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Landscape”Singapore’s recent budget, titled “Building Our Shared Future Together,” marks the inception of the Forward Singapore programmes and signals a commitment to shaping a collaborative future for the nation through digital transformation and technology. The nation prioritises building a strong, innovative economy, striving to enhance its global competitiveness through research and development (R&D) to foster innovation across sectors
The government has pledged to intensify support for R&D investments, especially in deep tech R&D for critical and novel technologies, as well as low-carbon energy research. To this end, A*STAR is spearheading the establishment of new R&D translation platforms and initiatives aimed at catalysing key sectors.
The National Semiconductor Translation and Innovation Centre (NSTIC), led by A*STAR in partnership with local institutes of higher learning and supported by the National Research Foundation, seeks to improve R&D translation in flat optics and silicon photonics, revolutionising semiconductor devices’ performance for faster and more efficient electronic devices. Companies can collaborate with NSTIC to expedite product prototyping and manufacturing scale-up or leverage its capabilities for small-volume manufacturing.
The Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Initiative (NATi) aims to position Singapore as a regional hub for nucleic acid therapeutics (NAT) research, clinical translation, and commercialisation. NATi harnesses the potential of nucleic acids like messenger RNA (mRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) for treating diseases through RNA molecules, including personalised cancer treatments, vaccines, and therapeutics.
Through NATi, Singapore aims to expedite the development of RNA drugs and vaccines and enhance RNA manufacturing capabilities. Companies are encouraged to leverage NATi to address clinical and industrial challenges using technologies from its key thrusts of NAT Exchange (NAT X) and the RNA Foundry.
MedTech Catapult aims to establish Singapore as a leading medical device product development hub. This initiative will accelerate speed to market for high-value MedTech products by facilitating design, development, verification, and validation processes. By positioning itself for emerging smart and sustainable life science tools and medical devices, Singapore aims to bolster its innovation-driven economy and robust MedTech ecosystem.
The National Robotics Programme (NRP) will focus on advancing Singapore’s robotics capabilities in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, facilities management, and healthcare. Through “RoboClusters,” NRP aims to foster collaboration between public sector researchers, end-users, and robotics companies to develop solutions with economic potential.
NRP will also support promising Singapore-based robotics SMEs and startups, further enhancing Singapore’s position as a leader in robotics innovation. Local companies engaged in developing robotics solutions are encouraged to join the RoboCluster initiative.
Singapore is using sectoral AI Centres of Excellence (CoEs) to address industry challenges and nurture AI expertise. The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and A*STAR have partnered to create an AI CoE for manufacturing, launching by late 2024. Collaboration with the CoE lets local firms improve product value, customise scalable AI solutions, and expedite operational enhancements.
The Low-Carbon Energy Research (LCER) Programme supports research, development, and demonstration projects to advance low-carbon technologies and enable decarbonisation of the power and industry sectors. Under Phase 2 of the LCER Programme, the Directed Hydrogen Programme (DHP) and the Emerging Technology Grant Call (ETGC) were launched in late 2023.
Following a rigorous evaluation, SG$ 55 million has been allocated to support six DHP projects and 10 ETGC projects. LCER, funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) and hosted by A*STAR, aims to accelerate Singapore’s transition towards sustainable energy solutions.
Singapore’s forward-thinking budget lays the foundation for a future driven by innovation, economic growth, and sustainability. Through strategic investments in R&D, deep tech initiatives, AI adoption, and low-carbon energy research, Singapore is poised to strengthen its position as a global leader in technology and innovation.
