How it started

In June 2010, the Singapore Olympic Foundation (SOF) set up the SOF-Peter Lim Scholarship with a S$10-million donation from philanthropist and sports enthusiast, Mr Peter Lim. The gift remains the single largest donation in Singapore from an individual towards sports development.  In 2019, Mr Lim renewed his commitment pledging an additional $10 million to continue the Scholarship from 2021 to 2030.

The driving force behind the Scholarship is the desire to ensure that no promising young athlete who is committed to chasing his or her sporting dreams, should be hampered by financial restraints.

The Scholarship aims to:

  • Help young deserving sports talents from financially challenged background to achieve their sporting goals; and
  • Support young high performing athletes under 18 years old to pursue sporting excellence in their chosen fields.

From 2011 to 2020, 2,930 scholarships amounting to S$8 million were awarded to student-athletes from 54 sports.

The pandemic halted many local and international sports competitions. The disruption has affected the selection criteria for the application of the Scholarship. Benchmarks at such competitions would usually determine the eligibility of the recipients. With the lack of competition results, the SOF decided to seek alternative qualification criteria, in its effort to continue to support young aspiring athletes.

Hence, the SOF will be disbursing ‘encouragement awards’ instead of scholarships in 2021.

The aims remain the same – to encourage young student-athletes to play and compete in sports and to benefit as many recipients as possible from financially challenged backgrounds.

Tenure, Categories & Quanta of Awards

The tenure of the Scholarship is one year. The Scholarship has 4 categories. The cash award for each category of scholarship is as follows:

Category Student Status/Age Group Minimum Level of Sporting Achievements Quantum
Primary+ Primary school student

Good performance at interschool (minimal zonal) or equivalent competition/s

 S$250 per year
Secondary+ Secondary school student

Good performance at interschool (minimal national) or equivalent competition/s

 S$500 per year
JC/IP/Tertiary+ Junior College, Integrated Programme (Yr 5/Yr 6), Tertiary student

Good performance at age-group, inter-school (minimal national) or equivalent competition/s

 S$1,000 per year
High Performance (U18)^

18 years old and below as at 31 Dec 2020

 Commendable performance in regional/international competition/s S$2,500 per year

+ Key considerations: Applicant’s family income & sports performance.
^ Key considerations: Applicant’s sports performance and potential.

Important Dates

  • 11 January 2021: Application opens
  • 10 February 2021: Application closes at 4pm
  • March/April 2021: Scholarship interviews for ‘High Performance (U18)’ category applicants.
  • May 2021: Notification of successful applicants via email only
  • TBA:  Award Presentation Ceremony subject to the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

Eligibility

The scholarship is awarded only to Singapore citizens who are either:

  • financially-deserving* and promising athletes from primary, secondary/junior college and tertiary educational institutions; or
  • talented athletes under 18 years old who have represented Singapore in overseas competitions.

Existing scholars who wish to apply for a renewal of scholarship must put in a fresh application when application opens for the year. Unsuccessful applicants of previous selection exercises are welcome to apply again if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Special considerations will be given to athletes who require specific funding support which is not provided by existing schemes of the National Sports Associations (NSA) or Sport Singapore.

Interested applicants who are going to be enlisted or currently serving National Service are not eligible to apply.

Primary/Secondary/Junior College/Tertiary Categories

The applicant:

  • is a Singapore citizen;
  • is financially-deserving*;
  • has shown outstanding performance from January to December 2020 in either age-group, inter-school/zonal (Primary category)/national, and/or national sports association-recognised competition/s of his/her selected sport;
  • must be of good character & conduct;
  • must have his/her application endorsed by his/her school** or the relevant National Sports Association; and
  • agrees to be profiled in materials produced/approved by the Singapore Olympic Foundation and to allow the use of his/her photos/images in these materials.

** Applicants waiting for school postings can get their alma maters to endorse their applications.

High Performance (U18) Category

The applicant:

  • is a Singapore citizen;
  • is under 18 years old as of 31 December 2020;
  • has shown commendable performance from January to December 2020 in regional or international sporting competition/s recognised by the relevant national sports associations;
  • is not a recipient of SpexScholarship;
  • must have his application endorsed by the relevant National Sports Association; and
  • agrees to be profiled in materials produced/approved by the Singapore Olympic Foundation and to allow the use of his/her photos/images in these materials.

Details of Income Limit for Primary/Secondary/Junior College/Tertiary Categories

The applicant’s monthly gross per capita income (PCI) must not exceed the income limit set by the SOF. This income limit is subject to a regular review by the SOF Scholarship Committee so as to preserve the relevance of the Scholarship.

PCI is computed based on the applicant’s gross household income divided by the number of living members in the same household, including the applicant and his/her parents, siblings and grandparents. For computation of the PCI, the applicant must submit either original or photocopy of the income documents. 

The PCI will not be revealed and is strictly confidential during the application period.

Important note: Information of both parents’ incomes must be furnished.

ReasonDocumentary Proof
UnemploymentCPF statement showing the contribution history in the last 6 months or latest IRAS tax computation statement
Chronic illness of parentLetter/medical report by a medical doctor registered with the Singapore Medical Council
Single-parenthood due to divorce or deathCourt documents stating amount of financial contribution from former spouse or death certificate, where applicable
Other extenuating reasonContact SOF for assistance

How to Apply

  1. Online Application Form is available on 11 January 2021, and submission will close on Wednesday, 10 February 2021, 4pm. All application forms are to be submitted to SOF before the deadline.  Only successful applicants will be notified by email.
  2. Ensure that all entries are correct before clicking on the ‘Submit’ button. (SOF’s decisions pertaining to the disbursement of the Scholarship are final. All applicants are strongly advised to provide all relevant and pertinent information in their online application.)
  3. An email will be sent to the applicant on the Completed Application Form submitted.  Print out the completed application form.
  4. Submit the hardcopy of the application form, together with the supporting documents, to your school or National Sports Association (NSA) for endorsement. For National/National Youth Team athletes, a Letter of Support and the NSA Assessment Form from the NSA must be attached.
  5. Organise the documents in the following order:
    1. Duly signed application form, endorsed by applicant’s school or NSA;
    2. Photocopies of 2020 school results;
    3. Photocopies of CCA records, Competition Results and/or other certificates/awards received from 2018-2020 (if any);
    4. Original or photocopies of relevant income documents and/or supporting documents from employers, CPF Board, IRAS, Courts, professional and medical bodies, or relevant authorities.
    5. A Letter of Support is required for the applicants for High Performance U18 category from the National Sport Associations (NSAs).
  6. Submit your application by mail or hand deliver to:
    1. Singapore Olympic Foundation – Peter Lim Scholarship 2021
      c/o Singapore National Olympic Council
      3 Stadium Drive, #01-02
      Singapore 397630
    2. If hand delivered, please sealed your application form in a sealed envelope.  The office is located within the premises of Sport Singapore (beside Stadium MRT Station).

Application

Online applications for Year 2021 open on 11 January 2021, at this link.

Application forms must reach SOF before Wednesday, 10 February 2021 at 4pm, and the online form will also be closed at this time.

Important Notes

All completed application forms together supporting documents must reach the SOF by 4pm on Wednesday, 10 February 2021. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

Each applicant can only submit ONE (1) application form per year. An applicant who submits multiple applications will be disqualified. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered. We regret that only shortlisted applicants will be notified.

Contact Information

For more information on the Scholarship, you may contact:

Mr Chay Keng Fai
Email:  chaykengfai@snoc.org.sg
Contact no.: +65 6702 5154

Frequently-Asked Questions

Q1. Must I submit my application form directly to the Singapore Olympic Foundation (SOF)?

Yes, you must submit your application form directly to the SOF before the application window closes. Please allow sufficient delivery time for your mail to reach the SOF.

Q2. What if I miss the scholarship application deadline?

All applicants must submit the completed application form and supporting documents by the stipulated closing date. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Amendments to your application will not be allowed after your online submission.

Q3. How can the Scholarship fund be deployed?

The scholarship fund can be used to pay for expenses incurred in the course of training/competitions e.g. cost of transport, coaching fees, competition registration fees, training equipment and gear.

Q4. Can I use the scholarship fund for my overseas training and competition?

Yes, although these should be funded by your school or the National Sports Association. However, if you are not funded for various reasons, you may use this scholarship fund for your overseas training and competition.

Q5. How will I receive the cash awarded with the Scholarship?

The scholarship awardee will receive a cheque made payable to him/her, mailed to the postal address provided in his/her application form.