A*STAR IAF - Industry Collaboration Projects (IAF-ICP)

Objective

IAF-ICP aims to foster industry-relevant public sector R&D efforts and encourage public research performers to collaborate with industry, with a line of sight to potential economic outcome. This grant is different from typical academic grants, as proposals will be assessed primarily on their potential economic impact and relevance to building up Singapore's R&D ecosystem:

• Potential to generate product or process innovations to the industry player(s) involved (i.e. improved processes or products);

• Potential to generate higher economic or R&D activity for industry player(s) involved (e.g. through creation of R&D jobs, increased market share, reduced costs, and improved productivity);

• Potential to deepen tech-or-people capabilities in locally based companies (e.g. through upskilling, enhanced training, and development of new IPs);

• Ability to uplift the ecosystem (e.g. by fostering collaborations with other locally based enterprises such as suppliers);
  

• Level of the industry partner's commitment to research and innovation in Singapore; and

• Other relevant factors.
  

IAF-ICP is governed by a Strategic Oversight Committee (SOC) comprising CEO A*STAR, MD EDB, MD EnterpriseSG and CEO NRF. The SOC makes decisions on all IAF-ICP policies and project approvals. Public research performers considering applying for IAF-ICP funding may seek guidance in preparing their proposals from the SOC agencies (please find BMSIPO’s contact below).

Funding Details

• There is no minimum IAF-ICP funding budget for a given proposal submission.

• Realistic quantum and duration corresponding to scope of work.

• • Applicants should note that proposals seeking more than $25M will generally require a longer time from submission to issuance of LOA, as there will be additional evaluation stages.
    

  • Corp Lab / Corporate Lab branding is only applicable for proposals requesting grant funding ≥$15M and commit to additional Key Performance Indicators and Tracking Indicators.
    

• The duration of IAF-ICP projects should not exceed 36 months, although exception may be made for Corporate Laboratories (up to 60 months) on a case-by-case basis.
  

Eligibility Criteria

1. Lead PI, Team PI and Co-Is are eligible to apply if they hold a primary appointment in a Public Research Institution. PI's experience and track record will be assessed when the proposal is evaluated.

2. IAF-ICP is open to all Public Research Institutions in Singapore.

3. Tangible upfront commitments from industry partners:
   

• Min. leverage ratio of 1:1.5 (ICP funding : IRS)

• To encourage participation from SMEs and start-ups in IAF-ICP and to contribute to their market competitiveness and increasing disposition to leverage R&D for product differentiation, a pilot trial was initiated in 2022 to apply a minimum ICP funding to IRS leverage rario of 1:1 for proposals that involve only Singapore-based SMEs and start-ups. This pilot trial has been extended and will continue until 31 March 2026. If there is intention to partner local SME and/or start-ups, SingHealth PIs are encouraged to reach out to Enterprise Singapore, Mr Rueben Sng (EnterpriseSG) rueben_sng@enterprisesg.gov.sg prior to submitting Full Proposal via IAF-ICP@enterprisesg.gov.sg.
  

Note:

• • Companies are not eligible, nor will they be considered as co-applicants.
  • All applications are to be submitted by Institutions - applications submitted directly by individual researchers will not be accepted.

Submission

1. Interested applicants please submit a Full Proposal, Budget and Submission Checklist (see attached documents within the zipped file) provided by IAF-ICP Implementing Agency to your Host Institution's Research Office.

2. Endorsements of the following are required for PI & Co-I (if any):

• Host Institution's Research Director (or equivalent)

• Innovation & Enterprise Office (IEO)

1. SingHealth Cluster institutions - SingHealth Intellectual Property Office (SHIP)

2. Non SingHealth Cluster institutions (e.g. Co-I is from NUHS) - respective institution's IEO

3. Host Institution's Research Office of PI is to submit Full proposal and Budget to IAF-ICP IA at IAF_ICP@hq.a-star.edu.sg.

4. Applicants are requested to approach A*STAR or Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) to seek their inputs and guidance on whether the economic angle of the proposal is of interest to them. A*STAR has been delegated to be the first line of support e.g. in negotiating with companies or prepping the Full Proposal. They will also work closely with Singapore Biomedical Sciences Industry Partnership Office (BMSIPO) and EDB where necessary, e.g. to engage and assess industry partners. Applicants may also wish to seek guidance in preparing their proposals from Seck Yee Kwang (seck_yee_kwang@hq.a-star.edu.sg) from BMSIPO. 
   

Note:

• Please complete and submit (1) Full Proposal and Submission Checklist in editable Word format and (2) Budget in editable Excel format.
  
• Please note that applications for IAF-ICP should be submitted by 30 June 2025 to be in time for award within RIE2025. 
• While applications can still be submitted after 30 June 2025 (31 March 2025), these applications might not be evaluated and awarded in time by the end of RIE2025 and the applications may need to be re-submitted in RIE2030 based on the new funding guidelines will not be accepted for consideration for award under RIE2025, and will need to be re-submitted in RIE2030 after 1 April 2026. Please note that all projects funded under RIE2025 must be awarded and accepted by the awardees by 31 March 2026. 
  

Contact Person

1. IAF-ICP Implementing agency
   Email: IAF_ICP@hq.a-star.edu.sg

2. EnterpriseSG 
   

• • Email: IAF-ICP@enterprisesg.gov.sg
    

• OR
  

• • Name: Mr Rueben Sng
    

  • Email: rueben_sng@enterprisesg.gov.sg
    

3. BMSIPO
   Name: Seck Yee Kwang
   Email: seck_yee_kwang@hq.a-star.edu.sg

Additional Information

Please download the proposal, budget template, and Submission Checklist from zipped file found in the website here.