Deadline: 03-Aug-2026
The Open Fund Individual Research Grant (OF-IRG) supports basic, translational, and clinical research in human health and disease, including cancer, cardiovascular, neurological, infectious, and metabolic disorders. It provides up to S$1.69 million over five years (including 30% indirect costs) for eligible principal investigators based in Singapore public research institutions.
What is the Open Fund Individual Research Grant?
The Open Fund Individual Research Grant (OF-IRG) is a competitive research funding scheme designed to support high-quality scientific studies that advance understanding of human health, disease mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment.
It funds research across the full biomedical spectrum, from fundamental laboratory science to clinical applications, with the goal of improving health outcomes and medical innovation.
Key Research Areas
The OF-IRG supports a broad range of biomedical and health-related disciplines.
Basic and Translational Research
- Fundamental biological mechanisms of disease
- Translation of laboratory findings into clinical applications
- Experimental models of human disease
Clinical Research
- Patient-focused clinical studies
- Diagnosis and treatment innovation
- Clinical trials and therapeutic evaluation
Major Disease Areas
The grant prioritizes research in:
- Cancer and neoplasms
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Neurological disorders
- Mental health conditions
- Infectious diseases
- Metabolic and endocrine disorders
- Eye diseases and vision research
Human Health and Potential
- Disease prevention strategies
- Health improvement and longevity research
- Biomedical innovation for public health
Funding Details
The grant provides substantial long-term research support:
- Maximum funding: S$1.69 million per project
- Duration: Up to 5 years
- Indirect costs: Included up to 30% of total funding
- Scope: Flexible support across biomedical research stages
Who is Eligible?
Principal Investigator (PI) Requirements
Only one Principal Investigator is allowed per application.
Applicants must:
- Hold a primary appointment in a Singapore public research institution
- Be salaried by that institution
- Maintain at least 9 months of employment per year in Singapore
- Be an independent investigator with a strong research track record
Academic Qualifications
Eligible PIs typically hold:
- PhD
- MD
- MBBS
- BDS
- Or equivalent qualifications (case-by-case consideration)
Research Track Record
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Competitive national-level research funding, OR
- Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals
Application Restrictions
Applicants must note the following limitations:
- Only one application per Principal Investigator per grant call
- One PI per proposal (no co-PI structure allowed under this rule)
- Must be based in Singapore’s public research ecosystem
- Must meet institutional employment requirements
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
Scientific Merit
- Novelty and originality
- Methodological rigor
- Feasibility of research design
Relevance to Human Health
- Potential to improve diagnosis or treatment
- Contribution to understanding disease mechanisms
- Translational impact potential
National Relevance (Singapore)
- Alignment with Singapore’s biomedical research priorities
- Contribution to national health innovation ecosystem
How the Grant Works
Step 1: Proposal Submission
Researchers submit a detailed biomedical research proposal.
Step 2: Eligibility Screening
Applications are checked for institutional and PI eligibility.
Step 3: Peer Review
International-level scientific peer review evaluates:
- Research quality
- Innovation
- Clinical or translational impact
Step 4: Funding Decision
Selected projects are awarded funding for up to 5 years.
Step 5: Research Implementation
Researchers conduct studies and report progress periodically.
Why This Grant Matters
The OF-IRG plays a critical role in advancing biomedical science by:
- Supporting long-term health research innovation
- Strengthening Singapore’s biomedical ecosystem
- Bridging basic science and clinical application
- Addressing major global disease burdens
- Encouraging high-impact scientific discovery
It contributes directly to improved healthcare outcomes and medical knowledge advancement.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applications are often rejected due to:
- Weak or unclear research hypotheses
- Lack of translational or clinical relevance
- Insufficient PI research track record
- Incomplete institutional eligibility compliance
- Overambitious or non-feasible project design
- Failure to align with Singapore-based institutional requirements
Tips for Strong Applications
To improve success chances:
- Clearly define a strong biomedical research question
- Emphasize translational or clinical impact
- Demonstrate robust preliminary data
- Align with Singapore’s health research priorities
- Ensure methodological rigor and feasibility
- Highlight long-term health benefits
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can apply for the OF-IRG?
Only Principal Investigators based in Singapore public research institutions.
What is the funding amount?
Up to S$1.69 million per project over 5 years, including indirect costs.
What research areas are supported?
Basic, translational, and clinical biomedical research across multiple disease areas.
Can multiple PIs apply together?
No. Only one Principal Investigator is allowed per application.
What qualifications are required?
Typically PhD, MD, MBBS, or BDS with strong research experience.
What is the maximum project duration?
Up to five years.
What makes a strong application?
Strong scientific merit, clinical relevance, and alignment with Singapore’s biomedical priorities.
Conclusion
The Open Fund Individual Research Grant (OF-IRG) is a major biomedical funding program supporting high-impact research in human health and disease. By enabling long-term, well-funded projects across basic, translational, and clinical research, it strengthens scientific innovation and contributes to improved healthcare outcomes in Singapore and globally.
For more information, visit National Medical Research Council.