Research Opportunities

• DIRP
• MINDEF - NTU

Opportunities for Interdisciplinary Research Development in Defence Science and Technology

To seek and fund innovative research with the potential to create significant value to the defence and security of Singapore. Hence, the Research areas will cover science and technology of relevance to defence and security. Examples of the areas of interest can be found on www.dsta.gov.sg under the heading of technology collaboration.

The Defence Innovative Research Programme Award is open to all staff and researchers from NUS/NTU with no restrictions on the nationality of the applicant. However, researchers of Temasek Labs at NUS & NTU are not eligible to apply.

Collaborative research with foreign research institutions are encouraged and supported. However, there must be substantial research conducted by the Applicant in Singapore.

All terms and conditions governing the award will be in accordance with the Master Agreement signed between NUS and DSTA dated 7 Feb 2001 or between NTU and DSTA dated 26 June 2007, whichever is applicable.

Award holders are expected to submit a report, to the relevant DSTA/DRTech Programme Manager every 6 months upon commencement of the project. A mid -term review will be conducted to determine the continuation of support. Award holders will also be required to provide a final report at the end of the project, giving details of the research outcomes, comparisons of these against the initial objectives as well as details on how the approved funding was utilised.

Award is based on the merits of the applicant′s research and its potential impact on the defence and security of Singapore with an emphasis on innovative ideas.

The maximum award and duration for each project is $600,000 and 4 years, respectively. Payment will be made in 2 stages. For the first stage, a maximum sum of $200,000 will be paid over the first 2 years. For the second stage - upon completion of a mid-term review and decision to support continuation of the project, the remaining project value ($400,000 maximum) will be awarded for a further period of 2 years for the completion of the project. The Award may be used to fund research manpower, consumables, equipment, and travel expenses related to the project. Any funds that remained unspent at the end of the Award must be returned to DSTA.

Solicitations for proposals will be announced once every year

Prospective candidates are encouraged to discuss their proposals with the relevant DSTA/DRTech programme managers before submission of the preliminary proposals. The list of DSTA/DRTech Programme Managers and their relevant research areas of interest are available on www.dsta.gov.sg under the heading of technology collaboration.

Applicants are then required to submit a preliminary proposal in the format provided to the relevant Programme Manager. A soft copy of the preliminary proposal is to be copied to the Secretary of the MINDEF/DSTA - NUS/NTU Joint Collaborative Programmes and the relevant NUS or NTU contacts as specified below.

If the Programme Manager sees potential in the project based on the preliminary proposal, the Applicant will be advised to prepare the complete proposal, in the format provided. The completed full proposal is to be submitted through the Division of Research Administration, Office of the Deputy President (Research & Technology), NUS or Research Support Office, NTU, as applicable, with a soft copy to the Secretary of the MINDEF-NUS/NTU Joint Collaborative Programmes. The full proposal should expand upon the preliminary proposal providing more details and references where applicable.

Applications will be considered by a DSTA/DRTech panel. The panel′s decision is final and no appeal will be entertained. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

The schedule & deadlines for the FY 2009 awards are as follows: