A*STAR HHP IAF - Pre-positioning Programmes (IAF-PP) Letter of Intent (LOI)

Objective

Industry Alignment Fund - Pre-positioning Programme (IAF-PP) aims to:

• To develop industry-ready capabilities towards deepening alignment of public sector research

• To develop multidisciplinary and integrated programmes with early industry involvement

• Supports new programmes, as well as existing programmes that have demonstrated strong track record of success and industry potential

• Programmes supported should be aligned with Human Health and Potential (HHP) domains’ themes and strategies*.

• • Domain’s themes are (i) Pharmbio & Biotech, (ii) Population Health, (iii) Health Services Research, (iv) Longevity, (v) Medical Technologies, (vi) Health Tech, (vii) Precision Medicine, and (viii) Learning Capacity.

  • Domain’s strategic goals are (i) Transform health system to deliver better health and healthcare outcomes (ii) Harness bio accelerators to strengthen local ecosystem (iii) Advance Human Potential to support improvements in health, productivity, and learning capacity across an individual’s life course.
    

• There are no specific minimum and maximum funding amounts for a programme under IAF-PP. Applicants are advised to budget their project sensibly based on the scope of the project.

• The Indirect cost is 30% of the Direct cost awarded. Overheads are included in computation of the Industry Research & Development Spending (IRS) gearing ratio.

• Programmes supported by IAF-PP are expected to lead to industry investments within 3-5 years.The maximum duration of IAF-PP projects should not exceed 5 years.

• Programmes requesting funding of ≥ $10M (including overheads) are required to set up a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Applicants to include list of proposed SAB members and credentials in Full Proposal.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Programme director should

• • Hold at least a 0.7 FTE primary appointment in a Singapore publicly funded research or tertiary institution;

  • Run a laboratory or research programme that carries out research in Singapore; and

  • Have a track record of leadership ability in coordinating research programmes  and providing mentorship to research team, as well as having productive research outcomes.

2. For HHP IAF-PP Proposals, the minimum projected Industry Research & Development Spending (IRS) spending (cash and/or in-kind) ratio needs to be 1 (Grant Funding): 0.4 (Industry).

Submission

1. Applicants may submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) through Host Institution's Research Office to the IAF-PP Implementing Agency IAF-PP_HBMS@hq.a-star.edu.sg throughout the year.

• • All LOI applications must be submitted together with proof of endorsement from respective Host Institution's Research Director (or equivalent) of the Lead PI. The email endorsements should take the PDF form of an email.

2. Review Process

• The grant call is open throughout the year. However, the applications will be reviewed on a quarterly basis.　 Please find the submission deadline to the HHP IAF-PP Secretariat by the submission deadline* for each quarter below:
  

• • 25 April 2025 (Friday), 1200h

  • 7 July 2025 (Monday), 1200h

  • 3 September 2025 (Wednesday), 1200h

  • 31 December 2025 (Wednesday)

Note:

• SingHealth Intellectual Property (SHIP) as the Technology Transfer Office for SingHealth cluster institutions.

• 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

Email: IAF-PP_HBMS@hq.a-star.edu.sg

Email: SHIP@singhealth.com.sg 　　

Additional Information

Please download the latest LOI template from the A*STAR’s website here. For more information on HHP IAF-PP, kindly refer to the A*STAR's website as well.