Ten scientists have each been given up to US$1.5 million (S$2.2 million) over three years to start their own research in Singapore, by the National Research Foundation (NRF). -- ST PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG
TEN scientists aged 29 to 35, and of six different nationalities have each been given up to US$1.5 million (S$2.2 million) over three years to start their own research in Singapore, by the National Research Foundation (NRF). If they do good work, they can get another round of three-year funding.
This grant, called the NRF Research Fellowship, aims to attract young scientists from around the world to come to Singapore to do cutting-edge research. In other countries, scientists have to be about 40 before they are given this opportunity.
The list of 10 winners
1. Dr Chi Yonggui, Robin, 29 University of California, Berkeley, USA Area of research: Biochemistry
2. Dr Chen Xiaodong, 34 Nanyang Techonological University (NTU), Singapore Area of research: Nanotechnology
The programme started last year, with 10 winners awarded the grant. This year, the number of applicants increased 30 per cent to 186.
It is one of three categories of grants under the NRF. The first one is up to US$500 million for each large network and there is a mid-tier one which gives up to US$10 million to each research team.
