SG Academies South-East Asia Fellowship (SASEAF) Programme 2025-2026

If you're an early-career researcher from an ASEAN country seeking to advance your postdoctoral career through international collaboration, the SG Academies South-East Asia Fellowship (SASEAF) Programme 2025 offers a prestigious, fully funded opportunity to conduct impactful research in Singapore. Applications are now open for the final call under the RIE2025 initiative, with a deadline of 1 August 2025.

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🎓 SASEAF Fellowship Summary

• Location: Singapore

• Host Institution: Various Singapore research institutions (e.g., NUS, NTU, A*STAR, SUTD) (Full list here)

• Academic Level: Postdoctoral

• Target Group: Citizens of ASEAN countries (excluding Singapore)

• Fields of Research: Open to all disciplines; preferred areas include Infectious Diseases, Population/Public Health, and Sustainability

• Funding: Monthly stipend of S$4,000–S$6,500; S$4,000 travel support

• Duration: 2 years (with a 6-month option for infectious disease projects)

• Application Deadline: 1 August 2025

• Start Date: March 2026 (projected)

• Eligible To: ASEAN nationals under 40, with PhD and affiliation to a public research institution in their home country

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📘 Fellowship Overview

The SASEAF Programme, administered by the Singapore National Academy of Science (SNAS) in partnership with the Academy of Medicine Singapore and the Academy of Engineering Singapore, aims to foster scientific collaboration between Singapore and Southeast Asia. Fellows will engage in research at leading Singaporean institutions, contributing to regional development and scientific advancement.

Preferred Research Areas:

• Infectious Diseases (with potential integration into the PREPARE programme by NRF and MOH)

• Population/Public Health

• Sustainability, including Urban Agriculture

Short-Term Option: A 6-month fellowship is available for dry-lab infectious disease projects, facilitating shorter absences from home institutions and strengthening regional research networks.

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🎁 Fellowship Benefits

• Stipend: S$4,000–S$6,500 per month, based on qualifications and experience.

• Travel Support: S$4,000 to cover arrival and departure expenses.

• Professional Development: Access to seminars, workshops, and training programmes.

• Networking: Integration into a growing network of Southeast Asian researchers and fellows.

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✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be citizens of an ASEAN country (excluding Singapore) and reside outside Singapore.

• Hold a PhD from a recognized institution.

• Be employed by or have a confirmed offer from a public-sector research institution in their home country.

• Be under 40 years old at the application deadline.

• Demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English.

Diversity is encouraged; applications from all genders, ethnicities, and backgrounds are welcome.

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📝 Application Procedure

1. Review Eligibility: Ensure all criteria are met.

2. Identify Host PI: Research available professors/principal investigators in Singaporean institutions and their areas of study.

3. Develop Proposal: Collaborate with the chosen PI to create a concise research proposal (max 2 pages).

4. Obtain Approval: Secure in-principle approval from the host PI, sent from their official email.

5. Prepare Documents: Combine the following into a single PDF:

   • Completed application form

   • Research proposal

   • Certified copies of diplomas and transcripts

   • Host PI’s approval email

6. Submit Application: Upload the PDF to the designated portal.

7. Reference Letters: Instruct two referees (preferably independent) to submit recommendation letters directly through the provided link.

🗓️ Application Deadline: 1 August 2025

🕵🏻 Judging Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Academic Qualifications & Performance: 15%

• Work Experience in Public Research Institutions: 15%

• Relevance of Proposed Research to the Region: 15%

• Quality of Proposal: 20%

• Direct Benefit to Singapore & Home Country: 15%

• Influence in Home Organisation: 10%

• Likelihood of Continuing Research in Home Country Post-Fellowship: 10%

📅 Timeline

• Call for Applications: 2 May 2025

• Application Deadline: 1 August 2025

• Evaluation & Deliberation: August – September 2025

• Offers Sent: October 2025

• Fellowship Start Date: March 2026 (projected)

📬 Contact Information

For queries, contact the SNAS administrator at: general@snas.org.sg

🔗 OFFICIAL LINK

SG Academies South-East Asia Fellowship (SASEAF) Programme 2025-2026

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