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$556 Million Set Aside to Boost the Social Science and Humanities Research Ecosystem in Singapore

Published on: 26 Feb 2026

NewsPress releases

At the 2026 Social Science and Humanities Ideas Festival launch held at the Singapore Management University (SMU) today, Minister for Education, Mr Desmond Lee, announced that $556 million will be set aside to further strengthen the local social science and humanities (SSH) research ecosystem over the next five years (FY2026 to FY2030). This is an increase of 21%, or $99 million, from the $457 million that was set aside for FY2021 to FY2025.

2. The new tranche of funding will continue to support the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) in growing Singapore's thought leadership in locally relevant research, as well as strengthening efforts to expand the pool of promising Singaporean researchers. Key initiatives launched under the aegis of the SSRC include the Social Science Research Thematic Grant1 (SSHR-TG), the Social Science and Humanities Research Fellowship2 (SSHRF), and the SSRC Graduate Research Fellowship3 (GRF). To date, the SSRC has awarded funding to 54 research projects under the SSHR-TG, 21 early career researchers under the SSHRF, and 48 projects under the SSRC GRF. The research projects span a variety of topics, including evolving geopolitics amidst a changing world order, public housing in Singapore, and insights on ageing in Singapore. For more information on the SSRC and the various research projects supported, please visit https://www.ssrc.edu.sg.

3. The 2026 Ideas Festival, jointly organised by the AUs, the University of the Arts Singapore (UAS) and research institutions, draws upon the work of the local SSH research community to look at critical issues facing Singapore and the world today. Supported by the SSRC, the 2026 Ideas Festival demonstrates a dynamic and active SSH research community in Singapore, working together to contribute to a shared understanding of society's challenges. The festival will take place from 26 February to 27 March 2026, and features 33 events organised by the AUs, UAS, and research institutions. More than 100 researchers across a spectrum of SSH expertise will share insights on themes such as mental wellbeing and adaptation to emerging technologies. Please visit https://www.ideasfestival.edu.sg for more information on the 2026 Ideas Festival.

4. Please refer to Annex A for a list of vernacular translations.

Footnotes
  1. The SSHR-TG supports social science and humanities research in areas of strategic relevance to Singapore and Asia.
  2. The SSHR Fellowship supports promising Singaporean social science and humanities researchers in the early stages of their academic careers in our Autonomous Universities.
  3. The GRF facilitates our Autonomous Universities' engagement of outstanding early-career Singaporean social science and humanities researchers who have been accepted for their doctoral or postdoctoral training at leading overseas research or academic institutions.