Author: Michael | Last Updated: August 5, 2026

The Singapore‑MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) offers graduate fellowships for students pursuing research‑based engineering degrees in Singapore, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The fellowship covers tuition fees, monthly stipends, and travel allowances for research stays in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Awardees gain access to laboratories and faculty at MIT as well as partner universities in Singapore, including the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
Fellowship Benefits and Allowance
- Tuition Fee Complete waiver
- Monthly Living Allowance
- MIT Residency Allowance
- A single allowance to assist with textbooks, lab software, and conference registration fees.
Eligibility Requirements
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, applied physics, or related field.
- Secure admission or apply concurrently to a full-time Master of Engineering.
- Proposed engineering research must be aligned.
- Non-native English speakers must submit valid TOEFL or IELTS examination scores.
Required Documents
- Academic Transcripts (Translated to English if original files are in another language).
- An updated Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- A written proposal/Research Statemen
- Recommendation Letters.
- Official GRE score reports and English language test results (if required).
- Clear scan of your passport bio-page or national identification card.
Fellows’ Duties and Academic Expectations
Academic Standards
- Fellows must maintain a minimum CAP of 3.8 out of 5.0 across all coursework.
- A single shortfall triggers an academic review.
- Two consecutive semesters below the threshold lead to termination of the fellowship.
Research Commitments
- Fellows dedicate at least 40 hours per week to their assigned project in the host lab or Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG).
- Progress reports are submitted to faculty advisors every six months.
- Doctoral candidates must pass the qualifying exam before the end of their second year.
Graduate Assistantship Program (GAP)
- Awardees complete up to 416 hours of departmental service during their candidature.
- Typical duties include:
- Grading undergraduate assignments
- Demonstrating lab techniques
- Leading weekly discussion sections
Seminar and Symposium Participation
- Weekly departmental seminars, annual symposia, and guest lectures are compulsory.
- Fellows present their own research at least once per academic year to faculty and peers.
Research Residency Rules
- Fellows undertaking research stays at partner institutions (e.g., MIT) must submit an approved itinerary before travel.
- Thesis writing and oral defenses must be completed back at the host campus in Singapore.
Intellectual Property and Ethics
- All fellows sign institutional agreements covering patents and publications.
- Research outputs must acknowledge fellowship funding.
- Strict adherence to research integrity policies is required.
Important Timelines
| Portal Opening | September |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | December 31 / Early January |
| Document Review | January – February |
| Panel Interviews | March |
| Award Notification | April – May |
| Academic Year Start | August |
Late submissions are excluded from review. Verify the exact cutoff date on the official host department’s portal before submitting files.
To Proceed further
Proceed by reviewing active SMART interdisciplinary research themes to find an engineering supervisor whose focus matches your background. Apply for graduate research admission at NUS or NTU, checking the box for the SMART Graduate Fellowship in the funding section. Upload your transcripts, CV, test scores, and research proposal to the website before the December deadline. Track your status to confirm your academic references complete their submission forms.
Visit the Official SMART Graduate Fellowship Website Here
Check KWI Research Scholarship Fellowship, Florida State University Scholarship and Bond University HDR Scholarship in Australia detailed guides to explore other helpful scholarship opportunities.
Michael – Founder and Editor at Suretripacademia, your dedicated resource for unlocking global mobility and international educational opportunities. WhatsApp l Facebook l TikTok
TRANSPARENCY NOTE: This comprehensive guide contains carefully vetted insights to help you navigate global mobility opportunities. Kindly Read Our Full Editorial Disclaimer.
