Deadline: 28-Aug-2025
The National Medical Research Council is now accepting applications for its Future Seniors Grant Program, which supports research using data from existing cohort studies. The program aims to deepen understanding of the ageing process starting from younger ages and to explore the challenges and aspirations of future seniors, enabling better-targeted policies to improve ageing outcomes across different life stages.
Key research priorities include re-defining what it means to be a ‘senior’ by analyzing physiological, cognitive, social, and lifestyle changes between future and current seniors. Researchers will also investigate shifts in health indicators like cognitive function and frailty to inform interventions tailored for future seniors. Another focus is on evolving social engagement, lifestyle behaviors, and their impact on preventive health and social support programs.
Funding for this program is capped at $5 million, including indirect costs, and supports projects lasting up to three years. Project teams must form their own partnerships without restrictions on the number of institutions or collaborators involved. Applicants must secure approval and participant consent for access to cohort data.
Principal Investigators can submit one application as lead but may participate in other teams. Eligible PIs must hold a primary appointment at a local publicly funded institution, have relevant advanced degrees, a strong research track record, and a research program in Singapore. They must be employed locally for at least nine months annually and commit to at least six months of residency per year during the grant period. For projects involving patients, relevant medical council registration or collaboration is required.
Applications will undergo a rigorous review by an international and local panel, with the process taking approximately five to six months after submission. Evaluation criteria include scientific merit, potential impact, outcomes, and project feasibility.
For more information, visit Government of Singapore.
