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The Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship 2026 is one of the most respected archival research programs in Southeast Asia. Offered by the National Library Board, it gives selected researchers direct access to rare historical materials that document Singapore and the wider region from early history to modern times.
This fellowship is not just an academic opportunity. It is a structured, fully supported research residency designed for historians, curators, and scholars who want to work deeply with primary sources held in Singapore’s national collections.
Deadline: 29 May 2026
WhatsApp ChannelAbout the Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship
The fellowship is a six-month residential research program based in Singapore. Selected fellows conduct original research using materials from:
- The Lee Kong Chian Reference Library
- The National Archives of Singapore
These collections include:
- Early printed works from the 16th century onwards
- Historical maps and charts of Southeast Asia
- Colonial-era records and documents
- Rare books and manuscripts on Singapore and Malaya
- Private collections from authors, donors, and institutions
The program is designed to encourage original academic work based on primary archival sources that are often difficult to access elsewhere.
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Why This Fellowship Matters
What makes Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship important is not just funding, but access.
Singapore’s national collections contain materials that are central to understanding:
- Colonial and pre-colonial Southeast Asia
- The development of Singapore and Malaya
- Cultural evolution across ethnic communities
- Wartime history and post-war transformation
- Literature, architecture, and identity formation in the region
For many researchers, these archives provide the missing pieces needed to complete long-term historical studies.
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Financial Support and Benefits
The fellowship provides structured financial support to allow full-time research in Singapore.
Monthly support
- S$3,500 monthly stipend for all fellows
Additional support for overseas researchers
- Up to S$1,500 relocation allowance
- Up to S$1,500 return airfare reimbursement
- Up to S$3,500 monthly accommodation allowance
Alongside funding, fellows receive:
- Dedicated research space at the library
- Access to rare and restricted archival collections
- Guidance from library research staff
- Full use of library infrastructure and digital tools
This structure ensures that researchers can focus entirely on their work without external distractions.
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Who Can Apply
The Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship is open globally. Applicants typically include:
- Academics and university researchers
- PhD and postdoctoral scholars
- Curators and museum professionals
- Independent historians with strong research backgrounds
The key requirement is a demonstrated ability to conduct serious scholarly work. Applicants must also show how their project connects directly with the available archival collections.
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Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated based on several academic and practical factors:
- Originality of the research topic
- Relevance to Singapore and Southeast Asian collections
- Feasibility within a six-month timeframe
- Strength of academic background or equivalent experience
- Clarity and depth of the research proposal
- Evidence of prior scholarly work or achievements
A strong proposal is usually one that clearly explains what sources will be used and how the archives will support the research outcomes.
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What Fellows Are Required to Do
The Lee Kong Chian Fellowship is structured around clear academic obligations.
During and after the program, fellows must:
- Stay in Singapore and work primarily in the library
- Deliver at least two presentations (internal and public)
- Produce a research resource guide (annotated bibliography)
- Submit a 3,000-word academic paper
- Submit a 6,000-word research paper
- Provide a post-fellowship research reflection report
- Contribute feedback on archival collection gaps
After completion, the research outputs may also be considered for publication by the National Library Board.
Research Areas for 2026
Each year, the fellowship highlights priority research themes. For 2026, the focus areas include:
1. Singapore Literature and Theatre
Critical studies on contemporary literature and theatre from the 1950s onward.
2. Comparative Colonial Histories
Research comparing early Singapore and Malaya through Western and Asian perspectives.
3. Arts and Cultural Development
Studies on visual, performing, and literary arts before independence, including underrepresented communities.
4. World War II Archival Research
Work using specialized donor collections, including materials connected to wartime experiences in Southeast Asia.
5. Social History of Pre-Independence Singapore
Exploration of everyday life, society, and governance in colonial Malaya.
6. Architecture and Cultural Memory
Research into how architecture shapes identity and cultural storytelling.
7. Straits Settlements Studies (1826–1946)
Historical research covering Penang, Malacca, and Singapore under British administration.
8. Chinese Community and Clan Associations
Use of materials from major clan organizations and community records.
These topics reflect a strong emphasis on Southeast Asian identity, colonial history, and cultural evolution.
Publishing Rights and Academic Output
A key feature of the fellowship is its publication framework.
Research produced during the program may be:
- Published by the National Library Board
- Repackaged into an official research series
- Edited for institutional publication standards
- Distributed in digital and physical formats
Fellows are required to acknowledge the National Library Board in any published work based on fellowship research.
This makes the program especially valuable for researchers aiming to build long-term academic visibility.
Application Process and Deadline
Applications for the fellowship must be submitted with a completed application form (Downloadable).
Key details:
- Deadline: 29 May 2026
- Submission: Email or postal application
- Contact: LKCRF@nlb.gov.sg
- Address: National Library Board Headquarters, Singapore
Successful applicants are typically notified within three months after the closing date.
Why Researchers Value This Fellowship
The Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship stands out because it combines three important elements:
- Rare archival access
- Financial and logistical support
- Direct engagement with Singapore’s historical record
For historians working on Southeast Asia, it offers something difficult to replicate elsewhere: uninterrupted access to primary sources in a well-supported research environment.
Conclusion
The Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship is more than an academic grant. It is a focused research experience designed for scholars who want to work directly with historical material that shapes our understanding of Singapore and Southeast Asia.
With its strong archival foundation, support system, and clear academic expectations, it continues to attract researchers from around the world who are serious about producing original, source-based scholarship.
If your work connects with Southeast Asian history, culture, or society, this fellowship is one of the most valuable opportunities available in the region.
