Civic Action Fellowship
Encourage social service sector professionals and active volunteers to deepen their expertise and develop new approaches to achieving social good.
Last updated 5 January 2026
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Applications for the Civic Action Fellowship are now closed.
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:
Explore new approaches to achieving social impact, based on existing evidence or fresh research they undertake (including in collaboration with researchers).
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).
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
