AsianScientist (Oct. 29, 2013) – Singapore’s Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council (RIEC) unveiled on Friday three new programs to strengthen the national innovation landscape.
The Returning Singaporean Scientists scheme will encourage Singaporean scientists to return from overseas to conduct research in areas important to its growth. The scheme will provide funding for research, and headhunted scientists will have the opportunity to take on leadership positions at local research institutes and universities.
S$200 million will be allocated for the Innovation Cluster Program, which leverages research and technological capabilities to grow new industry clusters and create higher value jobs for Singapore. The four innovation cluster plans shortlisted for funding are in diagnostics, speech and language technologies, membranes and additive manufacturing.
The National Cybersecurity Research and Development Program, with an investment of S$130 million, will support research efforts in the areas of cybersecurity, scalable trustworthy systems, resilient systems and combating insider threats.
Chaired by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the RIEC comprises of Cabinet ministers, local and foreign business leaders, and science experts who guide the national research and development strategy.
“Ultimately, R&D has to improve peoples’ lives—with new drugs, healthier and safer living environment, better paying jobs, and our research needs to be translated into innovation and value,” said PM Lee. “To make further progress, we’ll need good people, good research programs and then we’ll be able to get good research outcomes.”
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Source: National Research Foundation; Photo: RDECOM/Flickr/CC.
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