NMRC Open Fund Large Collaborative Grant (OF-LCG)

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Objective

The Open Fund – Large Collaborative Grant (OF-LCG) aims to bring together the best teams from public institutions to enhance human health and wellness, as well as create economic value for Singapore and Singaporeans, through the pursuit of excellence in research and its applications. The purpose of the OF-LCG scheme is to support patient-centric translational¹ research, underpinned by basic² and/or applied research³. The scheme will not support pure basic science, pure clinical or pure applied research. RIE2030 OF-LCG Grant Call ScheduleNMRC has informed that this is the first OF-LCG grant call planned under the RIE2030 and will be opened for applications once a year, from 2026 to 2029.

The following categorisation of research activity is based on UK Health Research Classification System (HRCS):

• ¹Translational Research: Prevention, Detection and Diagnosis, Treatment Development and Treatment Evaluation   
• ²Basic Research: Underpinning and Aetiologyo  
• ³Applied Research: Disease Management and Health Services

Funding Details

• Tier 1: Funding quantum of up to $10M per project (inclusive of 30% indirect costs) up to 5 years

• Tier 2: Funding quantum of up to $25M per project (inclusive of 30% indirect costs) up to 5 years

Note: Applications for third renewals (i.e., fourth funding cycle) and beyond will be capped at $10 million (Tier 1 funding).

Definitions

Overview: The research programme should comprise no more than 5 research themes, each led by one or more Theme Principal Investigators (PIs). All the Theme PIs should form the Leadership Team, and one of the Theme PIs should be nominated as the Corresponding PI.

Leadership Team: Comprises all Theme PIs. The leadership team share the responsibility in making the OF-LCG programme a success and is essential for implementing programme strategies and achieving desired outcomes.

Corresponding PI: The Theme PI who will coordinate the OF-LCG programme, serve as the main point of contact between NMRC and the OF-LCG Leadership Team, and is accountable to NMRC for the proper conduct of the whole programme. He/ She will work closely with the Theme PIs to resolve any issues which arise during the course of the programme, including the usage of funding, any variations to the scope of the programme etc. Limited to only 1 Corresponding PI per leadership team.

Theme PI: Theme PIs have the responsibility to direct each specific research theme being supported by the grant, and accountable for the proper conduct of the specific research theme. There is no limit on the no. of Theme PIs per theme but a cap of 5 themes applies. An individual can be a Theme PI for multiple themes.

Eligibility Criteria

Only one Corresponding PI is allowed per application. There is no cap placed on the number of Theme PIs per theme. An individual can be a theme PI for more than one theme. However, a cap of five research themes applies per application.

The Corresponding PI and Theme PIs are required to fulfil the following criteria at the point of application:

1. Holds a primary appointment in a local public institution and salaried by the institution.
2. Should have PhD or MD/MBBS/BDS qualifications (exceptions would be made on a case-by-case basis).
3. Is an independent investigator with a demonstrated track record of research, as evidenced by the award of nationally competitive funding (international funding to be considered on a case by case basis) or substantial publication record.
4. Holds a minimum of 9 months employment (per calendar year) with local public institution(s).

Submission

1. Interested applicants (i.e. Corresponding PIs) please submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) (see attached document within the zipped file) to your Host Institution’s Research Office. 
2. Each LOI application must be submitted by the Corresponding PI’s Host Institution to NMRC Office (kahyim.peh@mohh.com.sg) via email by 12 August 2026 (Wednesday), 5pm.

Note: 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

Ms Peh Kah Yim

Email: kahyim.peh@mohh.com.sg

Additional Information

• For more information for OF-LCG, please refer to the NMRC’s website here.
• Please download the Application package.