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Civic Action Fellowship

Empowering experienced social sector professionals and volunteers who are deepening expertise and developing new approaches to achieving social good.

Last updated 21 August 2025

On this page

Overview
Civic Action Fellowship tracks
Eligibility criteria 
Assessment criteria
Our partners
For more information 

Applications for the Civic Action Fellowship are now closed.

A purple banner showing a male senior social worker and his quote.
I challenged myself to spearhead new ways to care.
— Sivasubramaniam S/O Selvalatchmanan, Senior Social Worker

Overview

The Civic Action Fellowship offers full-time and part-time sabbaticals for social service professionals and active volunteers in the social field to develop innovative approaches that benefit the community. 

Hosted jointly with the SMU Lien Centre for Social Innovation and the SUSS School of Social Work and Social Development, the Fellowship provides access to academic resources, mentorship, and networks to strengthen your leadership and impact. 

Fellows may: 

  1. Explore new approaches to achieving social impact, based on existing evidence or fresh research they undertake (including in collaboration with researchers).

  2. Pursue experimental projects aimed at advancing the civic good – either within their existing organisations or in new settings (e.g., SSAs supported by Quantedge Foundation).

  3. Gain knowledge or experience in new areas, including in adjacent fields to social sector work, that could support them in leading future initiatives. (possibility of overseas exposure)

Civic Action Fellowship tracks

Choose from two dedicated tracks to empower your next step:

Details of the respective tracks

Track 

Full-time sabbatical

Part-time sabbatical (1 – 2 years)

Duration

12 months

Up to 24 months 

Commitment

Full-time focus on Fellowship project/ venture

50% part-time commitment on Fellowship project/ venture over a longer duration.

Support

Salary reimbursement for eligible participants

Eligibility criteria 

To apply, you must be: 

  • A Singapore citizen. 

  • With at least 5 years of work or active volunteering experience in the social service or civic sector.

Assessment criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the following aspects:

  • Experience, skills, and growth potential to drive positive change

  • Demonstrate strong values alignment, compassion for others, and a genuine desire to contribute to social good

Our partners

This Fellowship is made possible with the support of:

  • Quantedge Foundation 

  • SMU Lien Centre for Social Innovation 

  • SUSS School of Social Work and Social Development

For more information 

For enquiries, email us at pc_enquiry@ncss.gov.sg