A range of scholarships, fellowships, and research opportunities offered by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore are currently open for students and researchers interested in pursuing studies and research in science and technology fields.

A*STAR offers multiple scholarship pathways tailored to different academic levels:

• National Science Scholarship (BS-PhD)+

  Deadline: 1st March 2026
  A “through-train” programme supporting students from undergraduate level through to PhD.
  Non-Singaporeans must obtain Singapore Permanent Resident status before starting. 

• National Science Scholarship (PhD)

  Deadlines: 1st April and 1st October
  Supports doctoral studies, often at leading international institutions.
  Non-Singaporeans must obtain Permanent Resident status and transition to citizenship during their studies.

• A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (AGS)

  Deadlines: 15th February and 1st August
  A fully funded PhD/EngD covering tuition fees, stipend, research allowances, and up to 12 months overseas attachment.
  International applicants are subject to a 3-year service commitment in Singapore-based companies.

• A*STAR International Fellowship (AIF)

  Deadlines: 1st April and 1st October
  A postdoctoral fellowship supporting advanced research and international collaboration.
  Requires Singapore citizenship prior to commencement.

Beyond scholarships, A*STAR also offers research attachments at its institutes, open to both local and international applicants, providing hands-on experience in advanced research environments.

The A*STAR Research Attachment Programme (ARAP) further enables PhD students from overseas universities to conduct 1–2 years of research in Singapore under joint supervision.

These programmes aim to promote international collaboration, support research excellence, and strengthen global research networks. Maltese students and researchers are encouraged to explore these opportunities to gain international experience and build future collaborations.

For more information on eligibility and application procedures, applicants are encouraged to visit the A*STAR scholarships website.

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Background
Given the fact that tourism plays such a significant role in the Western Mediterranean as one of the key contributors to both the upside gains as well as the downside risks of the blue economy, there is an urgent need for enhancing eco-tourism in the region.

To address these tourism challenges, there is a need to improve cooperation and project development between partners from both EU non-EU WestMED countries, and promote active knowledge sharing amongst stakeholders to multiply results.

Addresssing this need, will lead to the rapid transformation of the tourism industry – particularly to a more modern sector by adopting digital platforms, digital marketing and information technologies such as the internet of things, augmented reality and virtual reality.

For this reason, the Westmed Initiative has launched the Technical group on Sustainable Tourism.

If you have any questions, please mail us at spain@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu or malta@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu

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The 2026 call for the JSPS International Fellowships for Research in Japan Programme, organised by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), is now open for researchers seeking to strengthen their international collaboration. The programme offers fully funded research placements in Japan and invites international researchers from all academic fields and career stages to conduct collaborative research at leading Japanese universities and research institutions. 

This Programme offers a number of schemes. Among these are the postdoctoral fellowship, which is directed towards early-career researchers, aimed doctoral students and post-doctoral researchers, and the invitational fellowship, intended for more established researchers. The fellowship includes financial support for successful applicants, covering travel and research related costs, as well a monthly allowance. Furthermore, short term or standard length options are available for both postdoctoral and invitational fellowships. 

The aim of the programme is to promote international research collaborations, research mobility and long-term academic partnerships. In this light, Malta-based researchers are encouraged to explore this opportunity of future joint research initiate as a way of strengthening links between Malta and Japan. 

For more information on applying and learning more about the programme, interested researchers can visit the JSPS website and view the informational pamphlet for full details. Links provided below. 

JSPS Website: https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-inv/

Info Pamphlet: https://www.jsps.go.jp/file/storage/e-inv/pamphlet/fellowship_2026_EN.pdf

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Xjenza Malta and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) launched the Xjenza Malta-TÜBİTAK 2026 Joint Call for R&I Proposals to support cooperation in Science, Technology, and Innovation. 

This Joint Call aims to assist researchers and innovators from both countries in strengthening their scientific expertise and networks, fostering collaboration for future funding opportunities, including the annual PRIMA Section 1 and Section 2 Calls. This Call will focus on two distinct pillars:

Pillar 1: PRIMA Thematic Areas: 

1. Management of Water 🌊

2. Farming Systems 🌱

3. Agro-Food Value Chain 🥦

 Pillar 2: Shared National Priority areas:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML) 📲🧠

2. Smart Manufacturing 🏭 Guiding subtopics - Sustainable Manufacturing and Flexible automation. 

3. Health 🩺Guiding subtopics – Health technologies, biotechnological drugs/Pharmaceuticals, advanced materials in health, epidemiology.

💰Funding & Project Details for the Xjenza Malta- TÜBİTAK Joint Call

• Funding: Up to €100,000 for the Malta-based consortium (at least one Malta-based partner). 

• Project Duration: Up to 24 months

• Technology Readiness Levels (TRL): 1–7

• 📅Application Deadline: 5 June 2026, 23:59 PM CET

Who Can Apply?

🤝Each consortium must include:

• At least one eligible Malta-based entity

• At least one Turkey-based entity

Projects should be balanced in terms of workload and funding distribution between the two partners.

Download the guidelines on eligibility and application forms from the below link.

ℹ️ Online Information Session

Xjenza Malta will be hosting an online information session on 15 April 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM CET. This session will cover key details about the call, eligibility criteria, and the application process. Interested participants can register.

Call Deadline: Friday 5 June, 2026

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🔗Further Information: Link

This scheme offers up to €8,000/project to support collaboration with partners across PRIMA Participating States.

Funding supports:
• Short training or research placements abroad
• Strategic networking visits
• Knowledge-transfer seminars or workshops in Malta on PRIMA R&I themes

Submission deadlines:

• 7th July 2026 at 23:59 CET

• 6th October 2026 at 23:59 CET (final deadline) 

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Further information is available here.

PRIMA website: Click here

For more information, please contact us at prima.xjenzamalta@gov.mt

Xjenza Malta is pleased to announce the launch of the PRIMA Section 2 Call 2026—an exciting funding opportunity for Malta-based researchers and innovators to participate in transnational research projects focusing on Water Management, Farming Systems, and Agro-Food Chain.

With a national budget allocation of up to €500,000, this call enables Malta-based entities to collaborate with international partners in tackling key challenges related to the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus.

Unlocking New Opportunities

The PRIMA Section 2 Call 2026 offers eligible applicants the chance to:

• Participate in transnational projects by leveraging funding and support to develop pioneering solutions in sustainable water, farming, and agro-food systems.

• Address critical challenges within the following topics:

1. Thematic Area 1: Water management in the Nexus 

Topic 2.1.1- Leveraging Ecosystem Functions and Enhancing Water Allocation for the Protection and Restoration of Non-Perennial Watercourses in the Mediterranean

2. Thematic Area 2: Farming systems in the Nexus

Topic 2.2.1- Novel remote and non-invasive ICT monitoring and control systems against disease and pest infestation

3. Thematic Area 3: Food value chain in the Nexus 

Topic 2.3.1- Empowering Mediterranean Food Value Chains through Context-Aware Digital Traceability 

Key Dates & Application Process

Applicants must:

• Carefully review the Call text 2026 and Guidance for applicants;

• Comply with the National Rules for Participation (State Aid/Non-State Aid);

• Be a Malta-based entity (private/public entities, RKDOs, etc.) with an operating base in Malta; 

• Complete and submit a National Application Form, duly signed and supported by the required Annexes.

Key Deadlines

• Project coordinator needs to submit the pre-proposal via the PRIMA Electronic Submission System (ESS) by the 15 May 2026, 13:00 CET

• Each Malta-based applicant must submit a National Application Form to prima.xjenzamalta@gov.mt by the 15 May 2026, 23:59 CET

Announcements

• PRIMA Info Day 2026 (Online): 26 March 2026, 10:00 – 13:30 CET - Registration here

• Xjenza Malta PRIMA Info Session (Online): 27 March 2026, 11:00 – 12:00 CET - Registration here

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Full details are available on the PRIMA website and Xjenza Malta Call webpage.