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EDB Scholarships

Scholarship Masthead Scholarship Masthead

The EDB Scholarships nurture outstanding young talents who are passionate about shaping Singapore’s economy, developing industries, and creating good job opportunities in Singapore. Apply for EDB’s Full-Term Scholarship or Mid-Term Scholarship today!

 

 

Apply for EDB Full-Term Scholarship
Apply for EDB Mid-Term Scholarship

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overview of EDB scholarship

The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) is the lead Government agency responsible for strategies that enhance Singapore’s position as a global centre for business, innovation, and talent. We undertake investment promotion and industry development, and work with international businesses to drive economic growth and create good job opportunities for Singapore.

We offer 2 types of scholarships:

(i) EDB Full-Term Scholarships: For Pre-Uuniversity applicants ready to begin their undergraduate journey; and

(ii) EDB Mid-Term Scholarships: For current university undergraduates up to their penultimate year of studies.

Apply now to join us in our mission!

Value of Award

Tuition Fees

Overseas undergraduate tuition, examination, and other related fees throughout your study programme.

 

EDB also sponsors tuition fees for Master’s degree (subject to conditions)

 

Allowances

Living allowances to cover your expenses from the point of embarking on your undergraduate studies.

 

Development Programmes

We strongly encourage our scholars to take up development programmes in a different country to broaden your global exposure and develop or deepen fluency in foreign languages. We do this by sponsoring additional programmes like Summer School, Language Immersion and Foreign Language Training.

 

For Mid-term Scholarships, mid-term scholars will be offered the same terms of support as full-term scholars from the point of the award, with retrospective payment for all tuition fees and/or any compulsory fees from Year 1 of study onwards.

Undergraduate Degree Master’s Degree
 Maximum Study
Duration (Years)		 Service Commitment
UK/US UK/US 4 6
Non-English-speaking countries* 5
Non-English-speaking countries* - 5^ 5
UK/US/Non-English-speaking countries 6
Singapore (For mid-term scholars from universities in Singapore) UK/US (max 1 year) 5 4
Non-English-speaking countries (max 2 years)

6
 -  UK/ US/ Non-English-speaking countries 2 3

 

* Such as France, Germany, China, and Japan. We are open to discuss your choice of university and country of study with you.

^ including one-year of language bridging before studies, if needed

foreign language

Our scholars will be supported in learning foreign languages, which will be useful for your future work in an international business setting.
 

Foreign Language Development Programme

For scholars who are keen to get a head start in developing foreign language proficiency (e.g. in Japanese, French, Bahasa Indonesia, German) even before heading overseas for your studies, we sponsor language courses at world-class language institutions in Singapore. We also sponsor your overseas language immersion programmes after you attain beginner proficiency.
 

Foreign Language Classes

We also sponsor scholars who are keen to continue learning the above foreign languages during your studies.

eligibility

An EDB Scholarship is for you if:

  • You are motivated to create a positive impact for Singapore and Singaporeans by developing Singapore’s economy through roles in account management, industry development, strategy and policy development; and
  • Possess strong critical thinking abilities and effective communication skills, and demonstrate tenacity to turn possibilities into reality. 
     

Course of Study

EDB’s work is highly diverse in terms of the businesses and industries we engage and the global locations where we operate.

The EDB Scholarships support studies in various disciplines of study, including but not limited to, Engineering, Science and Economics. You will also be supported to learn a foreign language which will be useful for your future work. We also encourage you to pursue interest areas beyond these fields of study through a selection of double majors or minors and/or development programmes.

Disciplines not covered under the EDB Scholarships are Law, Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy. 
 

Eligibility

You should be a Singapore Citizen/PR and a well-rounded individual with strong demonstrated leadership qualities and potential.

For pre-university students beginning their undergraduate journey You should be fulfilling, or have recently completed your final year in an institution which offers:

  • GCE A-levels; or 
  • International Baccalaureate; or 
  • Polytechnic Diploma with merit; or 
  • High School Diploma 

You may apply prior to receiving your final examination results, and up to 2 years after receiving your results.

For current university undergraduates 

You should apply before the final year of your undergraduate studies.

  • If you are in your penultimate year (second last year of study), you need to undergo an internship with us before being considered for a Scholarship. Apply for the Summer Internship Programme and tell us that you would like to be considered for the Scholarship too! You will be fast-tracked to the Scholarship selection panel if you perform well in your Summer Internship.
  • Otherwise, apply directly for the EDB Mid-Term Scholarship.

Application Period

6 October 2025 – 1 March 2026.  

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants who are enlisting for National Service are encouraged to apply early to be scheduled for an interview date prior to your enlistment (subject to availability). Interviews will take place between December 2025 – March 2026.

application process
 

EDB Full-Term Scholarship

For pre-university students beginning their undergraduate journey

Apply for EDB Full-Term Scholarship
 



EDB Mid-Term Scholarship

For current university undergraduates

(a) Before your penultimate year (second last year of study)

Apply for EDB Mid-Term Scholarship
 

(b)   In your penultimate year

Apply for the Summer Internship Programme and tell us that you would like to be considered for the Scholarship too! You will be fast-tracked to the Scholarship selection panel if you perform well in your Summer Internship.


Apply for Summer Internship Programme




Timeline for EDB Scholarship application process

FAQ

If you are purpose-driven and eager to make an impact for Singapore and Singaporeans, we want you! 

As EDB Scholars, you should be:

  • Purpose-driven leaders who aspire to build Singapore’s future and create opportunities for Singaporeans
  • Daring innovators who boldly reimagine Singapore’s future economy and tackle challenges with creative solutions
  • Resilient problem solvers with a can-do spirit to navigate the complex global business environment
  • Dynamic team players who work well as a team to achieve win-win-win for Singapore and Singaporeans

We only have one application window each year. Please refer to the application window dates above.

You do not need your A-level results before applying for the Full-Term EDB Scholarship. We will use your preliminary examination results as part of the evaluation of your scholarship application.

You need not wait till you have completed your National Service to apply. In fact, you are highly encouraged to apply early! If you are shortlisted, time-off will be granted for you to attend the scholarship-related activities e.g. interviews.

You do not need a confirmed university offer at the time of application for the EDB Scholarship. However, we will need you to have a confirmed offer to embark on your studies eventually if you are awarded the scholarship.

EDB scholars have gone to different countries for their studies including Japan, France, Germany, China, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. We also highly encourage you to explore different countries during your studies (e.g. summer school, language and cultural immersion, Master’s) to gain broader global exposure.

EDB’s work is incredibly diverse across businesses, industries and global locations where we operate, and we are happy to support a broad range of study disciplines such as Science, Engineering, Economics, Southeast Asian Studies etc. However, do note that disciplines not covered under the EDB Scholarships are Law, Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy.

Foreign language proficiency is a highly useful skill for an EDB career given our global operating footprint across diverse markets! This is why we support you in learning foreign languages even before you join EDB, so that you will be better equipped to engage effectively with global businesses and markets. Your Scholarship manager will work with you to select a language that complements your career goals and interests.

The EDB Mid-Term Scholarship is open to undergraduate university students studying in universities in Singapore or overseas. You may also be sponsored for an overseas Masters subsequently. We believe the overseas exposure will be beneficial for your development and future work in EDB.

As long as you are not in your penultimate year (i.e. 2nd last year of undergraduate studies), you should apply directly for the EDB Mid-Term Scholarship when applications open in early Oct! In your application form, you should provide your personal details, as well as academic achievements and latest university transcripts.

If you are in your penultimate year, please apply instead for EDB’s Summer Internship Programme and indicate that you would like to be considered for the EDB Mid-Term Scholarship. If you are selected for the internship and perform well, we will fast-track you to the scholarship selection panel.

Upon graduation, you will join the EDB Associate Programme where you will rotate across different business functions in EDB, receive comprehensive training and mentorship before moving into a role in one of our EDB divisions, which considers both organisation needs and individual preferences. Throughout your EDB career, you will have the opportunity to engage different stakeholders, including senior management, industry leaders and other government agencies, gain exclusive insights to global businesses, and contribute to shaping the future of Singapore’s economy.

Do your research, and make sure you know EDB’s mission and business! This is so that you know why an EDB career is for you, and embark on it as an EDB scholar. We appreciate applicants who have a keen interest in shaping Singapore’s economy through industry development and investment promotion, and are passionate about how global businesses operate, so that you can build and secure Singapore’s future.

You should also demonstrate strong analytical and critical thinking skills, a high level of initiative, drive, resourcefulness and adaptability, and being able to lead as well as being a great team player. Use your past experiences and concrete examples to demonstrate that you possess these qualities. 

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