Syed Isa Semait and MUIS Scholarships

Nurturing Singapore's next generation of religious leaders.

Last updated 30 December 2025

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About Syed Isa Semait Scholarship (SISS)

SISS benefits

About MUIS Scholarship (MS)

SISS and MS recipients

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

About Syed Isa Semait Scholarship (SISS)

The Syed Isa Semait Scholarship (SISS) honours the distinguished legacy of Singapore's former Mufti, Almarhum Shaikh Syed Isa Semait, who was renowned for his exemplary public service, profound religious leadership, and contributions to interfaith harmony.

Established in 2015 as the Syed Isa Semait Scholar Award, the scheme served as a research grant for studies on Asatizah and religious matters affecting the Singapore Muslim community. In 2022, it was reconstituted as an undergraduate scholarship for Islamic Studies at overseas universities and renamed as SISS.

The SISS is designed to attract and nurture exceptional madrasah graduates within the religious sector and to develop a pipeline of future senior religious leaders for our key institutions such as MUIS, Registry of Muslim Marriages (ROMM), Syariah Court and the upcoming Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS). This initiative continues the late Shaikh Syed Isa's vision of dedicated service to both the Singapore Muslim community and nation.

SISS benefits

1. Scholarship award

Up to S$240,000 over four years; inclusive of:

Full coverage of tuition fees and monthly living allowances
Travel benefits including return airfare and travel insurance
Relocation allowance
Textbook and laptop allowances

2. Development opportunities

Scholars Development Programme (SDP) to build competencies based on three main thrusts: Intellectual Development, Religious Career Immersion, and Community Engagement

3. Career development and placement

Direct placement upon graduation in a structured programme designed to nurture asatizah talents and strengthen their leadership capabilities
A six-year bond with MUIS upon graduation which includes personalised development plan and job rotations with MUIS

About MUIS Scholarship (MS)

In 2025, MUIS introduced the MUIS Scholarship (MS) to complement the SISS and support a broader pool of outstanding madrasah graduates. The SISS aims to develop religious leaders for our key religious institutions, whilst the MS aims to nurture religious leaders to serve in our community institutions such as the mosques and madrasahs. Learn if you are eligible to apply.

Media release - Introduction of MUIS Scholarship expands opportunities for local full-time madrasah students

MS benefits

1. Scholarship award

Up to S$120,000 over four years; inclusive of:

Monthly living allowances
Travel insurance
Relocation allowance
Textbook and laptop allowances

2. Development opportunities

Scholars Development Programme (SDP) to build competencies in Intellectual Development, Religious Career Immersion, and Community Engagement.

3. Career development and placement

Direct placement upon graduation in a structured programme designed to nurture asatizah talents and strengthen their leadership capabilities.
A three-year bond upon graduation at community institutions such as mosques and madrasahs, with MUIS’s guidance and support in career placement.

Application details

SISS & MS application requirements

Must be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
Outstanding academic performance throughout full-time madrasah education in Singapore, with excellent O/A-Levels or IB Diploma result
Must have graduated from a full-time madrasah in Singapore within the past five years
Must demonstrate strong leadership potential and exemplary personal conduct

All applicants undergo the same thorough assessment process and may be awarded either the SISS or MS based on their demonstrated leadership potential. However, not all applicants will be awarded scholarships and MUIS’s decision is final.

Application period

1 January 2026 – 15 February 2026

Application steps

Step 1: Prepare supporting documents

a. Forms to be completed and saved in PDF format (max 1MB each).

For individuals (download these forms and fill in the respective fields):
1. Application Declaration Form [PDF, 167 KB]
2. Madrasah Recommendation Form (Optional) [PDF, 204 KB]
For Madrasah (download these forms and fill in the respective fields)
1. Madrasah Nomination Form A [PDF, 173 KB]
2. Agreement of Nomination Form B [PDF, 234 KB]

b. Educational certificates to be compiled and saved in one PDF document (max 2MB)
c. Recent passport photo in JPEG format (max 2MB)
d. Other relevant documents in PDF format (max 1MB)

Step 2: Submit application

Complete and submit the relevant forms and all supporting documents in Step 1 using the online form by 15 February 2026, 11:59pm.

You will receive an email within 5 working days to acknowledge receipt of your SISS & MS 2026 application and supporting documents. For queries, you may contact: rtd_tm@muis.gov.sg.

Click on the button to submit your application

Submit application here

Step 3: First interview

Selected applicants will be invited via email to attend the first interview in March 2026.

Step 4: Attend Scholar’s Briefing & Engagement Day (SBED) and Scholarship Panel Interview

If you are shortlisted, you will be required to attend the SBED which includes a sit-in essay assessment, interview workshop and briefing on the Scholarship Panel Interview.

The Scholarship Panel Interview will be conducted in April 2026.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome by May 2026.

Our scholars

"I am hopeful of the many opportunities that the SISS could provide for my growth as a Muslim, with an eventual transition in me being able to contribute back to the Muslim community."

— Alfawzul Kabir, Al-Azhar University (Islamic Theology), 2022 Scholarship recipient

"The Syed Isa Semait Scholarship is not just prestige — it is an amanah, a trust that reminds me being a scholar comes with purpose: to seek knowledge sincerely and serve the community with what I have been given."

— Haninah Rehan, University of Jordan (Arabic Language and Literature), 2023 SISS recipient

"As an SISS recipient, this scholarship represents a great responsibility that I do not take lightly. I hope to be a good example to my peers whilst gaining valuable experience here in Egypt for my professional development."

— Sharifah Basri, Al-Azhar University (Islamic Theology), 2024 SISS recipient