Program guide

How to apply to A*STAR Research Attachment Programme (ARAP)

Lets PhD students at overseas partner universities spend 1-2 years doing joint research at A*STAR institutes in Singapore, with stipend, housing and travel support.

Official page Listing details

Step by step

Check that you are eligibleThe published rules: Open to students, researchers; Overseas PhD students jointly nominated by their home university and an A*STAR supervisor; at least a Second-Class (Upper) bachelor's degree and a good research track record.
Gather the materialsYou will need: Nomination packet, Research proposal, Recommendation letters (drafts for your referees), Transcript.
Write the answersCheck whether you must apply through your university's international office; many exchanges need a nomination.
Submit on the official pageApply through the official page (Supervisor nomination) before 1 December 2026, and keep the confirmation.
Follow upNote when results are due. If the organiser invites questions, ask once, briefly, after the date has passed.

Timeline

42 days before the deadlineAsk referees and order documentsAsk your referees, and order transcripts or score reports; these depend on other people's timelines.
By 3 November 2026Draft the statementDraft the statement around one clear plan, with evidence from your record.
By 21 November 2026Review and remindReview against the selection criteria; gently remind referees of the date.
By 29 November 2026Submit and keep the confirmationSubmit early and check that every reference shows as received.

At a glance

Organizer: A*STAR Graduate Academy (Singapore)
Timing: Apply by 1 December 2026
Cycle: Twice a year; A*STAR researchers submit nominations by 1 June or 1 December.
Where: Singapore, Singapore · open to applicants worldwide
What you get: monthly stipend · monthly housing allowance
Cost: Free to apply and take part
Applied through: Supervisor nomination

Who can apply

Open to students, researchers
Overseas PhD students jointly nominated by their home university and an A*STAR supervisor; at least a Second-Class (Upper) bachelor's degree and a good research track record.

Materials checklist

Nomination packetOnward Scout drafts it from your sourced profile; you approve every line.
Research proposalUpload yours, or let Onward Scout draft one from your profile for you to edit.
Recommendation letters (drafts for your referees)Upload yours, or let Onward Scout draft one from your profile for you to edit.
TranscriptOnly you can supply it: upload it once and it is attached wherever it is asked for.

Questions you will meet, answered honestly

Why do you want to take part?

Name the courses or experience you can't get at home and how they fit your studies.

How will you fund your stay?

List real sources. If you are applying for the program's own funding, say so.

What reviewers of exchange and summer programs look for

Check whether you must apply through your university's international office; many exchanges need a nomination.
Confirm credit transfer with your department before you go.
Look for funding attached to the program; some summer schools waive fees for selected participants.

The full playbook for exchange and summer programs

How Onward Scout helps

This one is submitted on the organiser's own site, behind your login. Onward Scout prepares every answer and file in the form's order with one-tap copy, so submitting takes minutes; you mark it submitted when you're done.

Let Onward Scout apply for me

Let Onward Scout prepare your A*STAR Research Attachment Programme (ARAP) application

Get your application answers for this programme, drafted from your own documents in about two minutes. Free to start, no account needed. Every answer is drafted from your own documents with sources, and nothing is submitted without your tap.

Let Onward Scout apply for me Open it in your Scout board

Nothing is submitted without your tap. Logins, CAPTCHAs, payments and interviews stay with you.