Youth Expedition Project (YEP) Grant

Application Period:

Applications open on 7 April 2025 and will be reviewed and awarded on a first come first serve basis.

Purpose of YEP Grant

Established by Youth Corps Singapore, the Youth Expedition Project (YEP) grant is created to support and nurture confident and resilient youths who actively seek to improve the lives of others both at home and overseas through sustainable Service-Learning projects. The programme also seeks to develop Asia-Ready youths who are socially and culturally aware and able to forge friendships in the ASEAN member states, China and India.

Key Updates (effective April 2025)

With National Youth Council (NYC) handing over grant administration to NUS Office of Student Affairs (OSA), applicants are to note the following key updates:

Fund Disbursement Timing: YEP funding will be reimbursed after project execution, likely in the second half of 2025 (Q3 or Q4). Project teams should plan ahead for upfront costs.
- For example, projects running in May–June may receive first tranche reimbursement from August 2025, and the second tranche reimbursement from May 2026 – February 2027
- Receipts will be required for all project expenses receiving YEP funding
- NUS WBS Account: A valid WBS is required to receive YEP funding, and reimbursements can subsequently be requested via eRFP through NUServiceHub
In alignment with NUS guidelines, segments of the application form have been refined. Applications will be submitted through MS Forms (review instructions for more details)
- NUS Risk Assessment and Management (RAM) is to be undertaken: All YEP grant applications are to include submission of the completed NUS RAM with endorsement from Staff Advisor. Guidelines on completion can be found here.

Funding Eligibility and Considerations

Overseas Service-Learning projects focused on ASEAN member states, China, or India are eligible for this grant. To qualify, projects must engage with a non-profit organisation or a representative from the host community. Funded projects are expected to include a learning journey in the host country and carry out a local volunteering initiative.

The final grant awarded is based on:

achievement of project deliverables, and
the finalised number of participants eligible for funding, regardless of project's actual costs, capped at approved grant amount as at application stage, and
includes total qualifying* project cost and recce cost (for leaders only, and covers transport, accommodation, meals, travel insurance etc.)

* Click here for a list of qualifying expenses

A) Eligibility Criteria

Team leader(s) and team member(s) must be:
- Singapore Citizen/Permanent Resident to receive funding and
- Team members must not have been funded under YEP before
- Between 15-35 years old
Team leaders are to:
- embark on an overseas recce trip if they have not been to the overseas community within the last 6 months
- attend/have a valid YEP Leaders Training Course Certificate
Complete ASIA Ready Modules
Organise and execute a minimum of 10 overseas Service-Learning Days (of which up to 2 days are for Learning Journeys)
Organise and execute a local volunteering session either pre or post overseas trip
Projects must be endorsed by a NUS staff advisor either from a faculty or department.
Organising committee must be from an official NUS student group.
Projects should not be receiving funding from other OSA funding sources such as Community Engagement Fund, Maybank Green Fund, Teach Singapore and University Support for Pursuit of Arts, Culture and Sports (U-Sparks)

B) Expenditures not supported

Fundraising costs; capital for microcredit projects
Entertainment expenses (e.g. thank you, farewell dinners)
Gifts (e.g. welfare packs) & Donations (in cash or in-kind)
Rest and relax / recreational (R&R) expenses, tips
Sight-seeing / guided tours / visits to museums without clear learning objectives
Field study attachment / exchange trip with no community service & learning elements
Additional printing cost for YEP T-shirts, production of additional team attire
Per diem or allowances to individuals / any personal costs (e.g. personal international calls)
Agency fees for coordination or administration fees of local / overseas partner, agency / travel agent
Fixed assets (e.g. equipment, computers/laptops, furniture)
Add-on airfare cost (e.g. in-flight meals, seats selections, personal baggage add-ons (on top of standard baggage allowance), entertainment etc.)

Application Process

Contact Information

For enquiries, contact  community.engagement@nus.edu.sg.