Government Grants for Clinical Research
National Medical Research Council (NMRC)
The NMRC was established in 1994 to oversee research funding from the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) and support the development and advancement of biomedical research in Singapore, particularly in the public healthcare clusters and medical schools. NMRC engages in research strategy and planning, provides funding to support competitive research grants and core research enablers, and is responsible for the development of clinician scientists through awards and fellowships. The council’s work is supported by the NMRC Office which is part of MOH Holdings Pte Ltd. Through its management of the various funding initiatives, NMRC promotes healthcare research in Singapore, for better health and economic outcomes.
One of the NMRC grant schemes which support clinicians to carry out clinical trials for the development of novel therapies, interventions and diagnostics, focusing on healthcare needs, is the NMRC Clinical Trial Grant (CTG)
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CTG-Industry Collaborative Trials (CTG-ICT) scheme
- Funding is up to 30% of the Total Projects Costs inclusive of 30% indirect costs. Capped at $4.94M per project and for a duration of up to 5 years.
- Pre-requisite to obtain industry contribution of at least 70% (cash or in-kind) of the Total Project Costs
- Open for application throughout the year
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CTG-Investigator Initiated Trials (CTG-IIT) scheme
- Funding is capped at $1.625M per project inclusive of 30% indirect costs for up to 5 years.
- 2 grant calls each year.
For more information about other research funding available, please refer to NMRC Grants.
National Health Innovation Centre Singapore (NHIC)
The National Health Innovation Centre Singapore (NHIC) is a nationally appointed programme office that works with Public Health Institutions across Singapore to identify and commercialise promising clinical innovations. NHIC funds the translation and development of medical innovations towards a market-ready product, and provides strategic guidance and connection to industry partners, accelerating the pathway to impact in healthcare.
For more information about the funding schemes, please refer to NHIC funding.
- Innovation to Protect (I2P)
- Joint MedTech Grants
- Innovation to Develop (I2D)
- Innovation to Industry (I2Industry)
- Innovation to Startup (I2Start)
- Innovation to Adopt (I2Adopt)
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
A*STAR is Singapore’s lead public sector agency that spearheads economic-oriented research to advance scientific discovery and develop innovative technology. At A*STAR, the biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research institutes drive impactful research making advancements in basic science, to patented inventions, and ready-to-use technologies. The facilities are centred around Biopolis and Fusionopolis, the adjacent twin research campuses that focus on biomedical and physical & engineering sciences.
One of the grant schemes which aims to boost the quality and quantity of drug development and biotech pipelines in Singapore would be Singapore Therapeutics Development Review (STDR):
- In partnership with our strategic partners, the Experimental Drug Development Centre (EDDC), Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) and National Health Innovation Centre (NHIC)
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2 grant calls each year, typically in Q1 and Q3.
- - Phase 1 funding up to $330k per project inclusive of 30% indirect for up to 1 year
- - Phase 2 funding up to $500k per project inclusive of 30% indirect for up to 1 year