Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Initiative (NATi) Call for Proposals

Background

The Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Initiative (NATi) is a National Platform with the mission to build Singapore up as the regional hub and model of excellence for research and clinical translation, and commercialisation of nucleic acid therapeutics (NAT) with epidemic preparedness and resilience. Specifically, NATi focus on the following modalities: antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), small interfering RNA (siRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA).

THREE SERIES OF CALLS FOR PROPOSALS

The N Series aims to address challenges in the design, delivery, and production of RNA drugs. Each Call for Proposals under the N Series has its own unique set of problem statement(s) to guide project deliverables. All deliverables should be met unless otherwise stated.

The A Series aims to support RNA drug development for defined therapeutic indications. All Calls for Proposals under the A series have specific entry criteria and would require a target product profile.

The T Series aims to leverage emerging opportunities and industry problem statements that have not been captured under the N and A Series. Interested parties are encouraged to contact NATi Coordinating Office for more details (please see contact below).

Note: There are two active Calls for Proposals – T01 and T02. Please ensure that your submission matches the intended Call for Proposals.

RNA: ribonucleic acid; mRNA: messenger RNA; siRNA: small interfering RNA; ASO: antisense oligonucleotide

For more details of the call, please refer to the information deck in the zipped file (as attached) for the respective proposals or visit A*STAR NATi's website here.

Funding Details

• Realistic quantum and duration corresponding to scope of work.

• Please find the maximum quantum for funding and maximum duration in the table below for the respective calls.

Eligibility Criteria

The Lead Investigator and Co-Investigators as defined in Grant Terms and Conditions should:

• Hold a primary appointment in a Singapore publicly funded research institution (such as SingHealth cluster institutions) or an Institute of Higher Learning (IHL). The Lead Investigator must hold a primary appointment of at least 0.7 full-time equivalent (FTE) in Singapore.

• Lead a laboratory or research programme which carries out research in Singapore.

• Possess track record of leadership ability in coordinating research programmes and providing mentorship to research teams as well as having productive research outcomes. A track record in securing industry R&D spending (IRS) will be advantageous.

Exceptions to the above eligibility criteria will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please submit a request to the NATi Coordinating Office at enquiry@nati.sg at least 7 days before the closing date of the call for proposals.

Note:

• Collaborators are not eligible to receive NATi funding. "Collaborator" means any company, institution, incorporated body or other industry or academic collaborator, which is not an Institution or an Investigator but is to be engaged in the Research in collaboration with the Institutions or any of them.

• Companies can participate in NATi projects only as collaborators.

Submission

1. Interested applicants are to submit the following completed documents (i.e. proposal form and budget form) using the templates (as attached) through your Host Institution's Research Office to the NATi Coordinating Office at enquiry@nati.sg  by 30 September 2025 (Tuesday), 12PM respectively.

2. Application must be endorsed by the Host Institution's Research Director in the form of email prior to submission. It is mandatory to append email(s) documenting endorsement from Lead PI's Host Institution in the submission. This is to ensure that there is organisational support for the PI to participate in the grant call

Note:

• Submissions should clearly state milestones and deliverables. Industry collaborations are strongly encouraged to demonstrate research alignment with industry needs. Applicants shall comply with grant terms and conditions, including prevailing regulations. All researchers and research institutions shall follow and apply the National IP Protocol principles and framework.

SingHealth PIs are to please refer to your respective Institutional Research Administrators for guidance on internal deadlines and submission procedures set by your institutions.

Contact Person

If you require further clarification, please send your queries to enquiry@nati.sg. Please allow up to 3 – 5 working days for NATi Coordinating Office to respond.

Additional Information

For more details of the call, please visit A*STAR NATi's website here and the following attachments for more information.

T01 Template.zip

T02 Template.zip

3-nati-t-series-info-deck.pdf

4-frequently-asked-questions.pdf

grant-guidelines.pdf

grant-terms-and-conditions.pdf