Singapore: Heritage Research Grant (HRG) for NGOs, Academics, and Researchers

Deadline: 7 October 2019

National Heritage Board is seeking applications for its Heritage Research Grant (HRG) that aims to encourage institutes of higher learning (IHLs), think tanks, heritage NGOs, academics and researchers to embark on heritage-related research projects for the documentation and preservation of Singapore’s heritage.

Research Topics

• Singapore Pre-History and History
  • This topic invites proposals for research on Singapore Pre-History and History. Interested researchers should propose specific case studies that could include:
    • Pre-historic Singapore (e.g. pre-historic archaeological materials in Singapore)
    • Pre-colonial Singapore (e.g. impact of trade flows, religion, Western expansion in Southeast Asia, historical context behind Stamford Raffles’ 1819 arrival in Singapore)
    • Colonial Singapore (e.g. Inter-ethnic interactions in commercial activities, shipping lines in Singapore, picture postcard producers, Empire Day and other colony-wide celebrations, river settlements in Singapore)
    • World War II (e.g. larger narratives of World War II in Singapore, significance of the Malay Regiment, accounts by wartime survivors and prisoners of war)
    • Post-independence Singapore (e.g. public housing, economic development, industrialisation, labour relations, visual culture, defence, diplomacy, socio-economic microhistories, public histories, roles of social and/or collective memory in the development of Singapore’s nation-building narratives)
    • Singapore Identity and Culture (e.g. foodways, languages, HDB living, cultural diversity, tourism connections, urban studies, social value of museums)
    • General museological studies (e.g. history of museums in Singapore, history of private Singapore art collections, development of the Raffles Library and Museum collections, development of the colonial museum network in Southeast Asia)
• Intangible Cultural Heritage
  • This topic invites proposals for research related to the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of Singapore. Interested researchers should refer to the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Singapore
    • Oral Traditions and Expressions
    • Performing Arts
    • Social Practices, Rituals and Festive Events
    • Knowledge and Practice concerning nature and the universe
    • Traditional Craftsmanship
    • Food Heritage
  • Researchers may propose research to demonstrate the value of intangible cultural heritage in Singapore’s context, or explore case studies that could deepen understanding of specific ICH practices in Singapore
• Tangible Heritage
  • This topic invites proposals for research on historic and heritage buildings, structures and sites. The proposal’s focus should be primarily on Singapore, although research on overseas tangible heritage could be considered if the research is able to link the research outcomes to Singapore.
    • Some potential case studies include:
      • Cities/Urban studies (e.g. architectural history of Singapore, modern architectural heritage of Singapore)
      • Recreation and entertainment heritage (e.g. history of amusement parks, cinemas and theatres in Singapore)
      • Archaeological sites (e.g. archaeology methodology, archaeology ethics, archaeology mapping, pre-colonial archaeology, colonial archaeology, peoples’ archaeology, archiving and database management etc.)
  • Researchers are encouraged to adopt a cross-disciplinary approach for their proposed research. For example, researchers could explore the use of technology (e.g. digital data management, GIS Technology, aerial photography, etc) that supports the research objectives and enhances the quality of the research.
• Ethnic Heritage
  • This topic invites research proposals that documents and examines the tangible and/or intangible cultural heritage of specific communities/sub-communities in Singapore. Interested researchers should propose specific case studies that could include:
    • Mixed Communities (e.g. early development of mixed heritage communities in Southeast Asia like the Straits Chinese, Arab/Jawi/Chitty Peranakan communities, influence of intermarriage and the formation of trade alliances, history and development of related ethnic associations and societies)
    • Impact of ethnic heritage on policy studies, communications, sociology, psychology, geography, political science, etc.

The HRG encourages applicants to take an inter-cultural and cross-disciplinary approach for their proposed research topic. For example, a research project that focuses on intangible cultural heritage and its links to tangible heritage buildings and spaces would be encouraged.

Funding Information

The HRG funding quantum is capped at $150,000 per research project, and the grant supports research costs including manpower costs, costs associated with conducting fieldwork, as well as any indirect/ancillary research costs charged by the applicant’s institution.

Eligibility Criteria

• The HRG is open to researchers from or endorsed by local institutes of higher learning (IHLs), research institutions, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
• Applicants should have a strong track record in academic research and demonstrate a keen interest in Singapore’s heritage.

How to Apply

Interested applicants must download the application form available on the given website.

For more information, please visit https://www.nhb.gov.sg/what-we-do/our-work/community-engagement/grants/grants/heritage-research-grant