Question 1

What are the NTUC Starter Awards?

Accepted Answer

The NTUC Starter Awards are bond-free scholarship awards for Singaporean students studying in partner ILs and supports youth who are interested in leadership development opportunities and in contributing to the Labour Movement. Those who have successfully received the Awards will undergo a one-year leadership development programme, which will involve leadership skills development, a personalised mentorship programme, an overseas learning journey (for eligible Awardees), and a capstone project where Awardees will work on real-world problem statements and develop solutions relating to the Youth sector.Awardees are expected to actively participate in NTUC Youth's engagement and community during the programme duration.Upon completion of the one-year leadership development programme, Awardees are appointed as NTUC Youth leaders in the NTUC Youth Catalyst community and will be strongly encouraged to participate in and play an organising role in NTUC Youth's programmes.

Question 2

Is there a list of approved IHLs for the NTUC Starter Awards?

Accepted Answer

For 2026 applications, the NTUC Starter Awards are open to selected groups of students in the following partner IHLs: Institute of Technical Education (ITE): 3-year Higher Nitec students who are in Year 1 of their programme at point of application.
Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP), Singapore Polytechnic (SP), Temasek Polytechnic (TP): Students pursuing a full-time diploma programme who are not in their final year of their programme at point of application.
Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT): Students pursuing a full-time undergraduate degree programme who are not in their final year of their programme at point of application.

Question 3

How much can I expect to receive from the NTUC Starter Awards?

Accepted Answer

​Year of study during applicationYearly quantum awardedITE 3-year Higher Nitec students in Year 1$2,000 per academic yearPolytechnic students in Year 1 and 2$3,000 per academic yearUniversity students not in final year of study$4,000 per academic year

Question 4

Why are final year students not eligible for the NTUC Starter Awards?

Accepted Answer

Applicants must have minimally one academic year left to the completion of study from the point of award in December 2026. This is so that they can complete the mandatory one-year Leadership Programme during the course of their studies.

Question 5

How will I know that I have been successfully shortlisted and offered the scholarship?

Accepted Answer

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a group interview with a panel comprising management in NTUC. Successful applicants will be notified and receive an offer by End-December. Only shortlisted and successful applicants will be notified at each respective stage.

Question 6

What is the penalty if an awardee decides to give up the NTUC Starter Awards mid-way through the course?

Accepted Answer

NTUC reserves the right to recover from the awardee all fees and monies which have been paid to the awardee or incurred for the benefit of the awardee.

Question 7

Can I defer the Award or leadership development components if I’m on an internship or overseas exchange?

Accepted Answer

Awardees are required to remain in Singapore and be available for the full duration of the one-year leadership development programme. Deferral of the Award or programme components is not allowed.

Question 8

Is the Overseas Learning Journey (OL) available to all Awardees?

Accepted Answer

The Overseas Learning Journey is not guaranteed for all Awardees. Selection is based on performance during the one-year leadership development programme, and only the top 30% of the cohort will be eligible to participate.Awardees will be assessed throughout the programme, and eligible participants will be notified accordingly.

Question 9

Can recipients of the NTUC Starter Awards accept other scholarships, bursaries or financial aid? Do applicants have to inform NTUC of any other scholarship, bursary or financial aid that they are applying for or have received?

Accepted Answer

Applicants should inform NTUC of any other scholarship they are applying for or have received.Awardees are not permitted to hold any other scholarships during the tenure of the Award without the approval of NTUC. This is with the exception of the ITE Community Scholarship, which awardees are permitted to concurrently hold together with the NTUC Starter Awards.Awardees are permitted to accept bursaries such as Government and NTUC Member bursaries and financial aid from other organisations, insofar as the organisation disbursing the money to the awardee is an organisation of good standing and does not require Awardees to participate in programmes that are at odds with the interests of NTUC or that conflict with awardees’ ability to fulfil their obligations under the Awards.

Question 10

What is the difference between the NTUC Starter Awards and the NTUC Care Fund (Youth Enable) Award?

Accepted Answer

The NTUC Starter Awards are bond-free scholarships designed for Singaporean students in partner Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs). If you’re eager to step up as a leader, grow your network, and create a real impact through the Labour Movement, this is your launchpad.

Beyond financial support, you’ll embark on an empowering 1-year leadership development journey where you’ll sharpen your skills, connect with industry leaders, and gain a deeper understanding of the Movement.

NTUC Starter Awardees will need to be NTUC members upon acceptance of the Award.

Question 11

What is the difference between the NTUC Starter Awards and the NTUC Scholarship?

Accepted Answer

The NTUC Starter Awards are bond-free scholarship awards for Singaporean students studying in partner IHLs. The Awards supports youth who are interested in leadership development opportunities and in contributing to the Labour Movement. Awardees are provided with a fixed allowance per academic year.The NTUC Scholarship is a bonded scholarship with the National Trades Union Congress. Upon graduation, the scholars will serve as an Industrial Relations Officer (IRO) to better understand the Labour Movement and to promote and build good industrial relations to achieve a harmonious industrial relations climate that will bring the maximum benefits to the workers. They can also look forward to mentorship by Labour Members of Parliament (LMP) and developmental programmes to widen their career horizons. During the course of study, besides an internship to lay a good foundation in understanding the work of NTUC, scholars will also benefit from a living allowance and full coverage of tuition fees and related costs such as hostel and book expenses.

Question 12

What is the NTUC Membership?

Accepted Answer

NTUC MembershipThe NTUC Membership is open to those above the age of 16. NTUC Membership fee is $117 per annum ($9 per month from Jan to Nov & $18 in Dec).The NTUC Membership offers benefits that focus on five pillars: workplace protection, career development, cost of living, family and health and financial adequacy. Some of the key benefits are summarised below: Earn *4% FairPrice member benefits in Linkpoints at FairPrice, Unity and participating Cheers storesWorkplace support and up to $500 training creditsAssistance programmes & exclusive insurance coverageUnion member exclusive rewards through the FairPrice Group app
You may find out more about NTUC Membership here.

Question 13

Is it mandatory to be an NTUC Starter member to qualify for the NTUC Starter Awards?

Accepted Answer

Awardees should be holding a valid NTUC Membership during the acceptance of the Awards. Awardees are expected to continue to hold a valid NTUC Membership during the entire duration of being an awardee.

Question 14

I encountered technical difficulties in the submission of my online application. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Do reach out to NTUC via email (send to starter_awards@ntuc.org.sg), together with a screenshot of the error message. This is necessary to confirm a genuine issue has arisen before the application deadline.

Programme Component	Month and Year	Time Commitment
Orientation and Teambuilding	Feb	1 Half-day* on weekend
Personal Branding Session	Mar	1 Half-day* on weekday
Mentoring Networking Night (Select 1 of 3 available sessions)	Apr - Oct	1 Half-day* on weekday
Leadership Development Session	May	1 Full-day on weekend
Overseas Learning Journey^	Jun	4 days in Week 3 or 4
Local Industry Immersion Visit	Jul	1 Half-day* on weekday
Project work & Presentations	Aug - Nov	1 Half-day* on weekday
Graduation	Dec	1 Half-day* in Week 2

NTUC Starter Awards

What You Can Expect

Award Quantum for Successful Awardees

Institute of Technical Education (ITE)

Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP)

Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP)

Singapore Polytechnic (SP)

Temasek Polytechnic (TP)

Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)

Empower your everyday with NTUC Membership

Empower Your Future

Key Milestones and Timelines

01

Application period

02

Shortlisted candidates

03

Notification of successful application

Questions about the NTUC Starter Awards?

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