AI Singapore (AISG) PhD Fellowship 2025/2026 - Fully Funded

The AISG PhD Fellowship Programme 2025/2026 is a prestigious initiative by AI Singapore (AISG), designed to foster and support top AI research talent pursuing PhDs in Singapore-based Autonomous Universities (AUs). This fellowship aims to cultivate a local talent pool capable of conducting advanced AI research and creating cutting-edge AI models, algorithms, and systems. Through this program, AISG strives to enhance Singapore’s AI research capabilities, contributing to the local AI ecosystem and making Singapore a global leader in AI innovation.

Why Apply for the AISG PhD Fellowship?

The AISG PhD Fellowship is an ideal program for aspiring AI researchers seeking to make an impact in AI research, AI ethics, and privacy. With Singapore’s emphasis on trustworthy AI and its commitment to privacy-aware solutions, fellows will gain a unique advantage in developing responsible AI solutions that meet today’s high standards of privacy and transparency. Moreover, Singapore’s vibrant AI community offers numerous opportunities for collaboration and real-world applications.

This fellowship will provide selected candidates with a platform to innovate, develop, and contribute to the AI ecosystem, preparing them for impactful careers in AI research and development.

Key Features of the AISG PhD Fellowship Programme

The AISG PhD Fellowship Programme offers an attractive opportunity for both local and international AI talents with its competitive stipends and comprehensive support. Here are the main highlights:

• Monthly Stipend: The fellowship provides a competitive monthly stipend of up to S$6,000, plus additional allowances and full tuition coverage for up to four years.
• Broad Eligibility: Candidates of all nationalities are eligible to apply, promoting a diverse pool of talents from across the globe.
• Publication Requirement: Fellows are expected to publish novel and impactful AI research in top-tier AI journals and conferences.
• Collaboration Opportunities: Fellowship recipients can participate in AISG initiatives like 100Experiments, AI Products, AI Grand Challenges, and AI Technology Challenges, gaining hands-on experience in real-world AI projects.

Key Research Themes

AISG’s research is focused on a few vital AI themes that align with Singapore’s vision of being a trusted, responsible, and innovative AI hub:

• Trustworthy and Explainable AI: Building AI systems that are transparent, reliable, and adhere to Singapore’s “trust” brand.
• Privacy-aware AI: Ensuring privacy-preserving AI models that learn from sensitive datasets without compromising individuals' privacy.
• Resource-efficient AI: Developing methods to train AI with smaller datasets, a critical factor for countries like Singapore with limited local data.
• Collaborative AI: Leveraging Singapore's diverse population and expertise in Natural Language Processing (NLP) to foster AI models that understand cultural nuances.
• Continuous Learning AI: Aiming to develop autonomous systems capable of incremental learning, progressing towards Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).

This scholarship is open to students of all nationalities.

• To be eligible, applicants should intend to pursue a full-time PhD or be within the first two years of their PhD studies in one of Singapore’s Autonomous Universities: 

1. National University of Singapore (NUS)
2. Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
3. Singapore Management University (SMU)
4.  University of Technology and Design (SUTD).

• For new PhD candidates, applications should be submitted through the relevant AU’s standard application process, and the universities will then recommend qualified candidates to AISG. Existing PhD students interested in the fellowship should contact their university’s graduate office for eligibility details.

Application Timelines and Deadlines for Singapore AUs

Each AU has unique application deadlines for the fellowship program:

August 2025 Intake

1. Nanyang Technological University (NTU):

• Application Period: October 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025

2. National University of Singapore (NUS):

• School of Computing (SoC): Deadline – December 15, 2024

Engineering: 

• International / Local (Round 1 Scholarship) – January 1, 2025
• Local (No Scholarship / Round 2 Scholarship) – April 1, 2025

3. Singapore Management University (SMU):

• Application Period: August 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025

4. Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD):

• Application Deadline: March 31, 2025

January 2026 Intake

1. Nanyang Technological University (NTU):

Application Period: June 1, 2025, to July 31, 2025

2. National University of Singapore (NUS):

School of Computing (SoC): 

• International Applicants – June 15, 2025
• Local Applicants – September 15, 2025

Engineering:

International / Local (Round 1 Scholarship) – July 1, 2025

Local (No Scholarship / Round 2 Scholarship) – September 1, 2025

3. Singapore Management University (SMU):

• Application Period: February 1, 2025, to June 30, 2025

4.Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD):

• Application Deadline: September 30, 2025