FAQ

For 'A' Level, International Baccalaureate, Polytechnic and NUS High Students and Mid-Term Undergraduates:

You may apply for the NEW Scholarship through two routes of application.
(a) Open Application: You will undergo activity-based assessments, aptitude tests and interviews, typically held between March and May. Application opens in October and closes 2 weeks after the release of the GCE 'A' Level results; or
(b) NEW Internship¹: You will be assessed through work-based learning activities and will be required to present a project finding to the agency to qualify for recommendation for the NEW Scholarship. The internship period will be between December to March.

For Graduates:

The Master's Scholarship under the NEW Scholarship is offered by NEA and PUB. For the Master's Scholarship, you may apply all year round.

For applicants interested in the Master's Scholarship, you may apply up to a year ahead of your intended year of commencement of your Master's studies.

SFA offers postgraduate scholarships to applicants who are currently pursuing/interested to pursue a Master's or PhD at an established university (local or overseas). For more information, please visit www.sfa.gov.sg/careers/scholarships.

The NEW Scholarship is offered for undergraduate studies with the possibility of Masters studies. The Masters Scholarship is offered for Masters studies only.

To apply for the NEW Scholarship, please click here.

'A' Level, International Baccalaureate, Polytechnic and NUS High Students:

Please submit your latest results, i.e.:

• Preliminary exam results if you are in J2
• Promotional exam results if you are in J1
• 'A' Level results if you have already graduated from JC
• Cumulative GPA for 5 semesters if you are studying in a Polytechnic
• Latest cumulative grades for NUS High students

Also, include your full GCE 'O' Level results or equivalent.

Mid-Term Undergraduates:

Please submit your latest university results with your GCE 'O' Level and GCE 'A' Level/IB/Polytechnic/NUS High results.

All schemes of the NEW Scholarship are open to Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents with outstanding academic results, noteworthy CCA records and choice of university disciplines that meet the needs of NEA, PUB and SFA. Singapore Permanent Residents are required to take up Singapore Citizenship upon successful award of the Scholarship.

Besides strong academic results, noteworthy CCA records and choice of university disciplines that meet the needs of NEA, PUB and SFA, we look for people who display good character, intellectual capacity and leadership quality. We also look for people who possess good interpersonal and communication skills, and are keen to join us to work in the environment, food and water industry. If you have what it takes, you are who we want.

No, you may apply for the university and the Scholarship concurrently.

You may apply before your enlistment by sending in your application after you have received your 'A' Level results.

No.

NEW Scholars may get the opportunity to pursue postgraduate degrees immediately after their undergraduate studies. This sponsorship is, however, subject to approval and the scholar's fulfilment of certain criteria.

No. NEW Scholarships are offered for undergraduate studies at any of Singapore's local universities (NUS, NTU, SUTD, SMU, SIT) – including NUS's Global Engineering Programme and NTU's Renaissance Engineering Programme – or any established overseas universities (e.g. institutions in US, UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, China, Japan, Switzerland).

NEW Scholarship:

For local undergraduates, the Scholarship covers maintenance allowance, tuition and compulsory fees, computer and book allowance, and hostel fees where applicable. Scholars may request for sponsorship of summer programs and exchange programs.

For overseas undergraduates, the Scholarship covers maintenance allowance, tuition and compulsory fees, return airfare, and allowance for computer, books, settling-in and warm clothing where applicable. Scholars may request for sponsorship of summer programs and exchange programs.

Master's Scholarship:

The Scholarship covers maintenance allowance, tuition and compulsory fees, return airfare, and allowance for computer, books, settling-in and warm clothing where applicable.

Undergraduate and Mid-Term Scholarship:

Master's Scholarship:

The bond period for scholars on Master's Studies is two years for every one year of sponsorship.

Yes. NEW scholars are required to do a mandatory 6- to 8-week practical attachment with NEA, PUB or SFA during their course of study.

NEW Internship offers a rich learning experience through working on environment and water projects. Interns also get a head-start in the NEW Scholarship application compared to open applicants. Last but not least, it allows interns to make an informed decision on joining a career in the challenging but rewarding environment and water sector.

The duration is 4 to 8 weeks. It may be extended depending on project requirements and student availability.

To apply for the NEW Internship, please click here.

Interns who have successfully completed their internships will receive an allowance.

Each NEW intern is required to submit a project report and a write-up on his/her personal reflections on the internship experience, and present his/her project to an assessment panel comprising of representatives from NEA or PUB, depending on the agency the intern is interning with. The panel will assess the interns and determine the final selection of interns who will be recommended for the NEW Scholarship. Selected interns will proceed directly to a final interview. If successful, they will be offered the NEW Scholarship.

Each intern will be assigned a mentor and a buddy. The mentor will oversee the intern(s) assigned to the project and effectively engage them to provide them with an interesting and rewarding experience. The role of a mentor is to help the intern understand the organisation and facilitate the learning of the intern through advice, guidance and support. While the role of the mentor is that of a teacher and work supervisor, the role of the buddy is that of a friend. Hence, the buddy will assist the intern in understanding the organisation and advise him/her on how to obtain the resources required during the course of the internship. Buddies are encouraged to invite the interns to attend corporate events, if any, which would provide them with exposure.

Yes, applicants may apply for the NEW Scholarship through the Open Application and undergo activity-based assessments, aptitude tests and interviews, typically held between March and May. Application opens in October and closes 2 weeks after the release of the GCE 'A' Level results.

Each scholar will be assigned a mentor and a buddy. The mentor will advise scholars on career opportunities and development, and guide them on their career path. Mentors are also expected to communicate the availability of posting opportunities to the scholar to raise their awareness about the opportunities within the organisation. While the role of the mentor is that of a career advisor, the role of the buddy is that of a friend. Therefore, the responsibility of the buddy is to address the scholar's concerns and meet up with the scholar when he/she is back in Singapore on vacation.

Upon graduation, scholars will embark on an exciting career with either NEA, PUB or SFA. They will have the opportunity to make meaningful contributions through a diverse range of roles including mitigating climate change, encouraging energy efficiency, developing Singapore’s water resources and fostering food science and technology development.

Be it an interest in sciences, engineering, water management, environmental public health, food supply and security or just reaching out to people, scholars will enjoy a challenging but rewarding career across NEA, PUB and SFA.

Scholars will get to start their career with the parent agency they were awarded the Scholarship with. Rotation to MEWR or other agencies is possible in subsequent postings.

The NEW Scholarship is jointly offered by NEA, PUB and SFA.

For more information about NEA, PUB and SFA, please click on the link of the respective agencies.

The NEW Scholarship was launched in July 2008.

Since its formation on 1 April 2019, SFA has joined NEA and PUB under the MEWR family in offering the NEW Scholarship.

For more information about the NEW Scholarship, please click here.

For enquiries, please email to [email protected] or [email protected] or reach out to SFA at https://cps.sfa.gov.sg/feedback.