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August 6, 2026

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ISD scholarship does not guarantee future recruits, but may drive peer-led counter-radicalisation: Experts

The ISD’s scholarship initiative can help the agency compete with the private sector for talent in the long term by connecting with a generation that prioritises purpose and meaning in their work.

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SINGAPORE: For 17-year-old student M M Chua, the Internal Security Department (ISD) has always seemed like a “secretive organisation”.

“Most of the time, ISD seems to come up in the news for radicalisation, and that subject matter. I thought that was possibly the only thing that ISD handled,” the Integrated Programme student told CNA.

He was among the first batch of students who received the ISD Junior College and Polytechnic Scholarship, a bond-free scholarship that was launched in August last year.

The 10 successful applicants were notified in end-May this year, and underwent a two-day immersion programme in June.

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IB student Chan Y, who was also one of those who received the S$2,500 (US$1,950) award, gained clarity about the agency’s work and the threats facing Singapore.

“I had a misconception that ISD only went after extremists and terrorism and did not know about the anti-subversion, anti-espionage divisions,” said the 18-year-old.

Both students’ full identities are not revealed for data and privacy reasons, said ISD.

Their experiences reflect one of the scholarship’s key objectives: giving students a rare opportunity to understand the work of an agency whose operations largely remain out of public view.

With youth radicalisation in the spotlight following ISD’s detention of three self-radicalised youths announced last week, experts told CNA that such an outreach initiative by the ISD could help raise awareness among the segment through peer-to-peer conversations among students.

Observers added that such an initiative can also help the ISD compete with the private sector for talent in the long term, by connecting with a generation which prioritises purpose and meaning in their choice of work.

TALENT

The scholarship caters to those in their first year of junior college, fifth year of the International Baccalaureate programme, and first two years of polytechnic, said ISD.

“The scholarship aims to raise awareness of the threats facing Singapore and to inspire students to consider a future career with ISD in safeguarding Singapore’s safety and security,” the agency told CNA.

To qualify, students are assessed on their knowledge and interest in security issues and current affairs through a written essay and an in-person panel interview.

Observers said the scholarship draws youths to the agency’s work, finding out more about an organisation whose work typically stays hidden, without constraining their future career options.

“I think in the current economic environment, a lot of people, including youths, might be thinking about careers in terms of not just interest, but also about stability and progression,” said Dr Teo Kay Key, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies who does youth-related research.

“At that age, they are likely still exploring options, and could be applying just to gain exposure to a field that typically is more secretive.”

It would also help ISD compete for talent with other sectors, by appealing to what matters to a younger workforce, said observers.

“There is indeed competition from various sectors for talented and capable graduates,” said Mr Edmund Lin, principal consultant of Singapore Education Consulting Group.

The bond-free nature of the scholarship is “likely a carefully examined decision” to help the agency “attract the right talents who would gladly and willingly serve in ISD”, he added.

COUNTER-RADICALISATION

Two of the recent three cases had planned attacks on schools, with a 14-year-old boy creating a 21-page manifesto detailing the stabbings.
ISD said the boy had admitted that he would have executed his attack, had he not been arrested.

In the past decade or so, more than half of the 23 youths dealt with under the Internal Security Act (ISA) had intended to mount attacks in the country.

With youth radicalisation in the spotlight in Singapore, especially with the rising threat of “salad bar” extremism, observers said the scholarship would also help boost awareness among youths, with recipients possibly sharing what they learnt with peers.

“It is possible since those participating in the scheme would likely gain more knowledge about the topic of youth radicalisation and its warning signs,” said Dr Teo.

However, given that the immersion programme is two days, the youths may not be fully equipped or trained to spot all warning signs nor to deal with anyone who might actually be radicalised, she said.

“What it probably can do is to create more awareness amongst participants, and hopefully they spread these knowledge points to others around them,” she added.

Ms Shahrany Hassan, founder of non-profit The Whitehatters that facilitates community dialogue, agreed that while this peer-to-peer effect may not be a primary purpose of the scholarship, it would be an indirect benefit.

“If scholarship recipients develop a better understanding of how radicalisation happens, the warning signs to look out for, and where to seek help, they may become more confident having conversations with friends or encouraging someone to reach out for support,” she said.

In the recent case of the 14-year-old boy, someone in his school had noticed his signs of radicalisation and alerted the authorities. ISD described it as a “close shave”, as he was arrested weeks before he was due to carry out his attack.

Ms Shahrany said that one recurring lesson from recent radicalisation cases is that prevention is not just the responsibility of security agencies.

“Young people are often the first to notice changes in their peers. They may see shifts in behaviour, online activity or language long before adults do,” she added.

“Increasing awareness and reducing misconceptions can contribute to a broader culture where young people feel more confident recognising concerns and encouraging early intervention.”

PURPOSE AND IMPACT

Beyond salary considerations, today’s generation is also looking for purpose and impact in their jobs, said Ms Shahrany.

“National security work offers a strong sense of public service, but that story isn’t always visible because much of the work understandably happens behind the scenes,” she added.

Ms Shahrany noted that the younger generation has grown up sharing more of their lives online, and in a career where anonymity and silence are key, it may not naturally appeal to everyone.

However, that can be overcome if agencies like ISD effectively communicate the purpose of their work, she said.

“For many young people, contributing to something bigger than themselves remains a powerful motivator, even if recognition comes quietly,” she added.

When asked about the conflict between a bond-free scholarship and the aim of the ISD to get youngsters to consider a future career with the agency, observers said that the initiative is less about recruitment than to let students understand more about the agency’s work.

Dr Teo noted that S$2,500 is insufficient to fully fund a diploma or degree course, so it may not make sense to attach a bond to the award.

“Instead, this bond-free scholarship can make it much easier to attract initial interest because there is no obligation,” she said.

“This can allow the agency to get a foot in the door, especially since there is less public knowledge about the work they do, so what they might be prioritising is allowing more people to be exposed to the nature of work, and to perhaps dispel any preconceptions.”

While not every scholarship recipient will end up applying for a job in the ISD, it also means that those who eventually do are more committed because they decided without an obligation, said Dr Teo.

Ms Shahrany said that many people know very little about what the ISD does, beyond high-profile arrests.

“There will always be limits. By its nature, ISD cannot fully open up its operational work, nor should it,” she said, adding that for many young people, government security agencies can feel “abstract or intimidating”.

“Meeting the officers, hearing why they chose the profession, and understanding the broader purpose behind the work can make these institutions feel much more accessible,” she said.