Deadline: 23-Jun-2026
The Young Individual Research Grant (YIRG) is a Singapore funding programme supporting early-career researchers in developing independent, investigator-led R&D projects in manufacturing and engineering. The grant aims to strengthen Singapore’s innovation capacity, economic competitiveness, and job creation in high-tech sectors.
It provides up to S$325,000 per project over three years and supports young scientists working under mentorship within publicly funded research institutions in Singapore.
About the Programme
The YIRG is a sub-category of the Investigator Research Grant (IRG) under Singapore’s Manufacturing, Trade and Connectivity (MTC) research ecosystem. It is designed to support early-career researchers in leading independent scientific projects while building mentorship-guided research capabilities.
The programme focuses on:
- Strengthening Singapore’s manufacturing and engineering innovation capacity
- Supporting GDP growth and economic competitiveness
- Creating high-quality jobs for Singaporeans
- Developing future-ready technologies and R&D capabilities
- Encouraging investigator-led, ground-up research
- Training young scientists in independent research leadership
Key Objectives
The grant aims to:
- Develop innovative R&D ideas aligned with Manufacturing, Trade, and Connectivity strategies
- Strengthen technological capabilities in manufacturing and engineering
- Support early-career researchers in leading independent projects
- Encourage bottom-up research across the ecosystem
- Build long-term scientific and innovation leadership in Singapore
Funding Details
- Funding amount: Up to S$325,000 per project
- Duration: 3 years
- Includes: 30% indirect costs
- Supports investigator-led research projects under mentorship
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Applicants
Applicants must:
- Be early-career researchers in science or engineering fields
- Hold a PhD obtained within the last 7 years, OR
- Hold MD, MBBS, or BDS qualifications
Institutional Requirements
- Principal Investigator (PI) must hold at least 75% appointment in a Singapore-based publicly funded research institution
- Co-Investigators must also be from publicly funded Singapore institutions
- Applicants must work under a research mentor
Ineligibility Conditions
Applicants cannot be:
- NRF Fellowship awardees
- MOE Tier 2 or Tier 3 grant holders
- MOH/NMRC IRG-equivalent grant awardees
- Individuals with outstanding or incomplete national grant reports
Research Focus Areas
The programme supports research aligned with:
- Advanced manufacturing technologies
- Engineering innovation
- Industrial digitalisation
- Trade and connectivity systems
- Applied scientific and technological development
- Emerging industrial R&D solutions
Key Features of the Grant
- Investigator-led research model
- Mentorship-guided project development
- Ground-up innovation approach
- Focus on early-career researcher development
- Alignment with national economic strategies
- Support for independent scientific leadership
Why This Programme Matters
The YIRG helps Singapore by:
- Building a strong pipeline of young research leaders
- Strengthening industrial innovation capacity
- Enhancing competitiveness in manufacturing and engineering
- Supporting long-term economic transformation
- Encouraging breakthrough R&D in key sectors
- Linking research output with national development goals
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Not meeting the 7-year post-PhD eligibility rule
- Missing required institutional appointment conditions
- Applying without a qualified mentor
- Having unresolved reporting obligations from past grants
- Misalignment with manufacturing and engineering focus areas
- Weak justification for independent research leadership
FAQ
What is the YIRG?
It is a Singapore grant supporting early-career researchers to lead independent R&D projects in manufacturing and engineering.
How much funding is available?
Up to S$325,000 per project over three years.
Who can apply?
Researchers with a PhD (within 7 years) or MD/MBBS/BDS, working in Singapore publicly funded institutions.
Is mentorship required?
Yes, all applicants must work with a research mentor.
Can international researchers apply?
They must hold qualifying appointments in Singapore publicly funded institutions.
What is the main goal of the grant?
To develop independent research talent and strengthen Singapore’s manufacturing and engineering innovation ecosystem.
Conclusion
The Young Individual Research Grant (YIRG) supports early-career scientists in Singapore by funding independent, mentorship-guided research in manufacturing and engineering. The programme strengthens national innovation capacity, promotes investigator-led research, and helps develop the next generation of research leaders contributing to Singapore’s economic and technological growth.
For more information, visit Singapore Health Services.