Call for Applications: Research Translation Grant (Singapore)

Objectives

• This grant call aims to support translational research of promising agrifood R&D which are at higher technology readiness levels (TRL1) within specific areas of focus, demonstrating strong potential for commercialisation. It aims to facilitate the transformation of cutting-edge research into practical applications with tangible impacts for the industry.
• The aquaculture, agriculture, and future food industries are sectors that align with Singapore’s existing industry base and have potential for further growth and development to achieve the ‘30 by 30’ vision.

Categories         

• Sustainable Urban Agriculture
  • Seed Genetics & Breeding for controlled environment agriculture (CEA)
  • Sustainability
• Future Foods
  • Improving Process Development to enable future manufacturing of alternative protein (AP)
  • Strengthening Nutrition & Functionality of AP products

Funding Information 

• Funding support for each Research Proposal shall be up to S$2 to 3 million for a period of up to 2 to 3 years.

Outcomes

• Sustainable Urban Agriculture
  • Develop seeds with superior traits for CEA that could improve yield by 20% through faster plant growth, resulting in lower resource use and better business cost
  • Reduce average energy consumption by 20-30% for vertical farming (e.g. via optimised lighting recipes and air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems)
• Future Foods
  • Develop scale-down process and digital twin model to enable improved efficiency and sustainability of AP modalities such as Microbial Proteins or Cultured Meat
  • Develop novel technologies and approaches to improve viability of AP production process, e.g., bioreactor design or optimising use of media.
  • Develop alternative/novel carbohydrates and lipids, and other specialty ingredients to enhance nutrition availability and functionality of Alternative Protein products and boost consumer acceptance
  • Characterise and apply impact of in-process modifications to enhance AP functionality

Eligibility Criteria

• Principal Investigators (PI) from all Singapore-based institutions of higher learning (IHLs), public sector agencies and private sector entities, are eligible to apply.
• Singapore-based IHLs and public sector agencies will qualify for up to 100 percent of the approved qualifying direct costs4 of a project.
• Funding for private sector entities for research projects would be conditional on collaboration with a public research performer.
• Tiered funding support levels would apply (up to 30% for all non-Singaporean entities, 50% for Singaporean Large Local Enterprises; 70% for Singaporean Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, start-ups, and not-for-profits).
• Support for indirect costs5 of research may be provided, only for Singapore-based IHLs and public sector agencies. Funding support for indirect costs of up to 30 percent of the total qualifying approved direct costs (i.e., total direct costs less exceptional items) will be allowed. This is subject to the approval from SFA. Host Institutions will be responsible for administering and managing the support provided for the indirect costs of research.
• All projected output and achievements of the proposed research are expected to be commensurate with the level of funding requested.
• Research Proposals already funded by other agencies or are being considered for funding by other agencies will not be considered under the present call. PIs will need to declare other funding sources during the application.
• The Lead PI must be based in Singapore. All funding awarded must be used to carry out the research and innovation activities in Singapore unless approved in the grant.
• Collaboration with foreign organisations and experts in the capacity of Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI), or as Collaborator is allowed. However, contracting out the whole or substantial part of the research work is not permitted.
• Collaborators are not permitted to receive, directly or indirectly, any part of the funding, whether in cash or in the form of assets acquired using the funding or otherwise. All assets acquired using the funding must be located in Singapore and maintained within the control of the grantees.

For more information, visit Singapore Food Agency.