Open Fund – Large Collaborative Grant (Singapore)

Deadline: 12-Aug-2026

The National Medical Research Council (NMRC) Open Fund – Large Collaborative Grant (OF-LCG) supports large-scale, patient-centric translational research programmes that improve human health and generate economic value. Grants of up to S$25 million are available for collaborative research programmes involving multiple public institutions and interdisciplinary research teams for projects lasting up to five years.

About the NMRC Open Fund – Large Collaborative Grant

The Open Fund – Large Collaborative Grant (OF-LCG) is a flagship funding programme by the National Medical Research Council (NMRC) that supports ambitious, collaborative translational research programmes addressing major health challenges.

The programme promotes patient-centric research that bridges basic discoveries and clinical applications to improve healthcare outcomes while creating economic and societal value. It encourages collaboration among researchers from multiple public institutions and supports multidisciplinary approaches that accelerate healthcare innovation.

Unlike grants focused solely on laboratory research or clinical studies, the OF-LCG emphasizes translational research, where scientific discoveries are transformed into practical healthcare solutions that benefit patients.

Funding Amount

The programme offers two funding tiers:

• Tier 1: Up to S$10 million
• Tier 2: Up to S$25 million

Additional funding information includes:

• Funding includes indirect costs.
• Indirect costs are supported at 30% of qualifying direct project costs.
• Project duration: Up to 5 years.

Programme Objectives

The grant aims to:

• Advance patient-centric translational research.
• Improve human health and wellness.
• Generate economic and societal value.
• Encourage interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Strengthen collaboration across Singapore’s public research institutions.
• Support innovative healthcare solutions.
• Build sustainable national research capabilities.
• Accelerate translation of research into clinical practice.

Priority Research Areas

Applications are encouraged in areas including:

• Cancer and neoplasms.
• Cardiovascular diseases.
• Eye diseases.
• Infectious diseases.
• Mental health.
• Metabolic and endocrine disorders.
• Neurological conditions.
• Multi-morbidity.
• Population health.
• Precision health.
• Immunological approaches.
• Artificial intelligence in healthcare.
• Nucleic acid therapies.
• Cell therapies.

High-quality proposals outside these priority areas are also eligible if they demonstrate significant scientific merit and potential impact.

Why This Grant Matters

The OF-LCG supports research programmes capable of transforming healthcare through collaboration and innovation.

The programme helps researchers:

• Address major healthcare challenges.
• Translate scientific discoveries into patient benefits.
• Build large interdisciplinary research teams.
• Develop innovative diagnostics and therapies.
• Improve healthcare delivery.
• Strengthen Singapore’s biomedical research ecosystem.
• Generate long-term health and economic benefits.

Who is Eligible?

Applications must be submitted through a Host Institution and include one Corresponding Principal Investigator (PI).

Eligible Principal Investigators must:

• Hold a primary salaried appointment at a local public institution.
• Hold a PhD, MD, MBBS, or BDS qualification (unless exempted).
• Demonstrate an established research track record.
• Be employed for at least nine months per calendar year at a local public institution.

Applications must be endorsed and submitted by the Corresponding PI’s Host Institution.

Research Team Requirements

Each proposal must include:

• One Corresponding Principal Investigator (PI).
• Multiple Theme Principal Investigators (Theme PIs), where appropriate.
• A maximum of five research themes.
• Strong interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Participation from relevant public institutions.

The research team should demonstrate complementary expertise and the capacity to deliver a large-scale collaborative research programme.

Eligible Research

The programme supports:

• Patient-centric translational research.
• Research integrating basic and applied science.
• Multidisciplinary healthcare research.
• Collaborative programmes addressing national health priorities.

The programme does not support:

• Pure basic science research.
• Pure clinical research.
• Pure applied research without translational components.

How the Selection Process Works

Applications undergo a rigorous two-stage evaluation process:

1. Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI).
2. Shortlisted applicants are invited to submit a Full Proposal.
3. International experts review the proposal.
4. Applicants participate in the rebuttal process.
5. Selected applicants attend an interview.
6. Final funding recommendations are made.

Following in-principle approval, funded programmes must submit applicable multi-party project agreements within four months before the Letter of Award is issued.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are assessed based on:

• Scientific excellence.
• National relevance.
• Innovation and originality.
• Translational potential.
• Research team capability.
• Programme governance.
• Capacity-building plans.
• Expected health impact.
• Potential economic value.
• Quality of collaboration.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Confirm eligibility with the Host Institution.
2. Form a multidisciplinary collaborative research team.
3. Identify the Corresponding PI and Theme PIs.
4. Develop a patient-centric translational research programme.
5. Prepare and submit the Letter of Intent.
6. If shortlisted, prepare the Full Proposal.
7. Participate in expert review, rebuttal, and interview.
8. Submit required project agreements following in-principle approval.

Application Tips

To improve your application:

• Clearly demonstrate translational impact.
• Build a strong multidisciplinary research consortium.
• Align the programme with national healthcare priorities.
• Present realistic governance and management plans.
• Explain how the research will improve patient outcomes.
• Include measurable scientific and economic impact.
• Demonstrate institutional commitment and collaboration.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common issues:

• Submitting proposals focused only on basic science.
• Proposing purely clinical or purely applied research.
• Weak collaboration across institutions.
• Poor governance or programme management plans.
• Unclear translational pathway.
• Limited evidence of research capability.
• Insufficient explanation of expected health impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the NMRC Open Fund – Large Collaborative Grant?

It is a competitive funding programme supporting large collaborative translational research programmes that improve healthcare and generate economic value.

How much funding is available?

Applicants may request funding of up to S$10 million or up to S$25 million, depending on the programme scope.

How long can projects run?

Projects may be funded for up to five years.

Who can serve as the Corresponding Principal Investigator?

The Corresponding PI must hold a primary salaried appointment at a local public institution, possess the required qualifications, and have an established research track record.

What types of research are eligible?

The programme supports patient-centric translational research that integrates basic and applied research while addressing important healthcare challenges.

Does the programme fund pure basic science research?

No. Pure basic science, pure clinical research, and pure applied research are not eligible unless they form part of a translational research programme.

How are applications evaluated?

Applications are assessed based on scientific excellence, national relevance, translational impact, collaboration, governance, research capability, capacity building, and potential health and economic outcomes.

Conclusion

The NMRC Open Fund – Large Collaborative Grant (OF-LCG) provides substantial funding of up to S$25 million for collaborative translational research programmes that improve patient care and strengthen Singapore’s biomedical research ecosystem. By supporting interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and translation of research into healthcare solutions, the programme aims to deliver lasting health, scientific, and economic benefits.

For more information, visit NMRC.