The Internship and Research Immersion in Singapore (IRIS) @ NUS offers exceptional undergraduate and first-year master’s students a fully funded research experience at the National University of Singapore, with a monthly stipend, travel allowance, accommodation, and faculty mentorship.
The Internship and Research Immersion in Singapore (IRIS) @ NUS is a fully funded research programme designed for exceptional undergraduate and master’s students interested in gaining practical research experience at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
Organised by NUS Graduate School, the programme provides an opportunity to join research laboratories or groups, work with NUS faculty mentors, and contribute to ongoing research projects. The programme welcomes students from all fields across ASEAN and other parts of the world.
For the January–May 2027 intake, applications close on 28 August 2026 at 23:59 Singapore Time, making this a time-sensitive opportunity for eligible students.
Visit the official IRIS@NUS programme page
IRIS @ NUS 2026/2027 – Programme Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | Internship and Research Immersion in Singapore (IRIS) @ NUS |
| Host Institution | National University of Singapore |
| Organiser | NUS Graduate School |
| Study Level | Undergraduate and Master’s |
| Fields | All fields |
| Duration | 2 or 3 months |
| Programme Period | January–May 2027 |
| Stipend | SGD 1,200 per month |
| Travel Allowance | SGD 600 |
| Accommodation | Complimentary on-campus accommodation |
| Application Deadline | 28 August 2026, 23:59 SGT |
| Outcome | Week of 2 November 2026 |
The programme information provided by NUS states that participants receive a SGD 1,200 monthly stipend, SGD 600 travel allowance, and complimentary on-campus accommodation, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.
What Is the IRIS @ NUS Programme?
The Internship and Research Immersion in Singapore is intended to give high-performing students an immersive introduction to research at NUS.
Participants will join laboratories or research groups under the guidance of NUS faculty members. During the programme, students can contribute to ongoing projects, use advanced research facilities, and gain hands-on exposure to research activities.
The experience is also intended to give students insight into graduate-level research and help them explore whether further postgraduate study and scientific research could form part of their future career.
Because IRIS @ NUS accepts students from all fields, applicants do not necessarily need to come from engineering or science disciplines.
Programme Benefits
The IRIS @ NUS programme provides several benefits for successful participants.
1. Intensive Research Experience
Students receive approximately two months of intensive research exposure, with some projects lasting three months.
Participants can gain practical experience working on research projects and become familiar with state-of-the-art facilities at NUS.
2. Faculty Mentorship
Participants are mentored by NUS faculty members throughout their research immersion.
This provides students with an opportunity to learn directly from academics and researchers while developing their understanding of research methodology and academic work.
3. Monthly Stipend
Successful participants receive:
SGD 1,200 per month
The stipend is intended to provide financial support during the programme, subject to the programme’s terms and conditions.
4. Travel Allowance
Participants are also eligible for a:
SGD 600 travel allowance
This can provide additional financial support associated with travelling to Singapore for the programme.
5. Accommodation
The programme provides complimentary on-campus accommodation, helping reduce one of the major costs associated with participating in an overseas research programme.
6. NUS Certificate
Participants who complete the programme receive a certificate of completion issued by NUS Graduate School.
7. International Research Exposure
For students considering graduate school or research careers, the programme offers an opportunity to experience research at a globally recognised university and develop international academic exposure.
IRIS @ NUS Programme Duration
The programme will take place between January and May 2027, depending on the selected research project.
The available projects may have different durations, so applicants should carefully review the project list and confirm that they can commit to the entire period required by their chosen project.
The programme page indicates that placements can last two or three months.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is targeted at academically strong students who have a genuine research interest.
According to the published eligibility requirements, applicants must:
- Have a minimum overall or major GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Be enrolled full-time in a degree-granting undergraduate or master’s programme.
- Maintain student status at their home university throughout the IRIS @ NUS programme.
- Have completed at least two years of undergraduate study by the start of the IRIS programme if applying as an undergraduate.
- Demonstrate a genuine interest in academic research.
- Not be a current NUS student.
The programme specifically identifies undergraduates and first-year master’s students with outstanding academic records as the target group.
Academic Excellence and Selection
Academic performance is an important consideration in the selection process.
However, applicants are also assessed based on their interest in research and the broader diversity of the applicant pool.
The programme identifies three key selection considerations:
Academic Excellence
Applicants should have strong academic records and meet the stated GPA requirement.
Passion for Research
A genuine interest in academic research is essential. Applicants should therefore use their personal statement to explain what areas of research interest them and why they want to gain research experience.
Diversity
Priority will be given to applicants from ASEAN and less represented countries, according to the programme information.
Application Materials
Applicants should prepare several documents before submitting their applications.
Academic Transcript
Applicants must provide an academic transcript showing their academic performance.
Detailed CV
A detailed CV of no more than two A4 pages is required.
Students should use the limited space effectively by highlighting relevant academic achievements, research interests, projects, technical skills, awards, publications where applicable, and other evidence of academic potential.
Personal Statement
The personal statement should explain the applicant’s previous academic and research experiences and, importantly, their research interests.
Previous research experience is not mandatory according to the programme information. Therefore, students without formal research experience can still apply if they can demonstrate genuine research interest and academic potential.
Two Recommendation Letters
Applicants need two letters of recommendation.
NUS recommends that these come from faculty members or supervisors who can specifically comment on the applicant’s academic potential and research preparation.
The recommendation letters must be received by 6 September 2026, even though the main application deadline is earlier.
How Mentor Matching Works
Applicants have an opportunity to indicate their preferred research areas and mentors.
Students can review the available projects and identify faculty members whose research aligns with their interests. They can then specify up to three preferred mentors on the application portal.
However, selecting a preferred mentor does not guarantee placement with that individual.
NUS states that mentor matching depends on applicants’ research interests as well as the availability of faculty members and their ongoing research projects.
Applicants should therefore clearly explain their research interests and identify the relevant NUS school and department in the application.
How to Apply for IRIS @ NUS
Applications are submitted through the NUS Graduate Admission System (GDA3).
The application process provided by NUS is:
Step 1: Access the Graduate Admission System.
NUS Graduate Admission System – Apply
Step 2: Select:
- Add New Programme
- Non-Degree Programme
- Full-Time
- January 2027
Applicants should then select “View Programmes for application” and choose the Internship and Research Immersion in Singapore (IRIS) @ NUS Programme.
Step 3: Upload the required documents and complete all applicable sections of the application.
The programme page states that the programme and application are complimentary.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the January 2027 intake is:
28 August 2026 at 23:59 Singapore Time
Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline rather than waiting until the final hours.
The application outcome is expected to be released during the week of 2 November 2026.
The programme also states that selection results are final and that appeals will not be considered.
How to Strengthen Your Application
Students interested in IRIS @ NUS should make sure their application demonstrates more than academic performance.
A strong application can clearly connect three elements:
Academic preparation → Research interests → Suitable NUS project
When preparing the personal statement, applicants should explain what research questions or areas interest them, how their academic background has prepared them, and what they hope to learn through the programme.
It is also useful to review the available research projects before selecting preferred mentors. This allows applicants to demonstrate a more specific understanding of the research they want to pursue.
Recommendation letters should ideally come from academics who know the student’s abilities well and can provide specific evidence of academic potential and preparation for research.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | 28 August 2026, 23:59 SGT |
| Recommendation letters due | 6 September 2026 |
| Application outcome | Week of 2 November 2026 |
| Programme period | January–May 2027 |
| Programme duration | 2 or 3 months |
Final Thoughts
The Internship and Research Immersion in Singapore (IRIS) @ NUS offers an attractive opportunity for academically strong undergraduate and first-year master’s students who want to experience research in an international university environment.
The programme combines faculty mentorship, hands-on research, access to advanced facilities, accommodation, a monthly stipend, and travel support. Its openness to students from all academic fields also makes it relevant to a broad range of applicants.
For students considering research careers, postgraduate study or international academic opportunities, IRIS @ NUS can provide valuable exposure to graduate-level research while allowing participants to experience life and study at NUS.
With the application deadline set for 28 August 2026, eligible students should review the available projects, prepare their academic documents, and submit their applications through the official NUS system as soon as possible.
Focus Keyword: Internship and Research Immersion in Singapore IRIS @ NUS 2026
SEO Keywords: IRIS NUS 2026, IRIS NUS 2027, Internship and Research Immersion in Singapore, IRIS @ NUS, NUS research internship, NUS undergraduate research internship, NUS master’s research internship, fully funded research internship Singapore, NUS internship 2027, Singapore research opportunities for international students, NUS Graduate School internship, undergraduate research opportunities 2026, master’s research opportunities 2026, fully funded internships Singapore, research internships for international students, NUS scholarships and internships, Singapore university research internship, NUS faculty mentorship, research immersion Singapore, international research opportunities for students, undergraduate research programme Singapore, master’s research programme Singapore
ALSO CHECK
Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027–2028: Fully Funded UK Scholarship for International Students
Can You Apply for the GREAT Scholarship 2027 at the University of Southampton? Let’s Find Out
Disney Students and Recent Graduates Programs 2026: Global Internships and Career Opportunities at The Walt Disney Company
Follow Us On Our Social Media Platforms
WhatsApp Group:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/IUYDUNb8GCx4V2QqkBoiuq?mode=ems_copy_t
WhatsApp Channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb60pjHL2ATw5rPOEw2l
Facebook Page:
One thought on “Internship and Research Immersion in Singapore (IRIS) @ NUS 2026/2027: Fully Funded Research Opportunity for Undergraduate and Master’s Students”