
TUM-NTU Joint Supervision Program
To strengthen the long-standing successful research partnership and to facilitate doctoral mobility and exchange, TUM and the Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU) have established a joint supervision program for doctoral candidates. Within the program, doctoral candidates from TUM and the NTU will benefit from the academic supervision and expertise of a primary supervisor from their home university and a co-supervisor from the partner.
Key program details
Doctoral candidates from TUM participating in the joint supervision program will be enrolled as non-award doctoral candidates at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) for a research stay of at least 12 months. They are not charged tuition fees, but student services amenities fees may apply. During their research stay, TUM participants may participate in the professional development activities and other doctoral qualification options NTU provides. These courses will be recognized by the graduate center in question at TUM whenever possible.
Candidates participating in the Joint Supervision Program will have at least one supervisor at each institution from the start of their doctoral project. Both supervisors will be jointly responsible for the progress of the doctoral degree work and the thesis supervision and examination. Progression milestones for TUM doctoral candidates will follow TUM guidelines. After successful graduation, TUM doctoral candidates will be awarded the respective TUM doctoral degree. However, TUM will issue a special TUM doctoral diploma mentioning the TUM-NTU joint supervision program and the NTU co-supervisor.
The TUM-NTU Joint Supervision Program is open to TUM doctoral candidates from all disciplines. In order to be eligible for the program the applicant must:
- have the approval/support from the TUM supervisor
- have found a co-supervisor at the NTU
- be a regular member of the TUM Graduate School (no guest doctoral candidates)
- have attended the TUM Graduate School Kick-Off Seminar at the time of the anticipated mobility starting date
- apply within the first 12 months of his or her doctoral registration at TUM
To apply for the program, please
- Contact your (potential) TUM supervisor to discuss your interest in participating in the TUM-NTU Joint Supervision Program. Check with your TUM supervisor whether he/she has any existing contacts at the NTU.
- Check the NTU's website to determine a suitable advisor for you and to arrange your co-supervision and research stay(s).
- Once you have the support from a co-supervisor at the NTU, submit your application for participation in the TUM-NTU Joint Doctoral Supervision Program.
- Send all required application documents to the Program Exchange Liaison Officer at the TUM Graduate School Management Office.
To apply for the TUM-NTU Joint Doctoral Supervision Program, submit the following application documents via email to the TUM Graduate School Management Office:
- Fully completed TUM-NTU Joint Doctoral Supervision Program Application Form,
- Motivation letter why you are applying for the TUM-NTU Joint Doctoral Supervision Program (max. one page),
- Support letter from your TUM doctoral supervisor,
- Support letter from your NTU co-supervisor,
- CV,
- Copy of your master's degree certificate and transcript.
The application for program admission will open on 1 April 2024.
Application is open throughout the year. Please apply at least 3-4 months before the start date of your intended (first) research stay at the NTU.
Outgoing TUM doctoral candidates participating in the TUM-NTU Joint Supervision Program may apply for the Research@NTU Grant consisting of:
- one-time travel support of 1,000 Euro (based on the actual ticket price)
- 400 EUR per month to support accommodation and living expenses in Singapore for research stays for up to 12 months at the NTU
The Research@NTU Grant may be combined with other TUM-GS internationalization funding schemes.
Please note that TUM doctoral candidates based in Singapore at TUMCreate are not eligible for the Research@NTU Grant. Furthermore, the Research@NTU Grant cannot be used for research stays at TUMCreate.
NTU offers on-campus housing for students and staff. However, as demand for on-campus housing exceeds supply, a place in one of NTU's students cannot be guaranteed. Further information on student housing options can be found at https://www.ntu.edu.sg/life-at-ntu/accommodation. If you cannot get a place at an NTU student hall, inform yourself about alternative housing options at least three months before traveling to Singapore. NTU is located in the west of Singapore, and nearby housing estates include Jurong West, Boon Lay, and Jurong East. Depending on your needs, there are various private student housing options, and (short-term) accommodation offers from private homeowners.
For all information about the TUM-NTU Joint Supervision Program, please contact:
Mrs Zizheng Zhang
International Cooperation & Alliances
TUM Graduate School
Email: zizheng.zhang@tum.de
Phone: +49 89 289 10631
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Please find an overview of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the TUM-NTU Joint Supervision Program below:
My TUM supervisor does not have any existing contacts with faculty members at NTU Singapore. Can I still apply for the program?
Yes, you are very welcome to apply for the program. However, as the acceptance of a host at NTU Singapore is a requirement for application, you need to find a faculty member (usually a professor) at NTU Singapore who is willing to be your host. You can find all contact details and research areas of professors at NTU Singapore directly on the website of the respective schools. Please contact a potential host with your CV and motivation letter directly. In any case, you should discuss your choice of host with your TUM supervisor before applying for the program.
I am employed by my chair/research group at TUM, may I apply for the program and the Research@NTU Grant?
If your TUM supervisor/your boss agrees, you may, of course, apply for the program. It's important to discuss your options (e.g. Fortbildungsreise) with your supervisor/boss as soon as possible. After admission into the Joint Supervision Program, you have to take care of your, e.g., Fortbildungsreiseantrag, etc.
I have a scholarship, may I apply for the program and the Research@NTU Grant?
If your TUM supervisor agrees, you may apply for the program. However, please inform yourself as soon as possible, whether your scholarship provider may have its own specific regulations about research stays abroad and the continuation of your scholarship payment during your stay at NTU Singapore.
I am an "external" doctoral candidate, may I apply for the program and the Research@NTU Grant?
If your TUM supervisor agrees, you may apply for the program. However, please discuss your plans with your employer to find out whether there are any objections.
Is the number of candidates limited?
There are up to three placements per year for TUM applicants in the program.
May I split my 12-month research stay at NTU Singapore into several shorter periods?
You can split your research stay into several shorter periods if your supervisors at TUM and NTU Singapore agree to your plans. However, you will be awarded travel support only once.
I wish to do a shorter research stay at NTU Singapore. May I still apply for the program?
The Joint Supervision Program offers a unique opportunity for TUM doctoral candidates to enhance their research experience by undertaking a minimum 12-month research stay at NTU Singapore. In exceptional and justifiable cases, it is possible to shorten the stay up to 10 months. The program provides a rich academic environment, exposure to diverse research methodologies, and the chance to work with leading experts in your field.
After the application, when will I receive the outcome of my application?
After the application, applicants shall usually be informed of the application outcome within 6-8 weeks. However, the decision procedure may be prolonged due to factors such as the incompleteness of application documents or public vacations. We strive to keep you informed about the status of your application during this time.
What are the anticipated expenses for the Joint Supervision Program?
As part of an official TUM-GS mobility program, you are not required to pay any tuition fees at NTU Singapore. However, you need to cover other expenses like visa, accommodation, travel, food, books, teaching materials (if needed), insurance, etc., yourself. Successful TUM Joint Supervision candidates will receive the TUM-GS Research@NTU Grant of 400 Euro per month to support their expenses in Singapore and a one-time 1,000 Euro travel support.
How and when will I receive the Research@NTU Grant?
In case of successful admission, you will receive the first share of the Research@NTU Grant after your arrival in Singapore to your German bank account. In order to receive the grant, please send us a copy of your flight ticket/boarding pass and payment receipt within the first month of your research stay in Singapore. The first share will include the 1,000 Euro travel support and 1,200 Euro for the first three months of your research at NTU Singapore. Depending on whether you will split the 12 months research stay or not, you will either get a monthly payment of 400 Euro starting from month 4 or receive the remaining grant in several shares according to your schedule. Please note that the Research@NTU Grant must be mentioned in your final application for travel costs reimbursement at the TUM travel office and/or when applying for the TUM-GS internationalization support. The amount received within the Research@NTU Grant will be charged against the overall expenses.
Besides the Research@NTU Grant, are there any other funding options?
TUM research/teaching associates and scholarship holders are usually eligible to apply for the TUM-GS Internationalization Support. Please visit the section on 'Research Stay Abroad' on the TUM-GS website for further information. Please note that TUM-external institutions, e.g. the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) also offer own scholarship programs for research stays abroad. However, if you receive the Research@UQ Grant, the amount received within the grant will be charged against the overall expenses.
I need to cancel or shorten my research stay at NTU Singapore. What will happen with my Research@NTU Grant?
If you need to cancel your research stay within the first three months after you have started your research at NTU Singapore, you will have to repay the entire Research@NTU Grant to the TUM Graduate School. You may be exempt from the repayment if you are able to provide a good cause for cancellation (incl. proof of evidence). If you have to shorten your research stay but your research stay is still longer than 10 months at NTU Singapore, you do not need to repay the Research@NTU Grant.
I do not wish to participate in the official program but want to do a shorter/longer individual research stay at NTU Singapore. May I still apply for the Research@NTU Grant?
No, the Research@NTU Grant is exclusively for candidates in the TUM-NTU Joint Supervision Program. TUM research/teaching associates and scholarship holders are usually eligible to apply for the TUM-GS internationalization support.
I am a TUM doctoral candidate based at TUM Create in Singapore. May I apply for the TUM-NTU Joint Supervision Program?
TUM doctoral candidates at TUM Create are welcome to apply for the TUM-NTU Joint Supervision Program.
I am based at TUM Create in Singapore. Do I have to do a 12-month research stay on the premises of NTU Singapore?
If you regularly collaborate closely with your NTU co-supervisor, your research at TUM Create may be counted as your research stay at NTU. You do not need to be physically based on the NTU campus.
Am I eligible to apply for the Research@NTU Grant?
As you already live in Singapore and receive a regular salary/funding, you are not eligible to apply for the Research@NTU Grant.