Centre for Career Readiness Resources

For general grant enquiries and the latest grant updates, please contact Duke-NUS Sponsored Research Department (SRD) at srd@duke-nus.edu.sg

National Medical Research Council (NMRC) Research Grants

Other Local Research Grants

Local Non-Profit Research Grants

Internal Awards

Open Fund - Young Individual Research Grant (OF-YIRG) (external link)

The Open Fund - Young Individual Research Grant (OF-YIRG) is a sub-category of OF-IRG and a step for the new investigator to a first independent national level grant. Applicants with substantial research experience will not be accepted under this sub-category. The OF-YIRG is provided to support the conduct of research proposals in basic, translational and clinical research that are relevant to human health and potential, including research that looks at the causes, consequences, diagnosis and treatment of human diseases.

The OF-YIRG will provide a funding quantum of up to $325,000 (inclusive of up to 30% indirect costs^) and up to 3 years.

CS-IRG New Investigator Grant (CS-IRG-NIG) (external link)

CS-IRG New Investigator Grant (CS-IRG-NIG) is a sub-category of the CS-IRG to cater for new clinical investigators. The CS-IRG-NIG is a step for the new investigator towards winning a first independent national level grant. Applicants with substantial research experience will not be accepted under this category.

The CS-IRG-NIG will provide a funding quantum of up to S$260,000 (inclusive of up to 30% indirect costs^) for up to 2 years. Projects involving prospective patient/subject recruitment may apply for a funding duration of up to 3 years, subject to the same funding quantum.

PHRG New Investigator Grant (PHRG-NIG) (external link)

PHRG New Investigator Grant (PHRG-NIG) is a sub-category of the PHRG to cater for new investigators. The PHRG-NIG is a step for the new investigator towards winning a first independent national level grant. Applicants with substantial research experience will not be accepted under this category.

The PHRG-NIG will provide a funding quantum of up to S$130,000 per project (inclusive of up to 30% indirect costs^) for 2 years. Projects involving prospective patient/subject recruitment may apply for a funding duration of up to 3 years, subject to the same funding quantum.

Lee Kuan Yew Postdoctoral Fellowship

The prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Postdoctoral Fellowship was established in 1991 under the Lee Kuan Yew Endowment Fund. It aims to promote the development of young and outstanding academics in science, medicine and engineering. The scheme is open to nationals of all countries.

For all nominated applicants, Departments and Faculty/School should have the intention of recruiting them as Faculty staff after the LKY Fellowship ends.

The successful candidate will be awarded a research grant up to S$180,000 for research consumables and research related expenditure over 3 years.

Ministry of Education (MOE) Academic Research Fund (AcRF) Tier 1

The Ministry of Education (MOE) Academic Research Fund (AcRF) Tier 1 funds research projects on a competitive basis. It is applicable for research proposals of total project values (TPV) between $5,000 and $200,000, over a 3‐year duration.

Priority will be given to junior Faculty with less available funding, with the aim of grooming them to build up their research portfolio and preparing them to compete effectively for external grants.

Singapore National Research Foundation Fellowship (Singapore NRF Fellowship)

The Singapore NRF Fellowship provides opportunities for early career researchers to carry out independent research in Singapore, over a five-year period. It is open to all areas of science and technology and outstanding young scientists and researchers of all nationalities are welcome to apply.

The Singapore NRF Fellowship offers:

A five-year research grant of up to SGD$3.25 million, inclusive of general overheads.
Provides opportunities for early-career researchers to conduct independent research in Singapore. (The award is contingent on the awardee taking on a full-time appointment in an eligible host institution in Singapore.)

Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) Cancer Research Grant (external link)

Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) Cancer Research Grant call aims at delivering holistic patient care and is open to all researchers from various cancer related disciplines, healthcare institutions and organizations in Singapore; from the public, private and voluntary sectors, which are involved in cancer care and/or research.

Proposals can seek funding for a duration up to 2 years, with a preference for projects requesting budgets under S$100,000.

Proposals exceeding this amount may also be considered on a case-by-case basis. It should be noted that reasonableness of project budget is part of the assessment for SCS Cancer Research Grant applications.

Tanoto Foundation Medical Research Fund (MRF) (external link)

Tanoto Foundation (TF) supports medical research with the aim of improving population health in Singapore and beyond. With the launch of the Tanoto Foundation Medical Research Fund (MRF), TF intends to support research excellence and collaborative efforts to generate new discoveries, catalyse additional funding and cultivate local research talent. Ultimately the research outcomes should be made accessible and beneficial for the public good.

The MRF will grant up to S$5 million each cycle.

Temasek Foundation Singapore Millennium Foundation (SMF) Research Grant (external link)

Temasek Foundation Innovates is a Singapore-based non-profit philanthropic organisation that funds and supports programmes focusing on developing practical solutions for a better life through research and innovation. Established in 2016, it aims to strengthen research capabilities by nurturing talents, as well as encouraging multi-disciplinary programmes and inter-agency collaboration for collective capabilities.

The Singapore Millennium Foundation Research Grant Programme (SMF Research Grant Programme) aims to fund and support projects in niche research areas, as well as encourage multi-disciplinary programmes and inter-agency collaboration for collective capabilities.

The grant award is up to S$750,000 over a period of 3 years.

Note: Temasek Foundation reserves the right to modify funding conditions as needed, stay informed of their announcements via their official website.

Diana Koh Innovative Cancer Research Fund

The Diana Koh Innovative Cancer Research Fund was established in July 2023, with the mandate of providing seed grants of up to S$50,000 to junior faculty, postdoctoral fellows and research scientists with new and innovative ideas for the treatment of cancer.

Its aim is to enable aspiring young scientists with the willingness to explore bold, blue-sky ideas to secure the initial funding needed to pursue creative new directions in cancer research.

Requirement:

Postdoctoral fellows with a minimum of four years of experience, or Principal Research Scientists, and who have a primary appointment at Duke-NUS and who are conducting an innovative cancer research study that requires seed funding to be initiated or sustained.

For enquiries, please contact the Duke-NUS Sponsored Research Department (SRD).

St. Baldrick’s Foundation Research Award (SBF)

The St. Baldrick's Foundation has teamed with the Duke-NUS Pediatric Cancer Research fund and can fund one project with a budget up to $100,000. (2023 cycle)

Requirements:

All investigators are welcome to apply.
This funding is for specific research projects that are focused on childhood cancer, are hypothesis driven and may be either laboratory or clinical in nature. Preference is given to mechanism-driven investigations.

For enquiries, please contact the Duke-NUS Sponsored Research Department (SRD).

Khoo Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards (KPFA)

The Khoo Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards (KPFA) present a prestigious opportunity for exceptional postdoctoral research fellows to engage in cutting-edge research under direct supervision of a Mentor. The primary selection criterion in awarding these fellowships is excellence. The Review Committee seeks evidence that the candidate’s research and publication will make a significant, original contribution to medical or biomedical science.

Funding per award is capped at S$150,000 over a period of 2 years.

For enquiries, please contact the Duke-NUS Sponsored Research Department (SRD).

Postdoctoral Grants

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