Kong Chian Research Fellowship 2025 | Fully Funded Research Opportunity in Singapore

Applications are now open for the prestigious Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship 2025, hosted by the National Library Board (NLB) of Singapore. This fully funded six-month residential fellowship offers both local and international researchers an exceptional opportunity to explore one of the most significant archives and special collections in Southeast Asia.

If you are a historian, curator, academic, or doctoral/postdoctoral researcher with a passion for Southeast Asian studies, literature, culture, or historical inquiry, this is a golden opportunity to conduct focused research at the heart of Singapore.

Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship – Overview

Host Country: Singapore
Institution: National Library Board (NLB)
Fellowship Type: Fully Funded
Duration: 6 months (residential fellowship)
Monthly Stipend: SGD $3,500
Application Deadline: 30 May 2025
Eligible Applicants: Local and international researchers

Fellowship Focus Areas (2025 Priority Themes)

Preference will be given to research proposals in the following areas:

Singapore’s contemporary literature and theatre (from the 1950s onward)
Comparative studies of early Singapore/Malaya from Western and Asian perspectives
Arts and culture (visual, performing, literary) in early 20th century Singapore and Malaya
Social history and WWII studies using rare personal collections
History of Chinese communities through clan associations
Natural history and biodiversity
Economic sector development and historical trades in Singapore
Spatial history and place-based research in Singapore
Cultural heritage of Asia through the Asian Children’s Literature Collection

Research must make use of the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library and/or the National Archives of Singapore collections.

Who Can Apply?

The Fellowship is open to:

Local and overseas applicants
Historians, academics, independent researchers, curators
Doctoral, postdoctoral, and advanced researchers
Individuals with a proven research record in relevant disciplines

Applicants must remain in residence in Singapore for at least 75% of the fellowship period.

Benefits of the Fellowship

SGD $3,500 monthly stipend for living, transport, and research expenses
One-time relocation grant (SGD $1,500) for overseas recipients
Monthly accommodation allowance (up to SGD $3,500)
Reimbursement for return airfare (up to SGD $1,500)
Research space with internet access, guidance from NLB staff, and access to special collections

How to Apply?

To apply, submit the following by 30 May 2025:

Step 1: Completed application form

Click Here to Download Scholarship Application Form

Step 2: Prepare the following documents to support the fully funded scholarship application

Research proposal aligned with 2025 themes
Academic CV and list of publications
Two referees’ details or letters of support

Step 3: Send the Fellowship Completed Application form along with the documents to the following email

Submit via email: LKCRF@nlb.gov.sg

Apply Now for Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship 2025

This is your chance to explore rare historical materials in Southeast Asia’s premier research library. Whether you’re studying WWII, social history, early publishing, or modern literature, the Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship offers funding, resources, and institutional support to bring your research to life.