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SOF-Peter Lim Scholarship

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 2025, 5,269 scholarships amounting to S$12.62 million were awarded to student-athletes from 55 sports.

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$1,000.00 per year
Secondary+ Secondary school student

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

 S$2,000.00 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$3,000.00 per year
High Performance U18^

Under 18 years old as of 31 Dec 2025

 Commendable performance in regional/international competition/s S$5,000.00 per year

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

Important Dates

  • 8 January 2026: Application opens on SOF website
  • 11 February 2026: Application closes.  The online endorsement must be completed before 5pm, 11 February 2026.
  • March/April 2026: Scholarship interviews for ‘High Performance U18 category applicants.
  • Late June 2026: Notification of successful applicants via email only.
  • June/July 2026: Scholarship Award Ceremony

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.

Applicants who are about to enlist or currently serving in National Service are ineligible to apply.

Only sports that are competed at the major games are eligible to apply for the scholarship.

  • Olympic Games (Summer & Winter)
  • Asian Games (Summer & Winter)
  • Commonwealth Games
  • South East Asian Games
  • Youth Olympic Games (Summer & Winter)
  • Commonwealth Youth Games
  • Asian Youth Games

Primary/Secondary/Junior College/Tertiary Categories

The applicant:

  • is a Singapore citizen;
  • is financially-deserving*;
  • has shown outstanding performance in the Year 2025 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 online application endorsed online 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.  From 2026, all endorsements will be submitted electronically, and physical endorsement documents from the NSA and schools will no longer be required. 

High Performance (U18) Category

The applicant:

  • is a Singapore citizen;
  • is under 18 years old  as of 31 December 2025;
  • has shown commendable performance in the Year 2025 in regional or international sporting competition/s recognised by the relevant national sports associations;
  • is not a recipient of SpexScholarship or SpexPotential;
  • 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.
  • National Sports Association (NSA) has to submit the NSA Assessment Form online for the applicant for HPU18 category.

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.

Reason Documentary Proof
Unemployment CPF statement showing the contribution history in the last 6 months or latest IRAS tax computation statement
Chronic illness of parent Letter/medical report by a medical doctor registered with the Singapore Medical Council
Single-parenthood due to divorce or death Court documents stating amount of financial contribution from former spouse or death certificate, where applicable
Other extenuating reason Contact SOF for assistance

How to Apply

  1. Applicants may apply for the 2026 Singapore Olympic Foundation-Peter Lim Scholarship online from 8 January 2026 to 11 February 2026.  Applicants may submit only ONE (1) application form per year.  Submitting multiple applications will result in disqualification; incomplete and/or late submissions will not be accepted.
  2. Submission and endorsement must be completed before 5pm, 11 February 2026.  From 2026, all endorsements will be submitted electronically, and physical endorsement documents from the NSA and schools will no longer be required.
  3. The following documents are to be uploaded with individual file size of 1MB or below:
      • Recent Income Document (eg, salary slips, supporting documents from employers, CPF Board, IRAS, Courts, professional and medical bodies, or relevant authorities).
      • Applicant’s School Results for Year 2025
      • Applicant’s Competition Results for Year 2025
  4. Ensure that all entries are correct before clicking on the ‘Submit’ button. (The SOF’s decisions regarding the disbursement of the Scholarship are final. All applicants are strongly advised to provide complete and accurate information in the application.)
  5. Applicant must provide the Endorser’s name and email address in the portal. Endorsers will receive an email for review and endorsement of the application. Please inform the endorser to check his/her emails.  All endorsements must be completed before 5pm, 11 February 2026
  6. Once you submit, you will receive a confirmation email for your records. No postal submission is required.
  7. For National and National Youth Team athletes applying under the HPU18 category are required to request their National Sports Associations (NSAs) to submit the Online NSA Assessment Form on their behalf.
  8. Successful applicants will be notified by email.

Application

Scholarship application for Year 2026 is closed now

Contact Information

For more information on the Scholarship, you may contact:

Mr Chay Keng Fai
Email:  chaykengfai@snoc.org.sg

Frequently-Asked Questions

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

No.  Applications must be submitted online, with all relevant documents uploaded to the portal. From 2026, all endorsements will be submitted electronically, and physical endorsement documents from the NSA and schools will no longer be required.

Q2. What if I miss the scholarship application deadline?

Applicants must submit the online application form and upload all supporting documents by the stipulated closing date. Applicants should also remind their Endorser to review and endorse the online application before the closing date. Amendments to your application will not be permitted after 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/gear and sports injuries medical consultation.

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?

SOF will disburse the cash award electronically to the recipient's bank account.  The recipient must have a valid bank account in Singapore.