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NRF Competitive Research Programme (CRP) 9th Grant Call
This is a prestigious national award that provides large funding quantum of up to $10 million per project for R&D proposals of various disciplines working on a common unifying theme.
In each Scenario/Thematic-based CRP grant call, NRF will articulate a scenario/theme that describes a major potential problem or challenge1 that could benefit from Science and Technology research and development (R&D). The scenario is non-exhaustive and serves mainly to inspire and stimulate thinking about how R&D can create new and innovative technologies. The Singapore research community would then be invited to submit proposals for programmes that address key scientific and technological problems relevant to the given scenario.
The Scenario/Thematic-based CRP variation will create a tighter linkage between programmes surfaced and potential challenges and/or opportunities for Singapore. This will complement the existing CRP general grant calls and help to surface truly use-inspired research programmes that can produce strategic breakthroughs for Singapore via the CRP Funding Scheme.
In addition to the basic evaluation criteria for proposals submitted under the General CRP calls, Scenario/Thematic-based CRP proposals would be evaluated on the following additional criteria:-
i. Extent to which the proposed R&D programme and its identified research problems to be tackled address the challenges and/or opportunities posed by the given scenario for novel innovations;
ii. Relevance and importance of the proposed R&D programme in terms of the economic, technological, social and/or environmental impact it could have on Singapore's technology export opportunities; and
iii. International competitiveness of the proposed R&D programme, as compared to other efforts in a similar area of focus.
Track B: Energy-related Competitive Research Programme.
The Energy Innovation Challenge Directorate (EICD) was established by NRF in Feb 2011 to catalyse significant changes in Singapore's energy landscape in a whole-of-government effort to meet the National Innovation Challenge of Energy Resilience for Sustainable Growth (ENIC). Proposals that fulfill the objectives of the ENIC - to develop cost-competitive energy solutions for deployment within 20 years to help Singapore improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and increase energy options, are sought. More details on track B are available at the following web-link, and all submissions under this track must be completed here.
Multi-disciplinary research is strongly encouraged for all submitted proposals, as is partnership between industry and academia.
Funding Information
| Capped Amount |
Maximum Duration |
| $10M |
5 years |
The CRP scheme offers funding support for programme of varying sizes over three to five years, capped at a funding quantum of S$10 million. Stronger justifications on the economic contribution would be required for proposals with requested budget in excess of S$5 million. NRF will support 100% of the approved direct costs for supported programmes proposed by public sector organisations. For supported programmes proposed by Singapore-based private sector organisations, funding will be up to 70% of qualifying costs.
In addition, 20% of the total qualifying approved direct costs (i.e., less exceptional items) will be provided for IRC, and another 10% will be given to the Technology Licensing Office (TLO) or equivalent in the host institution to support for IP protection and commercialisation activities.
Eligibility
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PIs from all Singapore-based institutions of higher learning (IHLs), public sector agencies and research institutions, hospitals, research laboratories as well as companies and company-affiliated research laboratories/institutions, are eligible to apply.
- Private sector funding support (i.e., for Singapore-based companies and company-affiliated research laboratories) would be on a co-funding basis, commensurate to the stage of R&D (upstream vs. downstream) of the project.
- Only research conducted in Singapore may be funded under the CRP.
- R&D proposals already funded by other government agencies would not be considered under the CRP. PIs must declare their other funding sources during application.
- Research proposals are invited in all areas of science and technology except for primarily BMS proposals, which will be supported by other funding sources.
Selection Process
NRF will shortlist promising White Papers to be developed into Full Proposals, which will be put through an international peer review process. NRF's International Evaluation Panel will select the final proposals for funding support. Proposals will be evaluated on the criteria of research excellence, manpower development potential, economic impact and industry involvement.
Application Procedure
A) Submission for review: 16 Jan 2012, Monday, 12 PM
Interested applicants need to submit a White Paper of up to five pages describing their research proposal and objectives as well as expected outcomes.
We will also be putting together an advisory panel to assist in strengthening your proposal where necessary. As such, please submit the relevant documents to NUHS Research Office, NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, and forward the soft copy to Grant_RO@nuhs.edu.sg by Monday, 16 Jan 2012 at 12 PM. We will revert back with the comments by Friday, 20 Jan 2012.
Submission through RITA should only proceed once we revert with comments from the advisory panel.
| SoM |
NUH |
|
- 1 duly-signed hard copy and soft copy of the White Paper (with Annexes)
- 1 duly-signed hard copy and soft copy of the NUS Grant Endorsement Form
|
- 1 duly-signed hard copy and soft copy of the White Paper (with Annexes)
- 1 duly-signed hard copy and soft copy of the NUH Grant Endorsement Form
|
| White Paper format |
a. Maximum 5 page White Paper write-up
(minimum size 12-point font with reasonable margins, describing the research programme being proposed)
b. 2 page CVs for each PI, Co-PI and Collaborators
(to follow format as specified in Annex A in the Guidelines)
c. Maximum 2-page reference
(may be attached as annexes that will not be subject to the 5 page limit. White papers that do not adhere to the prescribed format will be excluded from the evaluation)
d. Other supporting documents, if applicable |
Please download the information sheet, detailed guidelines and the write-up for more information.
While no fixed format is required for the 5 page White Paper, it should minimally include the following information presented in a clear and organised manner:
-
Objectives of the proposed research programme (both scientific as well as in terms of potential economic and other impact on Singapore);
-
Brief overview of the individual projects within the programme (including how they relate to each other and to the objectives of the programme);
-
Novelty of proposed research viz-a-viz the current state-of-the-art in that field (including an assessment of the international competitiveness of the programme against other efforts by competitors around the world);
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Expected research outputs and outcomes, and proposed key performance indicators (KPIs) for the programme (which should be linked to measuring progress towards the objectives of the programme);
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Budget for the entire programme (direct costs broken down into the following broad categories as defined in Annex B, mainly: (a) expenditure on manpower (EOM); (b) equipment; and (c) other operating expenditure (OOE), with sub-categories for conferences/overseas working visits/meetings, materials and consumables (including animal costs if any), use of services/laboratory space within the host institution and miscellaneous costs or others);
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Timeline of the programme (including intermediate milestones over the duration of the programme);
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The proposed research team's expertise and relevant prior work/experience, including the roles and contributions of industry PIs or partners where relevant (2 page CVs in the format specified at Annex A are required for the Lead PI, Co-PIs and all collaborators; these should be attached as an annex to the White Paper and will not count against the 5 page limit);
-
Justifications for NRF funding support for the proposed programme;
-
Other relevant information as determined by the Lead PI.
B) Online Submission to NRF RITA system - Internal deadline: 27 Jan 2012 (Friday), 12.00pm
You may wish to incorporate the comments provided and submit your proposal to NRF through the RITA system for endorsement by the host institute.
Although the system will be opened until 31 Jan 2012 (Tuesday), 11.00 am, please submit to us by 27 Jan 2012 (Friday), 12.00 pm for the host institute's endorsement. Do take note that submissions without the host institute's endorsement will be deemed incomplete.
C) Hard Copy Submission -Internal deadline: 1 Feb 2012 (Wed), 5 pm
| SoM |
NUH |
|
- 1 duly-signed hard copy and soft copy of the White Paper (with annexes)
|
- 1 duly-signed hard copy and soft copy of the White Paper (with annexes)
|
Please submit the relevant documents to NUHS Research Office, NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, and forward the soft copy to Grant_RO@nuhs.edu.sg by Wednesday, 1 Feb 2012 at 5 pm.
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