NTU AI-for-X Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 (Fully Funded AI Research Fellowship in Singapore)

Applications are now open for the NTU AI-for-X Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026, a prestigious fully funded fellowship designed to support exceptional early-career researchers who are using artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate scientific discovery and innovation across science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM). Hosted by Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) and supported by Singapore's National Research Foundation (NRF), the fellowship provides generous research funding, competitive remuneration, mentorship, leadership development, and access to world-class AI research infrastructure.

The programme aims to attract outstanding researchers from around the world who can integrate AI methods into their scientific disciplines to solve complex research challenges. Rather than focusing exclusively on artificial intelligence as a standalone field, the fellowship encourages applicants to combine AI with their domain expertise to create breakthroughs in areas such as healthcare, engineering, materials science, climate science, robotics, biomedical research, and other STEM disciplines.

Successful fellows become full-time researchers at NTU, working alongside internationally recognized faculty members while benefiting from dedicated mentorship, advanced computing resources, interdisciplinary collaborations, and structured professional development. The fellowship also serves as a pathway toward independent academic careers, preparing participants for future faculty appointments and research leadership positions.

About the Fellowship

The NTU AI-for-X Postdoctoral Fellowship was established to strengthen Singapore's research ecosystem by supporting talented scientists who can apply artificial intelligence to accelerate innovation across multiple disciplines. The programme recognizes that AI has become an essential research tool capable of transforming scientific discovery, enabling researchers to solve increasingly complex problems through data-driven approaches.

Each fellow is paired with two mentors throughout the programme:

• A Project Mentor who is an NTU faculty member specializing in the fellow's research discipline.
• An AI Mentor who provides guidance on integrating advanced artificial intelligence methods into the research project.

This dual-mentorship model enables fellows to strengthen both their disciplinary expertise and AI capabilities while working on interdisciplinary research projects with real-world impact. Participants also receive opportunities to mentor students, collaborate across research groups, and develop teaching and leadership skills that support long-term academic careers.

Fellowship Benefits

Successful applicants will receive:

• Fully funded postdoctoral appointment for up to four years.
• Competitive salary and employment benefits.
• Research funding to support approved projects.
• Access to NTU's advanced AI platforms and computing facilities.
• Supervision from an experienced NTU Project Mentor.
• Guidance from an AI Mentor to strengthen AI integration.
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Professional development and leadership training.
• Teaching and mentoring experience.
• Access to NTU's internationally recognized research environment.
• Enhanced opportunities for future tenure-track academic positions and international research careers.

Eligible Research Areas

Applicants are encouraged to propose research that integrates artificial intelligence into STEM disciplines, including:

• Artificial Intelligence.
• Machine Learning.
• Data Science.
• Computer Science.
• Biomedical Engineering.
• Medicine.
• Healthcare Technologies.
• Robotics.
• Materials Science.
• Environmental Science.
• Climate Research.
• Physics.
• Chemistry.
• Mathematics.
• Electrical Engineering.
• Mechanical Engineering.
• Life Sciences.
• Computational Biology.
• Other STEM fields where AI can accelerate scientific discovery.

Projects should clearly demonstrate how AI techniques will contribute to solving significant scientific or engineering challenges.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the NTU AI-for-X Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026, applicants must:

• Hold a PhD (or equivalent doctoral degree) in a STEM field awarded within the previous three years.
• Demonstrate an excellent academic and research record.
• Develop a compelling research proposal that clearly integrates artificial intelligence into a scientific research problem.
• Secure an NTU faculty member willing to serve as their Project Mentor before submitting the application.
• Be available to commence the fellowship by the specified programme start date.
• Demonstrate strong potential for an independent academic research career.

The fellowship welcomes applications from researchers of all nationalities who meet the programme's academic and research requirements.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The programme seeks applicants who demonstrate:

• Outstanding academic achievement.
• Excellent publication record relative to career stage.
• Strong interdisciplinary research interests.
• Innovative thinking.
• Experience applying computational or AI methods to scientific research.
• Leadership potential.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Commitment to pursuing an independent research career.

Researchers capable of bridging artificial intelligence with another scientific discipline are particularly encouraged to apply.

Required Application Documents

Applicants are generally required to submit:

• Completed online application form.
• Cover letter.
• Comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV), including publication list and Scopus Author ID where available.
• Official PhD degree certificate or academic transcript in English.
• Research proposal (maximum two pages using the official template).
• Letter of support from the identified NTU Project Mentor.
• Contact details for two referees, including the PhD supervisor.
• PDF copies of the applicant's three most significant publications.
• Additional supporting documents where applicable.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Academic excellence.
• Research achievements.
• Scientific originality.
• Quality of the proposed AI-integrated research project.
• Feasibility of the proposed research.
• Publication record.
• Strength of mentorship arrangements.
• Potential for future academic leadership.
• Alignment with NTU's strategic AI research priorities.

Shortlisted applicants may be invited for interviews before final fellowship offers are made.

How to Apply

To apply for the NTU AI-for-X Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026:

1. Review the fellowship eligibility requirements on the official NTU website.
2. Identify and contact an eligible NTU faculty member who agrees to serve as your Project Mentor.
3. Prepare a research proposal that clearly demonstrates how artificial intelligence will be integrated into your scientific research.
4. Complete the online application through the NTU application portal.
5. Upload all required supporting documents.
6. Submit your application before the application deadline.

Applicants are encouraged to begin contacting potential NTU mentors well in advance of the deadline, as obtaining mentor support is a mandatory part of the application process.