Apply for ASEAN Science Technology and Innovation Fund 2026

The ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Fund (ASTIF) Call 2026 supports collaborative Artificial Intelligence (AI) research and innovation projects addressing regional challenges across ASEAN Member States. With a total budget of USD 1.2 million, the call funds AI solutions in health and food security, climate and environmental intelligence, advanced materials and energy transition, and MSME productivity and workforce development.

About the ASTIF Call 2026

The ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Fund (ASTIF) Call 2026 has been launched by the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI) under the theme “ASEAN Grand Challenge: AI-Enabled Competitive and Resilient Region.”

The programme is designed to strengthen regional cooperation in artificial intelligence research, technology development, innovation, and practical AI applications.

The call encourages projects that address problems affecting multiple ASEAN countries rather than challenges limited to a single country.

Key Objectives

The ASTIF Call 2026 aims to:

• Strengthen AI research and development across ASEAN.
• Promote cross-border research collaboration.
• Develop practical AI models, tools, and technologies.
• Address shared regional challenges.
• Encourage collaboration between academia, government, industry, and other sectors.
• Strengthen ASEAN’s technological competitiveness.
• Improve regional resilience through AI-enabled solutions.
• Develop shared AI infrastructure, data systems, and research capabilities.

Priority Areas

Proposals must fall within one or more of the four priority areas.

AI for Health, Bioeconomy and Food Security

This area supports AI applications that address:

• Health-related challenges.
• Food security.
• Agricultural and food systems.
• Bioeconomy development.
• AI-enabled health and biological research.
• Data-driven solutions for food and nutrition systems.

AI for Space, Earth, Ocean and Climate Intelligence

This priority supports AI technologies for:

• Climate intelligence.
• Environmental monitoring.
• Earth observation.
• Ocean research.
• Space-related applications.
• Climate resilience.
• Environmental data analysis and prediction.

AI for Advanced Materials and Energy Transition

Projects may focus on AI applications supporting:

• Advanced materials research.
• Clean energy technologies.
• Energy efficiency.
• Energy transition.
• Sustainable technology development.
• AI-assisted materials discovery and development.

AI for MSME Productivity and Workforce Development

This area focuses on improving the competitiveness of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through:

• AI-powered productivity tools.
• Workforce development.
• Skills development.
• Business process automation.
• Digital transformation.
• AI-enabled decision-making.
• Technology solutions for MSME growth.

Funding Available

The ASTIF Call 2026 has a total budget of USD 1,200,000.

Funding can support eligible research and innovation activities, including:

• Collaborative research.
• AI model development.
• AI tools and solution development.
• Technology demonstrations.
• Proof-of-concept activities.
• Shared AI research infrastructure.
• Development or enhancement of AI data systems.

The maximum project duration is 24 months.

Eligible Costs

Funding may cover eligible direct project expenses such as:

• Research equipment.
• Research materials and supplies.
• Consultant and expert fees.
• Meetings and workshops.
• Eligible personnel costs.
• Administrative costs.
• Other eligible research-related expenses.

Personnel costs and stipends must not exceed 30% of the total project budget on average.

Costs That Are Not Eligible

ASTIF funding cannot be used for certain expenses, including:

• Conference participation for presenting research papers.
• Office rental.
• General office equipment.
• Other expenses specifically excluded under the ASTIF funding guidelines.

Applicants should carefully check the official cost eligibility requirements before preparing their budget.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must be legally registered organisations based in an ASEAN Member State.

Individual applicants cannot apply independently.

Eligible organisations may include:

• Higher education institutions.
• Public research organisations.
• Government agencies.
• Non-profit organisations.
• Private-sector companies.
• Startups.
• Science, technology and innovation organisations.
• Other legally registered entities involved in relevant research or innovation activities.

Application Tracks

Applicants can participate through two main tracks.

Open Competitive Call Track

This track is open to a broad range of eligible organisations, including:

• Universities and higher education institutions.
• Research organisations.
• Government agencies.
• Non-profit organisations.
• Companies.
• Startups.
• Other legally registered science, technology and innovation organisations.

COSTI Sub-Committee Track

This track is intended for eligible national focal point entities participating through the relevant COSTI Sub-Committee arrangements.

Applicants should confirm which track applies to their organisation before preparing the submission.

Regional Collaboration Requirement

ASTIF is specifically designed as an ASEAN regional funding mechanism.

Project teams must include participants from at least two ASEAN Member States.

The proposed project must identify a regional problem and demonstrate why cooperation between ASEAN countries is necessary or beneficial.

Projects focused exclusively on an issue affecting only one country may be less competitive.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow the required application process and coordinate with the relevant national COSTI structures.

Step 1: Identify a Regional AI Challenge

Define a clear problem affecting more than one ASEAN Member State.

The problem should be directly connected to one or more ASTIF priority areas.

Step 2: Build an ASEAN Consortium

Develop a project team involving organisations from at least two ASEAN Member States.

Partners should have clearly defined roles and relevant technical expertise.

Step 3: Select the Appropriate Funding Track

Determine whether the application should be submitted through:

• The Open Competitive Call Track, or
• The COSTI Sub-Committee Track.

Step 4: Develop the AI Solution

Explain:

• The problem being addressed.
• The proposed AI technology.
• Research and development activities.
• Expected outputs.
• Expected regional benefits.
• How the technology can be implemented or scaled.

Step 5: Prepare the Budget

Develop a realistic budget covering eligible project costs.

Applicants should ensure that personnel costs and stipends remain within the 30% average limit.

Step 6: Prepare Required Documents

The application package includes:

• Completed ASTIF Call 2026 Proposal Template.
• Formal institutional submission letter.
• Legal registration documents where required.
• Endorsement documents where required.
• Additional documents depending on the selected application track.

Step 7: Submit Through the National COSTI Focal Point

Proposals must be submitted through the National COSTI Focal Point of the ASEAN Member State serving as the project lead.

Applicants should therefore coordinate with their relevant national COSTI authority before submission.

How Proposals Will Be Evaluated

Applications will be reviewed by a Project Appraisal Group (PAG).

The assessment will consider several factors.

Relevance

Reviewers will assess whether the proposal:

• Fits the ASTIF 2026 theme.
• Addresses one or more priority areas.
• Supports the objectives of the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI).

Regional Problem and Impact

Proposals should clearly demonstrate:

• The regional nature of the problem.
• Why ASEAN collaboration is required.
• Expected benefits for participating countries.
• Potential for wider regional impact.

Collaboration

Assessment will consider:

• Collaboration among ASEAN Member States.
• Cross-sectoral partnerships.
• Collaboration across relevant COSTI Sub-Committees.
• Contributions from participating countries and partners.

Technical and Financial Quality

Reviewers will examine:

• Technical feasibility.
• Research methodology.
• Innovation.
• Budget realism.
• Value for money.
• Project implementation capacity.

Deliverables and Sustainability

Proposals should clearly explain:

• Expected outputs.
• Measurable deliverables.
• How results will be used.
• Sustainability after the grant period.
• Potential for scaling or further development.

Why This Opportunity Matters

The ASTIF Call 2026 is important because it supports AI development through regional ASEAN collaboration rather than isolated national projects.

The programme can help:

• Strengthen ASEAN AI research capacity.
• Connect universities, research institutions, governments, and businesses.
• Develop practical AI technologies.
• Address shared health, climate, food, energy, and economic challenges.
• Improve MSME productivity.
• Support technology transfer and innovation.
• Build long-term regional research partnerships.

What Makes a Strong Proposal?

A competitive proposal should have:

• A clearly defined regional problem.
• Strong evidence showing why the problem matters.
• A practical and innovative AI solution.
• Partners from at least two ASEAN Member States.
• Clearly defined responsibilities for each partner.
• Strong technical expertise.
• A realistic implementation plan.
• A well-justified budget.
• Measurable outputs and outcomes.
• A credible sustainability and scaling strategy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Submitting a project that addresses only a national issue.
• Failing to include partners from at least two ASEAN Member States.
• Choosing an AI application that does not clearly fit the priority areas.
• Exceeding the personnel and stipend cost limit.
• Including ineligible expenses in the budget.
• Providing unclear roles for consortium partners.
• Failing to explain the project’s regional impact.
• Using an unrealistic implementation schedule.
• Submitting incomplete institutional or legal documentation.
• Failing to coordinate with the relevant National COSTI Focal Point.

Project Implementation and Reporting

Selected projects will be required to comply with the applicable ASTIF grant agreement.

Successful applicants should expect requirements relating to:

• Project implementation.
• Financial management.
• Progress reporting.
• Research outputs.
• Dissemination of results.
• Documentation of project activities.
• Sustainability and use of project outcomes.

Applicants may also be asked to respond to reviewer questions or provide clarification before final selection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ASTIF Call 2026?

The ASTIF Call 2026 is an ASEAN funding opportunity supporting collaborative AI research and innovation projects that address regional challenges and contribute to a more competitive and resilient ASEAN region.

How much funding is available?

The total budget for the ASTIF Call 2026 is USD 1.2 million.

Who can apply?

Legally registered organisations based in ASEAN Member States can apply. Eligible applicants include universities, research organisations, government agencies, non-profits, companies, startups, and other relevant organisations. Individuals are not eligible to apply independently.

How many ASEAN countries must participate?

Each project team must include participants from at least two ASEAN Member States.

What are the main AI priority areas?

The four priority areas are:

• AI for Health, Bioeconomy and Food Security.
• AI for Space, Earth, Ocean and Climate Intelligence.
• AI for Advanced Materials and Energy Transition.
• AI for MSME Productivity and Workforce Development.

How long can projects last?

Projects can have a maximum duration of 24 months.

Where should proposals be submitted?

Proposals must be submitted through the National COSTI Focal Point of the ASEAN Member State serving as the project lead.

Conclusion

The ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Fund (ASTIF) Call 2026 provides a major opportunity for ASEAN universities, research organisations, governments, companies, startups, and other innovation-focused organisations to collaborate on practical AI solutions. With USD 1.2 million available, the programme prioritises projects that address shared regional challenges, demonstrate strong ASEAN collaboration, deliver practical technological outcomes, and create sustainable benefits across multiple Member States.