National STEM Talent Search
The National STEM Talent Search (NSTS) is an annual competition by Science Centre Singapore with support from the Ministry of Education. Previously known as A*STAR Talent Search, the competition was inaugurated since 1995 and was based on a concept similar to the Regeneron Science Talent Search organised in USA.
NSTS is a prestigious annual competition that aims to motivate and accord national recognition to students who excel in science and technology. Through NSTS, Singapore students aged 15 to 21 years old are given a platform to showcase their projects and encouraged to further their interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
There are four scientific categories for NSTS 2024
- Biomedical Science
- Computer Science & Mathematics
- Engineering
- Material Science
An invitation email and a Submission Requirement PDF would be sent to the eligible SSEF 2025 participants through their teacher coordinators.
National STEM Talent Search 2024 Highlights
National STEM Talent Search 2024 Winners
Award | Student Name | School |
First Prize | MARTIN KOH ZHEN XUAN | NUS High School of Math and Science |
Second Prize | ANG GEDEON KUSUMA | Raffles Institution |
Third Prize | WU JIAQI | NUS High School of Math and Science |
Chief Judge Special Award & Commendation Award | GAN KAH SHUEN | Raffles Institution |
Chairman Special Award & Commendation Award | VIVIENNE CHUA XUAN YU | Clementi Town Secondary School |
Commendation Award | YIN YUE | Raffles Institution |
Commendation Award | FELICIA TAN EE SHAN | Raffles Institution |
Commendation Award | LIU YIMING | Raffles Institution |
Commendation Award | PAK TZE BIN BRYAN | Raffles Institution |
NSTS 2024 eBooklet
Click here for the NSTS x SSEF 2024 eBooklet!
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APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
- All NSTS participants are required to have taken part in the Singapore Science & Engineering Fair (SSEF). Only Gold, Silver or Bronze award winners are eligible for NSTS. All candidates are required to showcase and articulate their SSEF research projects.
- Singaporean/PR Citizens
- A secondary school or pre-university student aged between 15 – 21 years old (as of 1 May 2025).
- Only one team member per SSEF 2024 project is allowed to participate
If you are keen to participate in the competition, do approach your SSEF Teacher Coordinator. An NSTS email invitation to participants who meet the requirements would be sent to your respective Teacher Coordinators.
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APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Please refer to SSEF for more details on the application procedure.
Eligible candidates will be contacted via their school after SSEF. They will undergo a shortlisting interview with a panel of distinguished judges from various universities and research institutes. Selected finalists will then undergo a Final Judging Interview to select the winners.
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KEY DATES
*Event dates are subject to change
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JUDGING CRITERIA
Non- Technical Technical 80% 20% Creative Ability & Independent Thinking
Scientific Attitude & Motivation and Interests
Potential to Pursue R&D Career & Vision and Goals
Scientific Communication
Depth of Understanding of Project -
PRIZES
Student Category
Student Awards Award Prize First Place Cash Prize of S$5000
Trophy & CertificateSecond Place Cash Prize of S$3000
Trophy & CertificateThird Place Cash Prize of S$2000
Trophy & CertificateCommendation Cash Prize of S$1000
Certificate of Merit
*For those entered the Final Judging Round but were not awarded the positions First, Second or Third*Participants who participated in the Shortlisting Round but were not shortlisted to enter the Final Judging Round will receive an e-Certificate of Participation
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TERMS & CONDITIONS
By submitting your application/registration for participation in National STEM Talent Search (NSTS), you agree that:
a. All personal data submitted by you during your application/registration for and participation in NSTS may be collected, used and/or disclosed by the organizers for various purposes, including to communicate with you for purposes related to NSTS, and such other purposes the organizers may reasonably deem appropriate, or in relation to which you have otherwise provided your consent;
b. The organizers may collect, use, disclose and share with its joint organizers and/or service providers, your personal data, including photographs or audio-video or other recordings of you captured or obtained by or for NSTS ("Material"), for publicity and/or use in advertisements across all media, including, without limitation, in the organizers' publications, presentations, promotional materials on its websites, in its original or edited format, whether to promote NSTS or otherwise, and without further notification, remuneration or compensation to you.
c. In the event where submissions do not comply with the eligibility and/or submission criteria, the submission of an application does not guarantee the participant the opportunity to participate in NSTS. The organizers reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or refuse participation of any participant without providing any reason whatsoever.
In the event of any dispute regarding the rules, the conduct or results of NSTS, or any other matter relating to NSTS, all decisions made by the organizers shall be final and conclusive, and no discussion or correspondence will be entertained. -
FAQs
1. Can I present my A1 SSEF Poster instead of PDF Slides for NSTS 2025?
No, as the NSTS 2025 judges may not have participated in SSEF 2025. A PDF submission would allow us to share your submission for an early preview with the judges to gain understanding about your project.
2. Is it necessary to prepare a Quad Chart and/or Video?
No, however a quart chart and video might be helpful for your presentation to help judges gain a better understanding of your project.
3. I am in a team project; can I still join this competition?
Yes, however, please discuss with your team as only one member from each team is allowed to participate in this competition. You must declare if your project was a team project. If so, please indicate your team members name, and name of teacher/ mentor (if any) involved in the project on the cover slide.
4. Can I bring my prototype to assist in my presentation?
Yes, however, please ensure the items are safe to be brought along. Kindly approach and clarify with the NSTS Secretariat if you require clarification.
5. What do you mean by project might be subjected to a preliminary round before the Shortlisting Round?
A project may be subjected to review if there are overwhelming submissions to the specific category. It will be reviewed based fulfilment of submission criteria and personal statement.
The NSTS Secretariat would contact and notify your respective teacher coordinators via the email indicated in the NSTS 2025 Registration Form of the qualified projects that will enter the Shortlisting Judging Round.
6. Am I allowed to submit revised submission materials for Final Judging Round?
Yes. However, the same set of submission guidelines from Shortlisting Round applies. Students are to adhere to the submission deadline too. Do note that you do not have to submit the personal statement again for Final Judging Round.
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NSTS AWARD WINNERS
National STEM Talent Search 2023 Winners
Award Student Name School First Prize Li Xin Rui Hwa Chong Institution Second Prize
Ivan Joel You Wen Jie NUS High School of Math and Science Third Prize Evan Lim Hong Jun Raffles Institution Chief Judge Special Award &
Commendation Award
Mirdhini Shri Rajaram Raffles Institution Commendation Award Lim Teck Kong NUS High School of Math and Science Commendation Award Liew Wei Pyn NUS High School of Math and Science Commendation Award Bai Ruotong
Hwa Chong Institution Commendation Award Tan Yok Ray Victoria Junior College -
ATS AWARD WINNERS
ATS 2020 Winners
Student Awards
Award Name First Place Qiu Xinzhi
NUS High School of Mathematics and Science
Second Place Jonathan Chew Jian Pin
River Valley High School
Third Place Tian Shuahao
Hwa Chong Institution
Commendation
(arranged alphabetically by school name)
Ethan John Lim
Hwa Chong Institution
Commendation
(arranged alphabetically by school name)
Thangaraja Keerthana
National Junior College
Commendation
(arranged alphabetically by school name)
Michelle Yaochai Yinfei
NUS High School of Mathematics and Science
Commendation
(arranged alphabetically by school name)
Sarah Wong Ee Min
Raffles Girls' School
School Awards
Name School Points First Place NUS High School of Mathematics and Science
6 Second Place River Valley High School
3 Second Place Hwa Chong Institution
3 ATS 2019 Winners
Student Awards
Award Name First Place Tan Kin Hern
NUS High School of Mathematics and ScienceSecond Place Tan Yi Jie Valerie
Dunman High SchoolThird Place Sim Shang Hong
St Andrews Junior CollegeCommendation Yeow An Tze
NUS High School of Mathematics and Science
Commendation Zhao Zhiya
Hwa Chong Institution
Commendation Seet Yong Sheng Clive
NUS High School of Mathematics and Science
Commendation Ang Soo Hui
Anglican High School
Commendation Tan Yee Lin
National Junior College
School Awards
Name School Points First Place NUS High School of Mathematics and Science
7 Second Place Dunman High School
3 Third Place St Andrews Junior College
2 Past Award Winners
Click here to view the ATS Award Winners for 2006-2018.
For more information or enquiries regarding NSTS, please email to the following:
Mr Wesley Lim | wesley_lim@science.edu.sg |
Ms Jamie Kok | jamie_kok@science.edu.sg |
Mr Redza Adly | redza_adly_esmadi@science.edu.sg |