New A*Star scholarships to develop semiconductor, quantum tech talent

SINGAPORE – Two scholarship tracks have been launched to encourage graduates to pursue further studies and research in semiconductor and quantum technologies, strategic to Singapore’s ambition to be a deep tech hub.

These tracks under the A*Star Graduate Scholarships (AGS) were opened for application on July 25.

The AGS (Semiconductor) and AGS (Quantum) will add to the agency’s two existing graduate scholarship tracks. A total of 139 such scholarships have been given out in the past five years.

“Technological shifts and geopolitical developments are reshaping the global economy. To stay ahead, Singapore must build capabilities in strategic sectors like semiconductors and quantum technologies,” said Dr Tan See Leng, Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science and Technology.

Speaking at a scholarship ceremony at The Theatre at Mediacorp on July 25, Dr Tan, who is also Manpower Minister, added that the country’s thriving economy has been powered by science and technology.

He cited a $123 million facility – the National Semiconductor Translation and Innovation Centre for Gallium Nitride (NSTIC GaN) – that was launched in June.

It enables Singapore to produce advanced semiconductors for the design of smaller and more energy-efficient devices crucial for the development of 5G and 6G communications and satellite systems.

The Republic accounts for 10 per cent of chips produced globally and around 20 per cent of global semiconductor manufacturing equipment production, according to the Economic Development Board.

Nearly $700 million has been committed to the research and development of quantum technology by the Singapore authorities since 2002, with a most recent top-up of $295 million in May 2024.

Quantum computers are able to solve problems that are considered too difficult for traditional computers, and tipped to lead to new breakthroughs in fields such as medicine, materials and artificial intelligence (AI).

But infrastructure and strategy alone cannot power innovation, said Dr Tan.

“It is exceptional talent like you who turn ideas into reality,” he told the audience, including new scholarship recipients.

“Scholars on these tracks will be matched to field-specific research projects, receive specialised training and gain valuable industry exposure.”

This will prepare them to drive innovation in national initiatives like NSTIC GaN and Singapore’s quantum strategy, working alongside local and global experts, he said.

In a statement on July 25, A*Star said those on the semiconductor track will be trained in areas such as chip design, materials science and advanced packaging through PhD programmes in local universities.

Potential scholars on the quantum track will also pursue their PhD in local universities, with a focus on areas such as quantum sensing, communication and computing. These are applicable in the fields of secure data transmission, precision diagnostics and advanced simulation.

Dr Tan also spoke on the importance of bringing science from the laboratory to the real world in advancing the country’s position as a global hub for science and technology.

“We must encourage our researchers to be entrepreneurial and attuned to real-world challenges,” he said.

He added that the co-founder and chief executive of Cosmos Innovation has helped to strengthen Singapore’s position as a semiconductor hub while building more resilient global supply chains.

Dr Vijay Chandrasekhar’s deep-tech start-up uses AI to accelerate the discovery and optimisation of new materials for next-generation semiconductors and solar technologies.

Said Dr Tan: “While leading AI programmes at the A*Star Institute for Infocomm Research, Dr Chandrasekhar worked with semiconductor partners and recognised that the industry needed more than just incremental improvements to meet growing demands for efficiency and scalability in chip development.”

He added that the company’s solutions have helped manufacturers to reduce costs, improve performance and develop sustainable technologies.

“These journeys remind us that science is not just about discovery – it is about impact,” said Dr Tan.