Established in 1967, the Singapore National Academy of Science (SNAS) operated as an independent institution to promote and disseminate scientific knowledge and technological advancements in Singapore. SNAS was responsible for the publication of the SNAS journal, as well as the organisation of the SNAS Congress then.  In the early 1970s, four other societies (Institute of Physics, Singapore National Institute of Chemistry, Singapore Mathematical Society and Singapore Institute of Biology) were integrated into SNAS. 

In 1975, it was proposed to Dr. Lee Chiaw Meng, who served as the Minister for Education at the time, transform SNAS into a federation of societies. SNAS shall evolve to become a distinguished professional and academic organization, representing scientists in Singapore. Officially founded in 1976, SNAS became an umbrella organisation with the dual objectives of:

  • promoting the advancement of science and technology in Singapore;

  • representing the scientific opinions of its members.

When SNAS was reconstituted, its earlier role was then taken over by the Singapore Association for the Advancement of Science (SAAS). 

 Currently, its constituent societies are:

  • College of Clinician Scientists, Academy of Medicine (CCS) - since 2014

  • Institute of Physics Singapore (IPS)

  • Materials Research Society (MRS) - since 2014

  • Science Teachers’ Association of Singapore (STAS)

  • Singapore Association for the Advancement of Science (SAAS)

  • Singapore Institute of Biology (SIBiol)

  • Singapore Institute of Statistics (SIS) - since 1980

  • Singapore Mathematical Society (SMS)

  • Singapore National Institute of Chemistry (SNIC)

  • Singapore Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SSBMB) - since 1986

  • Singapore Society for Microbiology (SSMB) - since 1983

At formation, there were only six constituent societies, with the others joining subsequently.

The first President of the Academy in 1976 was Dr Lee Chiaw Meng, former Minister for Education and Minister for Science & Technology.  The honorary secretary was Prof Louis Chen.

The second President was Prof Ang Kok Peng (1978-1992), former Member of Parliament for Buona Vista and Head of the Department of Chemistry at the National University of Singapore for a good part of this duration. 

The third President was Prof Leo Tan Wee Hin (1993 to 2013), who held various appointments such as Dean of Science at the National Institute of Education, Professor of Biological Sciences at the Nanyang Technological University, Director of the National Institute of Education, Director of Special Projects at the Faculty of Science in the National University of Singapore (NUS), and Professor of Biological Sciences at NUS during his tenure as President. 

The fourth President was Prof Andrew Wee served for two consecutive terms (2013 to 2019). He currently holds appointments of Vice President (University and Global Relations) at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Professor of Physics at NUS Faculty of Science, Director of Surface Science Lab at NUS, Senior Faculty Member at the NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, and Adjunct Scientist at the Institute of Materials Research & Engineering. 

The fifth and current President is Prof Lim Tit Meng (2019 -). Prof Lim is also the Chief Executive of Science Center Singapore and a faculty member at the Life Science Program at NUS.

In 1998, SNAS started to appoint Honorary Fellows of the society.  However, it was only in 2011 when local scientists started being appointed as Fellows of the Academy.  More fellows joined the list in 2014 with the intention to increase the number of Fellows by 10 every year, up to 100 living persons. As of 2022, SNAS has 56 Fellows and 3 Honorary Fellows.