Internship and Research Immersion
in Singapore (IRIS) @NUS
Overview
The Internship and Research Immersion in Singapore (IRIS)@NUS is organised by NUS Graduate School. This fully funded programme, lasting two to three months, welcomes exceptional undergraduate and master’s students from ALL fields across ASEAN and around the world. It offers an immersive research experience and a unique glimpse into graduate studies at one of the top universities in the world.
Students will be mentored by NUS’ dedicated faculty upon joining their labs or research groups. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing projects, work in world-class facilities, and gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge research.
Through IRIS@NUS, students will explore and tackle global challenges, gain tangible experience in graduate-level research, and unlock exciting possibilities for scientific research in their future careers.
Application opens on 15 December 2025 and closes on 15 January 2026, 23:59 PM (Singapore Time).
Programme Features
Two months of intensive research experience with exposure to state-of-the-art research and facilities at NUS.
Close mentorship and guidance from NUS faculty members throughout the internship. A certificate of completion issued by NUS Graduate School at the end of the programme.
SGD 1,200 stipend per month.* SGD 600 travel allowance. Complimentary on-campus accommodation.
Explore Singapore and the NUS campus, and experience what it’s like to live and study here in the future.
*T&C applies.
Programme Schedule
Application opens on 15 December 2025 and closes on 15 January 2026, 23:59 PM (Singapore Time).
| Programme Duration | May to July 2026 or August to October 2026 | ||
| Application Deadline | 15 January 2026, 23:59 PM (SGT) | ||
| Release of Application Outcome | End March 2026 | ||
*There will be two IRIS@NUS intakes in the upcoming batch. Please specify your preferred times in the application portal.
Note that this is subject to the faculty mentors’ and research projects’ availabilities.
Selection Criteria
Academic Excellence
Undergraduates and first-year master’s students with outstanding academic records.
Passion
Candidates with a genuine interest in academic research.
Diversity
Application
Eligibility Criteria
- Have a minimum overall or major GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Be enrolled full-time in a degree-granting programme, having completed at least the first two years of the undergraduate degree programme or being in their first year as a master’s student.
- A genuine interest in academic research is essential.
- Must maintain their student status throughout the IRIS @ NUS period.
Application Materials
- Academic transcript.
- A detailed CV with no more than two A4 pages.
- A personal statement that outlines your previous academic and research experiences, with a focus on your research interests. It is acceptable if you do not have prior research experience.
- Two letters of recommendation. We highly recommend that they come from faculty members and supervisors who can specifically attest to your academic potential and research preparation for the programme.
How to Apply
- Step 1: Access the Graduate Admission System (GDA3) to apply for the IRIS@NUS programme.
Add new Programme -> Select: ‘Non-Degree Programme’: ‘Full-Time’: Enroll in ‘May 2026 Special term’ -> Click on the ‘View Programme for application’ button -> Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button for the ‘Internship and Research Immersion in Singapore (IRIS) @ NUS Programme’.
Step 2: Upload the necessary documents and complete the required sections.
- Note: Programme and application are complimentary.
Application opens on 15 December 2025 and closes on 15 January 2026, 23:59 PM (Singapore Time).
Meet Our Faculty Mentors
At the Internship and Research Immersion in Singapore (IRIS) @NUS programme, students will participate in research across various colleges, faculties, and schools within NUS, contributing to innovative and impactful projects.
For Applicants - Understand Mentor Allocation Process
Students will be matched with mentors based on their expressed research interests and the availability of faculty’s ongoing work. Although we cannot guarantee that all students will be paired with their preferred faculty mentors, you can enhance your chances by taking the following steps:
- Specify your research area of interest in the ‘research section’ of the application portal. At a minimum, please specify the school and department at NUS where you wish to be placed for your research internship.
- List your preferred mentors on the same page. You can browse the List of Projects to see the mentors and their projects, then specify up to three preferred mentors and research areas on the application portal.”
These measures will help us better understand your research interests and match you with the most suitable faculty mentors.
*List of Projects will be available once application starts on 15 December 2025.
For NUS Faculty - Host A Scholar
