Applied Research Fellowship (START Scheme)

The Applied Research Fellowship aims to provide doctoral candidates who are about to complete or have recently completed their studies an opportunity to engage in advanced training and/or research at an overseas university for one year.

Besides financial support, awardees will also receive academic mentorship.

Upon completion of the Fellowship, awardees will be considered for Assistant Professorship.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

• Singapore citizen
• Doctoral candidates who have recently completed or are about to complete their studies in a discipline under the supported areas for START below
• Excellent academic record plus a high degree of proficiency and motivation for selected research area
• Have been accepted or have applied for a postdoctoral training at a leading overseas university in a research area that is aligned with SIT’s supported areas
• A keen interest in an academic career

Value of Fellowship

The Fellowship provides:

• Monthly stipend
• Overseas maintenance allowance
• Return economy airfare
• Conference and fieldwork grants
• Overseas medical insurance

Fellows will also each be assigned a SIT faculty mentor throughout their post-doctoral training and have opportunities to participate in faculty development programmes.

The fellowship is tenable for one year. On an exception basis, a two-year programme may be supported.

Service Commitment

One year for every year of sponsorship.

Application Process

• Applications are open throughout the year via the various links below. Applications received before 15 January 2026 will be considered for the 2026 intake.
• Interview by the respective clusters for shortlisted applicants will be conducted throughout the year.
• Final Interview by the Panel for shortlisted applicants for the 2026 intake will commence in Mid-March to End April 2026.
• Awards will be finalised by July 2026.

Supported Areas for START - Engineering

• Energy Resilience: Power electronic converters for distributed energy resources and microgrids; High voltage DC transmission and distribution components and systems; Electric propulsions systems for land, sea and air; Wide bandgap solid-state protective devices.
• Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering and Maintenance: Construction technology, Tunnel engineering, Integrated BIM for Civil and MEP design optimisation; Non-destructive testing and prognostic maintenance for infrastructure rejuvenation and life extension.
• Sustainable Maritime Engineering: Ship design and optimisation towards maritime decarbonisation; maritime battery room design for safety; intelligent ship and operations; autonomous vessels and systems.