EDB Scholarships

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

What You Can Expect

A Global Education

You will be sponsored to pursue your academic dreams at top universities and gain access to a global education.

Valuable Experiences

Immerse yourself in new cultures and expand your horizons through Study Aboard programmes and our Foreign Language Development Programme.

Curated Development Opportunities

Gain real-world experiences through our internship programme (in Singapore or in Overseas Offices) where you will work alongside EDB officers, tackle meaningful projects, and develop competencies that will prepare you for a career in EDB.

An Impactful Career

Upon graduation, you will join the 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.

Learn More

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 undergraduate scholarships:

(i) EDB Full-Term Scholarships: For Pre-University applicants prior to embarking on their undergraduate degrees; and

(ii) EDB Mid-Term Scholarships: For University undergraduate applicants up until their penultimate year of studies.

Apply now to join us in our mission!

Tuition Fees

For full-term scholars: Overseas undergraduate tuition, examination, and other related fees throughout your study programme.

For mid-term scholars: EDB will reimburse tuition and other compulsory fees incurred before the award, in addition to funding tuition and other related fees after the award.

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. For mid-term scholars, living allowances will be paid from the point of award.

Development Programmes

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

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

* 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

We strongly encourage our scholars to pick up 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 enhance your foreign language proficiency such as Japanese, Bahasa Indonesia, French, and German. You can take up the FLDP even before heading overseas for your studies.

Sponsorship includes language courses at world-class language institutions in Singapore, as well as overseas language immersion programmes after attaining beginner proficiency.

Foreign Language Classes

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

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, industries we engage and global locations where we operate.

The EDB Scholarships support studies in various disciplines of study, including, but not limited to, Engineering, Science and Economics. 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, as well as enhancing your foreign language proficiency.

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.

EDB Full-Term Scholarship

As pre-University applicants, you should be fulfilling your final year in an education 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.

EDB Mid-Term Scholarship

As University undergraduate applicants, 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 not need to submit a separate application for the Scholarship as we will be assessing your suitability during your internship and fast-track you to the Scholarship selection panel if you do well.
Otherwise, all students prior to their penultimate year of studies should apply directly for the EDB Mid-Term Scholarship.

Application Period

October 2024 – February 2025

EDB Full-Term Scholarship

For Pre-University applicants

Apply for EDB Full-Term Scholarship

EDB Mid-Term Scholarship

For University undergraduate applicants prior to their penultimate year of studies

Apply for EDB Mid-Term Scholarship

For University undergraduate applicants in their penultimate year of studies

Apply for the Summer Internship Programme and tell us that you would like to be considered for the Scholarship too!

Apply for Summer Internship Programme

You will not need to submit a separate application for the Scholarship as we will be assessing your suitability during your internship and fast-track you to the Scholarship selection panel if you do well.

Interviews will take place between December 2024 – March 2025.

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)

FAQ

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 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 encourage our scholars to challenge yourselves and explore different countries for your studies.

EDB’s work is incredibly diverse across business, 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.

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 do 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. EDB offers you global business exposure and diverse opportunities throughout your career in EDB.

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.

Life @ EDB

Discover the values that drive us, opportunities for professional development, and the culture that makes EDB a great place to work.

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Hear From Our People

Sam Kee
Senior Manager, Environment Sustainability

EDB Scholar (2012)

University of Chicago, B (Mathematics) & University of Cambridge, MPhil (Technology Policy)

“I had taken on the EDB scholarship on the promise of a meaningful career, but have been enriched by far more than that. From the early opportunity to learn about EDB’s global work through an internship with the Frankfurt office, to the guidance provided by nurturing mentors in the organization, I am grateful for always being engaged by the people and work even throughout my schooling days. EDB is unique in its deep commitment towards developing its scholars, and I have benefited massively from it."

Wu You
Manager, Hub Services & Connectivity

EDB Scholar (2014)

Oxford, B (Engineering Science) & M (Engineering Science)

"As an EDB Scholar, the scholarship supported me on a month-long language immersion programme in Hokkaido, Japan, where I met friends with whom I still stay in touch today. Apart from language classes, I spent my time watching baseball matches (“yakyuu”), parading among locals at the kimono festival, and camping by the beach. Through this immersive experience, I’ve developed a greater appreciation towards Japanese culture and the language. The work at EDB spans multiple domains and sectors, and the conversations with companies range from strategic exchanges with global senior leaders to on-the-ground discussions with local operational teams. This diverse and fast paced work consistently challenges me to push my boundaries and strive for continuous growth both professionally and personally."

Kevin Goh
Manager, Corporate Planning & Analytics

EDB Scholar (2015)

Cornell, B (Economics & Government)

"The Scholarship made studying abroad possible and allowed me to focus on my studies and personal development. Studying in the States really broadened my horizon – the U.S. liberal arts system encourages undergraduates to pursue a wide range of subjects and interests, and I maximised my time doing just that. Over the years – and in particular the aftermath of COVID-19 – the achievements I hold closest to heart have been supporting the many MNCs in the healthcare sector to establish new manufacturing capabilities, which will eventually meet the healthcare needs of Singapore and the region. I most appreciate the fact that as part of the Healthcare division, any projects we support will not only drive economic development but also serve to plug gaps in healthcare products and services."