEAF gives priority to proposals that align with its identified research themes for each cycle. For the 2026 cycle, the confirmed themes include:
Anchor Theme (always prioritized):
- 🔬 Infectious Diseases — research that directly addresses pandemic preparedness, emerging pathogens, diagnostics, or treatment in the Southeast Asian context
Additional Priority Theme:
- (To be published when applications officially open — check the official S-SEAF page for updates)
Open Domains (all RIE2030 areas welcome):
- 🏭 Manufacturing, Trade and Connectivity
- 🏥 Human Health and Potential
- 🌱 Urban Solutions and Sustainability
- 💻 Smart Nation and Digital Economy
The good news is that proposals across all four RIE2030 domains are welcome, even if they are not the priority theme. If your research has strong regional relevance and scientific novelty, your application will be seriously considered.
🎓 Required Documents
Prepare the following before applying:
- ✅ Completed S-SEAF Application Form (endorsed by your proposed host institution — download from the official website)
- ✅ Details of two referees who are familiar with your research and professional capabilities
- ✅ Passport copy
- ✅ Curriculum Vitae (CV) — academic and research focused
- ✅ Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificates — Bachelor’s, Master’s (if applicable), and PhD
- ✅ Host Institution Endorsement — your proposed host must co-develop and sign off on your research proposal
⚠️ Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Start collecting documents early — especially the host institution endorsement, which requires prior engagement and negotiation.
🎓 Step-by-Step Application Process
Follow these steps carefully to maximize your chances:
- Identify your research theme — Review the S-SEAF priority themes and map your research expertise to the most relevant area.
- Find a suitable host institution — Search institutional websites, recent publications, and reach out to Principal Investigators (PIs) whose work aligns with yours. Use your conference contacts, former supervisors, or A*STAR’s research institute pages.
- Initiate contact early — Reach out to your prospective host institution well before the August deadline, as endorsement takes time.
- Co-develop your research proposal — Work collaboratively with your host to create a strong, feasible proposal that highlights novelty, regional impact, and alignment with S-SEAF themes.
- Prepare your full application — Download the S-SEAF Application Form from the official website, fill it in completely, and get it endorsed.
- Gather all supporting documents — CV, transcripts, passports, and referee details must all be ready.
- Submit via the official portal — Apply through the government form at form.gov.sg/69898e364ebfb82975b28514
- Await evaluation — Results are typically announced in November of the application year.
💡 Pro Tip: Proposals that demonstrate clear, measurable impact on Singapore-Southeast Asia research collaboration — not just academic novelty — score significantly higher in evaluation.
🎓 Important Dates & Deadlines
| Timeline | Date |
| Applications Open | April 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 1 August 2026 |
| Award Results Announced | November 2026 |
🔖 Bookmark this page and check back for updates — the secondary priority theme for 2026 is yet to be published on the official website.
🎓 Why Apply — Why Singapore & A*STAR
Singapore is consistently ranked among the top countries in the world for research output, innovation, and scientific infrastructure. As a fellow at an A*STAR-affiliated institution, you will have access to state-of-the-art laboratories, a multicultural research community, and one of Asia’s most dynamic cities.
Here is what makes this fellowship a genuine career accelerator:
- 🌏 Singapore is a global science hub — home to some of the world’s most cited researchers and top-ranked universities
- 🔬 A*STAR’s network spans 20+ research institutes covering biomedical, physical, and computational sciences
- 🤝 Southeast Asia is the next frontier — regional research collaboration is increasingly funded and valued by global science agencies
- 💼 Career impact: S-SEAF alumni often continue collaborations post-fellowship, secure subsequent grants, or transition to permanent roles in Singapore or regional institutions
- 🏙️ Quality of life: Singapore’s safety, efficiency, and world-class healthcare make it an excellent base for international researchers and their families
For outbound fellows, working in Southeast Asia opens doors to new data sources, populations, and research contexts that are impossible to access from Singapore alone — a significant advantage for health, agricultural, environmental, and social science research.
🎓 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is IELTS or TOEFL required for the S-SEAF Fellowship? A: No formal English language test score is required. Applicants must demonstrate fluency in written and spoken English, which is assessed through the application materials and research proposal — not a standardized test certificate.
Q: Can I apply if I completed my PhD outside of ASEAN or Singapore? A: Yes, as long as you meet the nationality requirements. For inbound fellows, you must be a citizen of an ASEAN country. Your PhD institution’s country is not a barrier, provided you hold a STEM PhD.
Q: Do I need to secure a host institution before applying? A: Yes — this is mandatory. Your application must be endorsed by the proposed host institution, and you need to co-develop the research proposal with them. Start this process early, as it is often the most time-consuming part.
Q: Can I apply for the inbound fellowship if I am currently living outside my home ASEAN country? A: Yes. What matters is your citizenship, not your current country of residence. However, the airfare covered is between your country of residence and Singapore.
Q: What happens if my research proposal does not match the priority themes? A: S-SEAF welcomes proposals across all four RIE2030 domains even if they do not match the priority themes. Matching the anchor theme (Infectious Diseases) gives a competitive advantage but is not mandatory for consideration.
Q: When will the second priority theme for 2026 be announced? A: A*STAR states it will be published when applications officially open. Monitor a-star.edu.sg/Research/sseaf for the latest update.
🎓 Official Source & Contact
- 🌐 Official Fellowship Page: https://www.a-star.edu.sg/Research/sseaf
- 📄 Download Factsheet: S-SEAF Factsheet PDF
- 📝 Application Form: S-SEAF Application Form 2026 (DOCX)
- 🖥️ Apply Now: form.gov.sg/69898e364ebfb82975b28514
- 📧 Contact Email: SSEAF@a-star.edu.sg
🎓 Complete Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
| Fellowship Name | Singapore-Southeast Asia Fellowship (S-SEAF) |
| Offered By | A*STAR, Singapore |
| Pathways | Inbound (ASEAN → Singapore) & Outbound (Singapore → ASEAN) |
| Eligibility | PhD holders in STEM; ASEAN citizens (inbound) / SG Citizens or PRs (outbound) |
| IELTS Required? | No — English fluency assessed via application materials |
| Funding | Salary support + S$2,000/month living allowance + return airfare |
| Duration | 6 months to 2 years |
| Priority Theme | Infectious Diseases (anchor) + additional theme TBA |
| Application Opens | April 2026 |
| Deadline | 1 August 2026 |
| Results | November 2026 |
| Apply | Official Portal |
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