NRF - Competitive Research Programme (CRP) Grant Call

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Background

The National Research Foundation (NRF) Competitive Research Programme (CRP) Funding Scheme seeks to foster the formation of multi-disciplinary teams in Singapore to conduct cutting-edge research of relevance to Singapore. This allows a coordinated, integrated and sustained way of bringing together complementary research groups in Singapore to conduct high-impact research.

The CRP scheme funds use-inspired basic research^1,2 in all areas of science and technology that demonstrates scientific rigour, novelty and ambition beyond the current state-of-the-art. Research ideas at the intersection of multiple disciplines are encouraged, as are proposals that present clear pathways to future applications with transformative or disruptive impact potential. The proposed research should be motivated by an important need or problem to be solved, rather than being solely curiosity-driven, and should clearly articulate how it will advance knowledge whilst creating opportunities for meaningful real-world applications.

¹In this context, ‘use-inspired’ is defined as research that is (i) inspired principally by the quest to advance fundamental scientific knowledge and understanding; and (ii) motivated by an unmet need or the desire to address a practical problem, gap in capability or application. The research need not necessarily lead to immediate translation or commercialisation within the duration of the requested funding.

²The CRP scheme is not intended for: (i) epidemiological and behavioural studies; (ii) observational studies (including cohort, longitudinal, case-control studies, etc.); (iii) clinical and drug trials; (iv) health services research/operations research; (v) infrastructure/facilities set-up; and (vi) market/drugs/product development. Such elements can be incorporated in CRP proposals to support the basic science research but should not form the sole or main objectives of the proposal.

Funding Details

The CRP scheme offers funding support for projects of varying sizes, up to a limit of S$10M per proposal (including indirect costs), between a period of 3 to 5 years

Eligibility Criteria

Lead PI and Team PI(s) must fulfil the following requirements at the point of application and throughout the project duration:

1. Hold a primary and/or joint appointment(s) at eligible institution(s)/organisations(s)*, with a minimum time commitment of 9 months (per calendar year) in Singapore; and

2. Be an accomplished PI with a track record of leadership ability in coordinating research programme(s) and providing mentorship to research teams(s), as well as having productive research outcomes
3. Be salaried by their affiliated institution(s).

*Eligible institutions/organisations include public Institute of Higher Learning (IHL), public healthcare institutions, A*STAR Research Institute, CREATE research entities, or research institutes affiliated with the Autonomous Universities (AUs)/A*STAR.

To note:

• Lead PIs who currently hold an active CRP grant are only eligible to submit a new CRP proposal after their existing CRP grant has completed its Mid-Term Review and received a satisfactory assessment from NRF.

• Resubmission is allowed only once, except if the applicants are invited to resubmit by the CRP Evaluation Panel. Resubmissions with minimal or no revisions will be rejected without review.

• Private sector and other entities can participate as collaborators.

Submission

1. Applicants must apply via the Research Grants Portal (RGP). Applicants must complete the online RGP application form and submit both the Stage 1 (Video + Annex) and Stage 2 (Full Proposal) (please use the templates in Attachments 1 and 2). For more information on the submission documents, please refer to section 5 of the attached ‘CRP Grant Call Information Sheet’ PDF file.

• Both documents are to be submitted together to facilitate a shorter review cycle.
  • Stage 1 Shortlisting will only be based on the Video + Annex.
  • Full proposals of the shortlisted applications will be directly sent out for the Stage 2 Review.
  • Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview with the CRP Evaluation Panel.

• All applications must be submitted by Lead PI and endorsed by Host Institution (HI)’s Director of Research (DOR) via RGP by 27 April 2026 (Monday), 4pm. 

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

2. Lead PIs and Team PIs must be registered RGP account holders to submit the application. An authorised ORCID ID is required for the RGP User Profile Page. Please refer to attached ‘CRP Grant Call Information Sheet’ PDF file and/or RGP Resources for help.

Evaluation Criteria

Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Stage 1 (Video + Annex): (i) Research Excellence and Vision³; (ii) Impact and Innovation Potential⁴; (iii) Technical Competencies and Team Composition.
2. Stage 2 (Full Proposal): Same as Stage 1 and (iv) Project Management and Implementation.
3. Time commitment:
   • Lead PI and Team PI(s) are expected to commit at least 20% and 10% of their total time commitment to the project, respectively. The time commitment of each team member dedicated to the project will be assessed as part of the evaluation criteria.
4. The following will be rejected without review:
   • Duplicates of proposal submitted to any other public funding agencies
   • Late submission or endorsement on RGP
   • Resubmitted Application for Stage 1 with minimal or no revision
   • Proposal not within scope of CRP (Appendix D of ‘CRP Grant Call Information Sheet’ attached ’PDF file)
   • Ineligibility of Lead PI and/or Team PIs
   • Single investigator-led proposals

³Research Excellence and Vision encompasses scientific rigour, novelty and ambition beyond the current state-of-the-art and muti-disciplinarity of research.

⁴Impact and Innovation Potential refers to the pathway to future applications and transformative/disruptive impacts.

Contact person

1. For enquiries on CRP, please contact the CRP secretari at NRF_CRP@nrf.gov.sg. 

2. For enquiries related to RGP, please refer to the RGP Helpdesk or your Host Institution admins (institution research offices) for enquiries on registered RGP account.
   
3. For enquiries related to ORCID, please refer to ORCID website.

Additional Information

Please refer to the NRF's website or the following attachments for more information.

1.  CRP Grant Call Information Sheet
2.  Attachment 1 - Stage 1 Annex Template
3.  Attachment 2 - CRP Full Proposal Template