Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship 2025 in Singapore

Omran Aburayya
May 27
3 min read

If you're a researcher, historian, curator, or academic with a passion for Southeast Asian studies, the Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship 2025 offers a prestigious opportunity to delve into Singapore's rich historical archives. Applications are now open for this fully funded six-month residential fellowship, hosted by the National Library Board (NLB) of Singapore. Fellows will engage in in-depth research utilizing the extensive collections of the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library and the National Archives of Singapore, which encompass materials dating from the 16th century to contemporary times.

📝 Fellowship Summary

Location: Singapore
Host Institution: National Library Board (NLB)
Study Level: Doctoral, Postdoctoral, and Advanced Research
Target Group: Curators, Historians, Academics, Independent Researchers
Fields of Focus:
- Singapore contemporary literature or theatre (from the 1950s)
- Comparative studies of early Singapore/Malaya from Western and Asian perspectives
- Arts and culture in early 20th-century Singapore and Malaya
- World War II studies using donor collections
- Social history of pre-independent Singapore/Malaya
- Chinese community studies via clan association archives
- Natural history and biodiversity
- Economic sectors and professions in Singapore within global historical contexts
- Local histories of specific places and spaces in Singapore
- Cultural heritage studies using the Asian Children’s Literature Collection
Funding:
- Monthly stipend of S$3,500
- For overseas fellows:
  - One-time relocation allowance of S$1,500
  - Return airfare reimbursement up to S$1,500
  - Monthly accommodation allowance up to S$3,500
Duration: 6 months
Application Deadline: 30 May 2025
Start Date: To be confirmed upon selection
Eligible to: All nationalities

📚 Scholarship Overview

The Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship is designed to support scholars in conducting original research that leverages the rich resources of the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library and the National Archives of Singapore. The fellowship emphasizes the importance of utilizing the library's collections, which include early imprints, maps, manuscripts, and personal archives that document the historical and cultural development of Singapore and the Southeast Asian region.

🎁 Fellowship Benefits

Financial Support:
- Monthly stipend of S$3,500 to cover living expenses, local transportation, and research-related costs.
- For international fellows:
  - One-time relocation allowance of S$1,500.
  - Return airfare reimbursement up to S$1,500.
  - Monthly accommodation allowance up to S$3,500.
Research Facilities:
- Dedicated research space at the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library with computer and internet access.
- Access to the library's extensive collections and archives.
- Assistance from library staff in identifying and utilizing relevant resources.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Open to both Singaporean and international applicants.
Applicants should have a strong academic background and research credentials.
Suitable for curators, historians, academics, and independent researchers with a proven track record.
Doctoral, postdoctoral, and advanced researchers are encouraged to apply.
Research proposals should align with the preferred fields of study and demonstrate the potential to contribute significantly to the understanding of Singapore and Southeast Asia.

📝 Application Procedure

Application Process:

Complete the official application form.
Prepare the following documents:
- Detailed research proposal outlining objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Copies of academic transcripts and certificates.
- Two letters of recommendation.
Submit your application by 30 May 2025 via:
- Email: LKCRF@nlb.gov.sg
- Mail
  The AdministratorLee Kong Chian Research FellowshipNational Library HeadquartersNational Library Board100 Victoria Street, #14-01Singapore 188064

Note: Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants will be notified of the outcome within three months of the closing date.

📌 Obligations of the Fellowship

Fellows are required to reside in Singapore and spend at least 75% of their time at the library during the fellowship period.
Deliver at least one public presentation to library staff and another to the general public based on their research findings.
Compile a resource guide (annotated bibliography) highlighting key resources and readings related to their research topic.
Submit two research papers (3,000 and 6,000 words) within three months after the fellowship ends, including 6–8 images, minimal footnotes, and a list of references.
Grant the National Library Board the first right to publish the research findings, with the possibility of repackaging content in different formats.
Provide a written analysis of the fellowship experience within one month after completion.
Advise the library on potential collection gaps to enhance research competencies.
Submit a copy of any published work resulting from the fellowship, acknowledging the support of the National Library of Singapore.