Call for Applications: Young Individual Research Grant (Singapore)

The Open Fund – Young Individual Research Grant (OF-YIRG) supports early-career researchers in securing their first independent national-level research grant for projects that advance human health. The grant provides up to S$338,000 over three years to help new investigators establish independent research careers in basic, translational, and clinical health research.

Open Fund – Young Individual Research Grant (OF-YIRG)

The Open Fund – Young Individual Research Grant (OF-YIRG) is designed to help emerging researchers launch their independent research careers by providing funding for high-quality projects that address important human health challenges. The programme serves as a stepping stone toward larger national research grants while strengthening the next generation of health researchers.

The grant supports investigator-led research that contributes to improving disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and overall health outcomes.

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to:

Support new investigators in securing their first independent national-level research grant.
Promote high-quality research relevant to human health.
Strengthen early-career research leadership.
Advance basic, translational, and clinical research.
Encourage innovative approaches to understanding and treating diseases.
Build national research capacity in priority healthcare areas.
Prepare researchers for future large-scale competitive funding opportunities.

Research Areas Supported

The grant supports research relevant to human health, including:

Basic biomedical research.
Translational research.
Clinical research.
Disease prevention.
Disease diagnosis.
Disease treatment.
Studies on the causes and consequences of human diseases.

Priority research areas include:

Cancers and neoplasms.
Cardiovascular diseases.
Eye diseases.
Infectious diseases.
Mental health disorders.
Metabolic diseases.
Endocrine disorders.
Neurological diseases.
Multi-morbidity research.

Funding Available

Successful applicants may receive:

Up to S$338,000 per project.
Funding for projects lasting up to three years.
Budget inclusive of up to 30% indirect costs.
Indirect costs are not applicable to the research scholarship budget.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must:

Apply as the sole Principal Investigator (PI).
Submit only one application under this grant type during each grant call.
Hold a primary appointment at a local public institution.
Be salaried by a local public institution from the time the grant is awarded.
Maintain at least nine months of employment per calendar year with local public institution(s).
Hold a PhD, MD, MBBS, BDS, or an equivalent qualification (exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis).

Applicants must also meet the following career-stage requirements:

Have completed a PhD within the past seven years, or
Have completed an MBBS, MD, or BDS within the past ten years, whichever date is later.

In addition, applicants:

Must not have previously received external competitive funding exceeding S$500,000 in direct costs as the Principal Investigator for their own research project.
Must work with an experienced mentor who provides guidance while ensuring the project remains the applicant’s independent research.

Mentorship Requirement

A mentor is required to support the applicant throughout the project.

The mentor will:

Provide scientific and career guidance.
Support research development.
Help strengthen research capacity.
Advise on project implementation.

However, the research project must remain the independent work of the young investigator, with the applicant serving as the Principal Investigator.

Application Requirements

Applicants should prepare:

A detailed research proposal.
Scientific objectives and methodology.
Project timeline.
Budget justification.
Information about the Principal Investigator.
Mentor details.
Supporting institutional documentation.
Any additional documents required under the funding call.

Selection Criteria

Applications are assessed on:

Scientific excellence.
Innovation and originality.
Feasibility within the local research environment.
Research productivity.
Expected impact on human health.
Applicant’s capability to function as an independent Principal Investigator.
Overall research quality and significance.

How to Apply

Follow these steps before submitting your application:

Confirm that you meet all eligibility requirements.
Identify a qualified mentor.
Develop an independent research proposal aligned with programme objectives.
Prepare a realistic project budget and timeline.
Obtain institutional approvals where required.
Complete the official application forms.
Submit all required supporting documents before the application deadline.

Why This Grant Matters

Many early-career researchers face challenges in securing their first independent research grant. The Open Fund – Young Individual Research Grant addresses this gap by providing dedicated funding and mentorship to help promising investigators establish independent research careers.

The programme contributes to:

Building future research leaders.
Advancing medical discoveries.
Strengthening national research capacity.
Improving healthcare outcomes.
Encouraging innovative health research.
Supporting long-term scientific excellence.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

To improve your chances of success:

Ensure your proposal demonstrates clear scientific innovation.
Present a feasible research plan with realistic milestones.
Clearly explain the significance of the research.
Show how the project addresses an important human health challenge.
Include a well-justified budget.
Clearly define the mentor’s role while maintaining research independence.
Verify that all eligibility requirements are satisfied before submission.
Submit a complete application with all required documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Open Fund – Young Individual Research Grant?

It is a funding programme that helps early-career researchers secure their first independent national-level research grant for projects relevant to human health.

How much funding is available?

Applicants may receive up to S$338,000 per project for research lasting up to three years.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants are early-career researchers holding a primary appointment at a local public institution who meet the academic qualification, career-stage, and funding history requirements.

Is mentorship required?

Yes. Every applicant must work with a mentor who provides guidance while ensuring the research project remains the applicant’s independent work.

What research areas are supported?

The programme supports basic, translational, and clinical research related to human health, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, neurological disorders, mental health, metabolic diseases, endocrine diseases, eye diseases, and multi-morbidity.

Can applicants who have previously received major research funding apply?

No. Applicants must not have previously received external competitive funding exceeding S$500,000 in direct costs as the Principal Investigator for their own independent research project.

How are applications evaluated?

Applications are assessed based on scientific excellence, innovation, feasibility, productivity, expected health impact, and the applicant’s ability to lead an independent research programme.

Conclusion

The Open Fund – Young Individual Research Grant (OF-YIRG) provides an important opportunity for early-career researchers to establish themselves as independent investigators through competitive funding, mentorship, and high-quality health research. By supporting innovative projects across a wide range of medical disciplines, the programme strengthens future research leadership while contributing to scientific discoveries that improve human health and healthcare outcomes.