The Seafaring Alternative…an Investment for Life (SAIL) Scholarship is for students with good ‘O’ Level results to sponsor their education and kick-start their maritime career.
The Seafaring Alternative…an Investment for Life (SAIL) Scholarship Scheme aims to attract high-performing students with stellar GCE ‘O’ Level results to the maritime industry.
Sponsored by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), unions and shipping companies, the scheme offers GCE ‘O’ Level students an early step-up in the maritime career path by obtaining a seafaring education and subsequently becoming Masters or Chief Engineers of oceangoing merchant ships. Promising officers can then transfer to shore-based positions, filling critical high-level appointments within the maritime industry.
The scheme covers studies for a Diploma in Nautical Studies (DNS) or Diploma in Marine Engineering (DMR) at the Singapore Maritime Academy, Singapore Polytechnic.
The DNS course of study for deck officers should lead to an appointment as a Ship’s Master, while the DMR course for marine engineering leads to the position of Chief Engineer. Check out the training path for the DNS course (pdf) or the training path for DMR course (pdf).
Upon achieving a Certificate of Competency (COC) Class 1 and completing their sea service, SAIL scholars can apply for the Joint Maritime Scholarship Scheme (JMSS) to enroll in maritime postgraduate studies locally or overseas, through their sponsoring shipping companies.
The SAIL scholarship offers sponsorship and bounty payments of up to S$100,000, which include:
Upon attaining the Deck or Marine Engineer Officer COC Class 2 (about 3 years after graduation), scholars will need to serve their sponsoring shipping company or employer for 4 years.
Download the SAIL application form.
