Innovation to Develop (I2D)

Developing early-stage innovations towards clinical and/or market readiness

Aim

• Support the development of a clinically significant and/or commercially viable healthcare innovation.

• The grant application must clearly illustrate the scientific merit, competitive advantage and technical feasibility of the project.

• Demonstrate potential for translation to a point where the technology would be attractive to an industry partner or follow-on funder.

Eligibility

• Principal Investigator must hold primary appointment in a public healthcare institution and be salaried by the institution in Singapore.

• Project teams must have strong clinical representation.

• Collaborations with industry are encouraged if they strengthen the proposal. All applications are considered based on merit and eligibility is not limited to NMRC-funded research.

Funding quantum and duration

• NHIC's funding quantum capped at S$400,000 (inclusive of max. 30% indirect costs) will be awarded to the host institution on a reimbursement basis for expenses incurred by project teams towards the development of proposed technology.

• The funding support is up to 18 months.

Funding criteria

Funding is considered if the application satisfies the following criteria:

• Well defined unmet healthcare need

• Proven scientific merit with proof-of-concept data

• Detailed development plan highlighting future project work, milestones, endpoints and regulatory strategy

• Clear understanding of current clinical workflow and potential for eventual clinical adoption

• Potential for healthcare impact that results in new or change in clinical practice/guidelines and healthcare policy

• Clear and achievable commercial plan outlining the proposed route to market, competing technologies and potential industry partners

Terms and Conditions

Please see Research Grant Terms & Conditions governing NHIC grants.

Grant Schedule

• Applications close 3^rd week of Jan & July (institutional dates may vary)

Note: NHIC I2D grant application will be open till Friday, 11 September 2026, at 5pm.

Important: Applicants are advised to refer to institutional internal deadlines for submission of grant applications.

Each form MUST be endorsed and submitted electronically by the designated Research/Innovation Offices from the respective Healthcare Cluster (as listed in the table below) to the NHIC Grant Secretariat.

Application process and evaluation

For further queries on NHIC I2D grant, please contact NHIC I2D Grant Secretariat at grant@nhic.cris.sg.

List of Awarded Projects

For the list of awarded Innovation to Develop (I2D) projects, please click here .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Please refer to our list of FAQs for more information here.