National STEM Talent Search

• 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.

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. 

*Event dates are subject to change

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

 

Student Category

Student Awards
Award	Prize
First Place	Cash Prize of S$5000 Trophy & Certificate
Second Place	Cash Prize of S$3000 Trophy & Certificate
Third Place	Cash Prize of S$2000 Trophy & Certificate
Commendation	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

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.

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.

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 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 Science
Second Place	Tan Yi Jie Valerie Dunman High School
Third Place	Sim Shang Hong St Andrews Junior College
Commendation	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.