The Asia Research Institute (ARI) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) offers Postdoctoral and Research Fellowships for the 2026–2027 academic year to scholars focusing on humanities or social sciences research on Asia. These are two-year, fully-funded positions designed to support ambitious scholars who wish to advance their academic careers within an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment. The application deadline for both fellowships is September 30, 2025.
Fellowship types
Postdoctoral Fellowships (ARI)
- Target Group: Early-career researchers with a recent Ph.D.
- Eligibility: Must hold a Ph.D. from a reputable university by the appointment start date. Ph.D. candidates can apply if their graduation is confirmed by the commencement date.
- Requirements: A track record of publications and a clear plan for future high-quality publications are essential.
Research Fellowships (ARI)
- Target Group: More established scholars with significant research experience.
- Eligibility: Must hold a Ph.D. and have at least two years of post-Ph.D. research experience. A well-established publication record and international scholarly visibility are required.
- Expectations: Candidates should have a clear research and publication plan that extends beyond their doctoral work.
Key fellowship details
Remuneration and benefits
- Postdoctoral Fellowship: S$6,000 per month (inclusive of housing and living expenses).
- Research Fellowship: Starting from S$6,250 per month (inclusive of housing and living expenses).
- Additional Support: Travel assistance for eligible candidates, and funding for research fieldwork and conference attendance (subject to approval).
- Singapore Citizens/PRs: Eligible for provident fund benefits.
- Housing: Not provided by the university. Fellows must arrange their own private accommodation.
Duration and start dates
- Duration: Two years, non-renewable.
- Start Dates:
- June/July 2026.
- December 2026/January 2027.
Fellow duties
Fellows are expected to work under the guidance of a Cluster Leader, contribute to organizing workshops and conferences, engage in cluster projects, pursue personal research for publication, and actively participate in institute events.
Research clusters
Applicants need to align their research proposals with one or two of ARI’s interdisciplinary research clusters. Direct communication with cluster leaders regarding research inquiries is encouraged. The current clusters are:
- Asian Urbanisms: Focuses on urban issues and challenges in Asia, including urban heritage, futures, and global urban frontiers.
- Inter-Asia Engagements: Explores historical and contemporary connections within Asia and globally, covering topics such as regional environmental concerns and heritage futures.
- Asian Migrations: Investigates transnational migration, globalization, human mobility, and their effects on health, well-being, and development.
- Food Politics and Society: Examines the political and social aspects of food systems in Asia, including power dynamics, policy, technology, and historical influences.
- Science, Technology, and Society (STS): Studies the relationship between science, technology, and society in Asia, with a focus on climate change, energy transitions, and planetary health.
Application procedure
Applications must be submitted through the NUS online system. The required documents must be combined into a single PDF file and uploaded under the “CV” section. These documents include a CV (max 3 pages), a research synopsis (max 2 pages) detailing the proposed research and its alignment with ARI clusters, a published writing sample, and contact details for at least two referees.
Incomplete applications will not be considered, and the deadline is strictly enforced with no extensions. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, usually within 10 weeks of the deadline.
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