10 young scientists get US$15m to conduct research in Singapore
By May Wong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 31 January 2008 2159 hrs

	Photos  of

SINGAPORE: The National Research Foundation (NRF) is awarding 10 young scientists from all over the world, a total of up to US$15 million over three years.

The money will be used to conduct cutting-edge research in Singapore and this is possible under the foundation's inaugural research fellowship award, which will now be an annual affair.

Experts said such a large funding given to each individual is rare. Often, many scientists have to source for multiple funding over a period of time and that slows down their research.

But the panel of experts believe this grant will certainly give the bright researchers a much needed kick-start.

Dr Yeo Yee Chia, an NRF research fellowship award recipient, said: "A big grant has got a smaller administrative burden. So that leaves the researcher a lot of time to focus on research and as a researcher, we'd like to work on multiple directions to push the frontiers of technology, so it's a great opportunity for us to devote our time and energy on that."

The chosen scientists will also get a salary equivalent to that of an assistant professor at a university.

Dr Tony Tan, Chairman of the National Research Foundation, said: "This is a programme to take bets on people of extraordinary quality who have shown evidence of their ability to do research work at the various highest levels and to give them the opportunity to do such work here...

"I think it'll be a tremendous boost to the R&D work in Singapore as well as significant contribution to our talent pool."

Dr Rita Colwell, an NRF scientific advisory board member, said: "What Singapore is doing is providing the catalytic environment and resources for some very important discoveries to be made, and that I think is a contribution to humanity."

The research fellows are between 30 and 35 years old and come from all over the world, including the US and Holland. They will focus on areas like biological sciences, chemistry and engineering.

Projects with the potential of research breakthrough may be chosen to receive additional funding. - CNA/vm