ELIGIBLITY:

They welcome applications from curators, historians, academics, or independent researchers with established records of achievement in their chosen fields of research. Those pursuing doctoral, postdoctoral, or advanced research are also encouraged to apply.

The Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship is open to both local and foreign applicants who are able to undertake prescribed research topics that raise awareness of our collections. Successful applicants should have scholarly and research credentials or their equivalent. The Library welcomes applications from curators, historians, academics or independent researchers with established records of achievement in their chosen fields of research. Scholars pursuing doctoral, postdoctoral or advanced research are also encouraged to apply. They should preferably have an established record of achievement in their chosen field of research and the potential to excel further.

Research Area: Preference will be given to the following fields of research for 2026:

Critical inquiry on Singapore contemporary literature or theatre from the 1950s
Comparative study of early Singapore and/or Malaya from western and Asian scholarship and perspectives

Arts and culture in Singapore and Malaya from the early 20th century to independence – exploring the development of the visual, performing or literary arts amongst the general population, specific ethnic or under-represented communities

Study of World War II materials through donor’s materials such as Toshio Egawa’s collection, Lim Shao Bin’s collection.

Social history of pre-independent Singapore (Malaya)

Architectural History of Singapore, e.g., memory of architecture in Singapore culture and literature, lived experience of architectural design.

Straits Settlements (Penang, Malacca, Singapore) 1826 to 1946

Study of the cultural heritage of Asia through the Asian Children’s Literature Collection 

Study of Chinese community through clan association materials such as Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan’s collection, Chin Kang Huay Kuan’s collection and Kim Mui Hoey Kuan’s collection

Obligation of Fellows: All Fellows are required to sign a Fellowship agreement abiding by the following:

Stay in Singapore and spend at least 75% of their work time during their Fellowship at the Library.

Give at least one public presentation to staff and another to members of the public based on their fellowship research.

Complete a resource guide based on their research findings. A resource guide is an annotated bibliography on the subject to inform users the resources to a research topic. It should highlight important sources and explain why they are so; and the key readings for each aspect (e.g. key theoretical approaches, seminal titles, etc.) of the research topic.

Complete a 3,000-word and a 6,000-word paper based on their research findings within three months of the end of their fellowship. Submissions should include 6 to 8 images with minimum footnotes and a list of references.

Give the National Library Board the first right to publish the results of their research, where appropriate, including repackaging of content in different formats. All papers submitted for publishing will be subjected to editorial changes where necessary.

Provide the National Library Board a written analysis of the Fellowship experience within one month of the end of the Fellowship period.

Research Fellows will also provide advice on collection gaps to help build research competency within the National Library.

Present the Library with a copy of any published work that was researched for during the course of the fellowship. The published work must acknowledge the support of the National Library of Singapore.

Failure to fulfill any of the obligations will result in the recipient having to forfeit the monthly stipend as well as other expenses incurred in the course of the Fellowship. The final installment of the monthly stipend will be paid on completion of the obligation.

BENEFIT:

The award of the fellowship is for a period of six months.

A stipend of S$3,500 per month will be provided to help Lee Kong Chian Research Fellows meet living expenses, local transportation and photocopying expenses.

In addition to the stipend, overseas Fellows will be provided with a one-time relocation package of $1,500, a one-time return airfare of up to $1500 (reimbursement basis), and a monthly accommodation allowance of up to $3,500 (reimbursement basis).

All Fellows will also be provided with the following: 

A research space at the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library including a computer with internet access

Access to the library’s collections

Introduction to a library staff who can recommend resources from the collections

Recipients are expected to remain in residence at the library, located in the central district of Singapore, during the period of their fellowship and to focus their time on researching the collections in the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library. Besides a monthly stipend for six months, overseas recipients are provided with a one-time relocation allowance, a monthly accommodation allowance, and reimbursement of a return economy class air ticket.