Deadline: 03-Aug-2026
The Open Fund – Young Individual Research Grant supports early-career researchers in obtaining their first independent national-level research funding for projects focused on improving human health. The grant supports basic, translational, and clinical research that addresses disease causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and health outcomes.
This funding opportunity is designed to help young investigators establish independent research careers while contributing to important healthcare challenges through innovative and impactful research projects.
What Is the Open Fund – Young Individual Research Grant?
The Open Fund – Young Individual Research Grant is a competitive research funding program that provides financial support to young investigators conducting human health-related research.
The grant encourages researchers to develop independent research programs and investigate important medical and scientific questions across multiple areas, including:
- Disease mechanisms and causes
- Development of new diagnostic approaches
- Treatment strategies and therapeutic innovations
- Prevention and management of health conditions
- Translational research that connects laboratory discoveries with clinical applications
- Clinical studies that improve patient outcomes
The program supports research projects that align with national healthcare priorities and address significant health challenges.
Research Areas Supported Under the Grant
The grant supports research related to major human health priority areas, including:
- Cancers and neoplasms
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Eye diseases
- Infectious diseases
- Mental health disorders
- Metabolic and endocrine diseases
- Neurological diseases
- Research addressing multi-morbidity and complex health conditions
Applicants may propose basic science, translational research, or clinical research projects as long as the work contributes to improving understanding, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of human diseases.
Why It Matters
The grant plays an important role in strengthening the research ecosystem by supporting emerging investigators at the beginning of their independent careers.
Key benefits include:
- Provides early-career researchers with access to national-level competitive research funding
- Helps investigators build independent research programs
- Encourages innovative approaches to solving healthcare challenges
- Supports research that can improve disease understanding and patient care
- Develops future leaders in biomedical and health research
By supporting young researchers, the program contributes to long-term scientific advancement and healthcare innovation.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must meet specific requirements related to career stage, employment status, qualifications, and previous research funding experience.
Eligibility requirements include:
- The applicant must apply as the sole Principal Investigator (PI).
- Each applicant can submit only one application under this grant type in each grant call.
- The Principal Investigator must hold a primary appointment at a local public institution.
- The applicant must be salaried by a local public institution from the time the grant is awarded.
- The applicant must complete at least nine months of employment per calendar year with local public institution(s).
Academic and professional qualifications:
- Applicants should hold one of the following qualifications:
- PhD
- MD/MBBS
- BDS
- Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Career eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must have completed their PhD within the previous seven years.
- Applicants with MBBS, MD, or BDS qualifications must have completed their degree within the previous ten years.
- The later completion date will be considered when determining eligibility.
Previous funding restrictions:
- Applicants must not have previously received more than S$500,000 in external competitive research funding as Principal Investigator for their own research project.
Role of the Mentor
Young investigators are required to work with a research mentor during the grant period.
The mentor provides:
- Research guidance and scientific advice
- Support in developing research skills
- Assistance in navigating challenges during the project
However, the funded research project must remain the applicant’s own independent research work. The applicant remains responsible for the project direction, execution, and outcomes.
Funding Amount and Duration
The grant provides funding support for eligible research projects involving human health.
Funding details:
- Maximum funding amount: Up to S$338,000
- Funding duration: Up to three years
- Indirect costs: Up to 30% included within the total grant amount
- Research scholarship budgets are excluded from indirect cost calculations
The funding can support research activities required to successfully complete the proposed project according to approved guidelines.
How to Apply
Applicants should follow the required application process to submit their research proposal for evaluation.
Steps to apply:
- Develop a research proposal
- Define the research question clearly.
- Explain the importance of the study.
- Describe the methodology, objectives, and expected outcomes.
- Confirm eligibility
- Ensure that qualification, employment, career stage, and funding requirements are satisfied.
- Confirm eligibility before preparing the final application.
- Identify a suitable mentor
- Select a mentor who can provide appropriate scientific guidance.
- Ensure the mentor’s expertise aligns with the proposed research area.
- Prepare application documents
- Provide details about the research plan.
- Include information about previous research achievements.
- Demonstrate the potential impact of the proposed project.
- Submit the application
- Submit the completed application according to the grant call requirements and deadlines.
How Applications Are Evaluated
Applications are reviewed based on multiple criteria to determine scientific quality, feasibility, and potential impact.
Evaluation factors include:
- Scientific excellence of the proposed research
- Quality and originality of the research idea
- Feasibility of conducting the study in the local context
- Applicant’s research productivity and achievements
- Expected impact on healthcare and research development
- Applicant’s ability to become an independent investigator
- Suitability of the applicant to serve as Principal Investigator
Common Mistakes and Tips for Applicants
Applicants can improve their chances of success by avoiding common application issues.
Common mistakes:
- Submitting a research idea that lacks clear objectives
- Failing to demonstrate the importance of the research problem
- Proposing a project that is too broad for the available timeframe
- Not explaining how the research will benefit human health
- Choosing a mentor without relevant expertise
- Ignoring eligibility requirements before submission
Tips for a stronger application:
- Clearly define the research question and expected outcomes.
- Highlight the innovation and significance of the project.
- Provide a realistic timeline and research plan.
- Demonstrate previous research experience and capability.
- Explain how the project can create meaningful impact in the local healthcare context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Open Fund – Young Individual Research Grant?
The grant supports young investigators in obtaining their first independent national-level research funding for human health-related research projects. It aims to develop independent researchers and promote healthcare innovation.
Who can apply for this grant?
Researchers who hold a PhD, MD/MBBS, or BDS qualification and meet employment, career stage, and funding history requirements can apply. Applicants must be based at eligible local public institutions.
Can applicants submit more than one application?
No. Applicants may submit only one application under this grant type during each grant call.
Can the research project be supervised by a mentor?
Yes. Young investigators must work with a mentor who provides research guidance. However, the project must remain the applicant’s independent research project.
How much funding is available under the grant?
The grant provides funding of up to S$338,000, including up to 30% indirect costs. Projects can receive funding for a maximum duration of three years.
What types of research projects are supported?
The grant supports basic, translational, and clinical research related to human health, including research on diseases, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
How are grant applications assessed?
Applications are evaluated based on scientific excellence, feasibility, research impact, applicant productivity, and the applicant’s ability to develop as an independent investigator.
Conclusion
The Open Fund – Young Individual Research Grant provides valuable support for emerging researchers who aim to establish independent research careers in human health. By funding innovative and impactful projects across major disease areas, the program helps advance scientific discovery, improve healthcare outcomes, and strengthen future research capabilities. Applicants should carefully review eligibility requirements, develop a focused research proposal, and demonstrate the potential impact of their work to create a competitive application.
For more information, visit NMRC.
