The FASS Dean’s PhD Fellowship is a prestigious doctoral fellowship offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) at the National University of Singapore (NUS). The Faculty introduced the fellowship in 2015 to recognize exceptional incoming PhD students and provide them with an additional year of financial support beyond their standard NUS graduate scholarship. The fellowship allows recipients to complete their doctoral research without financial pressure during the final stage of their candidature. Moreover, it supports outstanding researchers as they prepare to complete their theses and contribute to academic excellence.

Background and Purpose

The fellowship aims to encourage outstanding doctoral research within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Therefore, it provides additional funding to highly promising PhD candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and research potential. The program enables fellows to dedicate their final year entirely to completing and refining their doctoral thesis. In addition, the fellowship strengthens the Faculty’s commitment to producing high-quality research and developing future scholars who can make meaningful contributions to their academic disciplines.

FASS Dean’s PhD Fellowship Benefits

The fellowship provides one additional year of financial support after the recipient’s regular NUS scholarship expires. As a result, fellows can focus exclusively on completing their doctoral research without financial concerns. The funding covers tuition fees and living expenses during the final year of study. Furthermore, recipients who submit their thesis before the fellowship ends may continue as Dean’s Graduate Writing Fellows for the remainder of the award period. This designation allows them to revise their thesis for publication, although it does not provide additional financial benefits.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must secure admission as full-time PhD students within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and receive an eligible NUS scholarship. Departments nominate the most outstanding candidates for the fellowship during the admission process. Each year, the Faculty awards up to three fellowships to exceptional applicants based on academic excellence and research potential. In addition, recipients must maintain high academic standards throughout their candidature to remain eligible for the fellowship.

FASS Dean’s PhD Fellowship Application Process

Applicants do not submit a separate fellowship application. Instead, departments nominate eligible PhD candidates who have already received admission and an eligible NUS scholarship. Afterwards, the Faculty reviews the nominations and selects the most promising candidates for the fellowship based on their academic achievements and research potential.

Opportunities for Scholars

The fellowship gives scholars dedicated time and financial support to complete and strengthen their doctoral research. Moreover, recipients can focus on producing a high-quality thesis and preparing their research for publication. Fellows must submit their thesis within twelve months of the start of the fellowship and complete their PhD within five years. Consequently, graduates strengthen their research profile, increase their publication opportunities, and prepare for successful careers in academia, research institutions, public organizations, and other knowledge-intensive sectors.