NUS Sustainable Futures Grant Call and Events

Grant Call

Who can apply?

Applications are open to full-time NUS academic staff with a contract end date which exceeds the project end date. If the applicant’s contract end date is before the project end date, applicants will need to seek HOD’s support in the form of indication of intent to renew the contract or a commitment to assign an alternative PI if necessary.

What are the thematic areas of research that can be funded?

We are looking to fund research ideas in 3 key thematic areas:

1.  NUS Energy Solutions Hub (NESH): Power our world as we transition to a low-carbon economy

2.  Initiative for Climate, Oceans & Nature (ICON): Live in harmony with Nature and within planetary boundaries

3.  Integrative Urban Solutions (IUS): Build and thrive in sustainable and resilient urban environment

What is the amount funded?

Up to S$500k per project, for project duration up to 3 years.

Condition of award

Teams are expected to compete for and win at least one major external grant at the scale of an NRF CRP or MOE Tier 3 grant (>S$5m) within 3 years from award of this Seed Grant.

Guidelines

For more information, click here for the grant application guidelines.

• All applicants must submit their application via iRIMs-Sponsored Projects (iRIMS-SP). Click here to access the iRIMS portal.

• Refer to this link (pages 4 to 8, and pages 20 to 34) on steps to create a proposal in iRIMS.

• Applicants are required to attach the following documents in the ‘Additional Information’ tab in iRIMS.

o Duly completed Application Form (click here to download)
o One-page CV of all team members (refer to Section 5 of the Application form for information required in the CV)

• After submission of proposal in iRIMS, proposal will be routed to Faculty/RIC/RCE Admins to seek VDR/Director endorsement.

• For the complete guide on how to use iRIMS, please access this link.

• The table below outlines important milestone dates for the application.

Activity	Deadline
Call for Applications	15 October 2025
Closing Date for Applications from PI to Dept/Faculty	15 December 2025
Closing Date for Endorsed Applications from Faculty to ODPRT	18 December 2025
Evaluation & Selection	January/February 2026
Successful Applicants Notified	2 March 2026
Submission of Statement of Acceptance	9 March 2026
Creation of Account	16 March 2026
Project Start Date	1 April 2026
Project Completion Date	30 March 2029
Progress/Final Reports	31 May 2027 31 May 2028 31 May 2029
Deadline to Secure CRP or Tier 3 type grant	3 years from award

My employment contract expires before the project end date. Am I still eligible to apply?

Yes. Please seek HOD’s support in the form of indication of intent to renew the contract or a commitment to assign an alternative PI if necessary. This needs to be attached under the ‘Additional Information’ section in iRIMS Proposal record.

Can I invite collaborators from other IHLs or entities for the research project?

Yes, you can. However, Lead PI must be NUS staff.

Are overheads/indirect costs allowed?

No. These are not allowed as this is an NUS-funded grant.

Can I submit the same proposal to multiple grant calls?

No, this is not allowed.

Who should I contact for clarification about the grant?

You may contact Ian Loo at ian.loo@nus.edu.sg.
Connect with the 2024 Futures seed grant recipients to hear their stories.

Andrew Wong
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering
Project title: Electrification of Adiponitrile Production from Biomass
mseabw@nus.edu.sg

Remi Luo Xiangzhong
Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences
Project title: Southeast Asia Innovation Alliance for a Global Model of Future Agri-food Systems (SIGMA)
xzluo.remi@nus.edu.sg

Nicholas Ravanelli
Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Project title: Developing a Personalized Heat Vulnerability Index Integrating Heat-Health Responses and Resilience Strategies among Older Adults in Singapore
nicholas.ravanelli@nus.edu.sg

Ongoing Events

Distinguished Lecture Series

Featuring leading voices across academia and industry, the NUS Sustainable Futures Distinguished Lecture Series explores and highlights practical pathways in decarbonisation and energy resilience, climate action and biodiversity conservation, and sustainable urban development.

stock-photo-excited-female-entrepreneur-shares-an-insightful-talk-on-technology-and-leadership-at-a-2634221423

Past Events

seed grant sharing — NUS Sustainable Futures Seed Grant Sharing

profileImage.img — Distinguished Lecture Series by
Professor Yi Ming

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