E-Science Fund Research

Proposal Write-up
Dr. Abdul Kadir Masrom
Program MOSTI Research Funding
2nd July 2012
UITM Kedah
 Outline of Presentation

• Overview
•ScienceFund
•Technofund
• Evaluation / Selection Criteria for
•Science Fund
•TechnoFund
•Rejection Reason
• Writing wining Proposal
•InnoFund
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 R&D&C FUNDING STRUCTURE
PRE COM
PRE-R&D R&D COMMERCIALISATION
Incubation/
Early Mature Value
Pre-R&D Value Concept/ Basic Applied Pilot Realisation
Prototype Growth Stage
Process Analysis Idea R R Plant /
Development
CR Prototype

ScienceFund

Tech.
Foresight, TechnoFund
Tech.
Roadmap

CRDF,TAF

VCs, MAVCAP,MOF,
Industries
 Science Fund TechnoFund
Exploratory, Proof of Pre-com,
concept 2-3 yrs durations
Basic and Applied Need Proof of concept
Durations: 2-3 yrs Research
Grant
Top Down – minimum
3 collaborator
Enterprise and Community
InnoFund Nano Fund
Science Fund
 Science Fund: OBJECTIVES
To generate new knowledge through basic
and applied sciences;
 To develop laboratory proof of concept; and
To enhance research capability and increase
number of researchers.
 TYPES OF RESEARCH
 Strategic basic research:
experimental or theoretical work undertaken
primarily to acquire new knowledge that are
expected to lead to useful discoveries.

 Applied research:
research undertaken to acquire new knowledge
for a specific application (targeted research).
 RESEARCH FOCUS AREAS

Biotechnology Cluster
•

ICT Cluster
•

Industrial Cluster (Advanced Materials,

•
Advanced Manufacturing, Nanotechnology, Alternative
Energy, Waste to Wealth)

Agro-industry Cluster
•

Sea to Space Cluster

•
 ELIGIBLE RECIPIENT
 Research Institutions;

 Public Institutions of Higher Learning;

 Private Institutions of Higher Learning

(subject to MOSTI approval)

 Government STI Agencies

 GLC research laboratories

SCOPE OF SCIENCE FUND

The funding is for strategic basic and

applied research up to laboratory
proof of concept
 Quantum of Funding
The quantum for each project is up to RM500,000.00.
The quantum of fund approved will be determined
based on the merit of each application.

Project Duration
The project duration is up to 30 months.

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 ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
•Temporary and contract personnel;
•Travel and transportation;
•Rentals;
•Research materials and supplies;
•Minor modifications and repairs;
•Special services; and
•Special equipment and accessories.
 Science Fund TechnoFund
Exploratory, Proof of Pre-com,
concept 2-3 yrs durations
Basic and Applied Need Proof of concept
Durations: 2-3 yrs Research
Grant
Top Down – minimum
3 collaborator
Enterprise and Community
InnoFund Nano Fund
Pre Commercialisation Fund

TECHNOFUND

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 Definition of TechnoFund
TechnoFund is a grant scheme which aims to stimulate the
growth and successful innovation of Malaysian enterprises by
increasing the level of R&D and its commercialisation. The
scheme provides funding for technology
development, up to pre-commercialisation
stage, with the commercial potential to create new businesses
and generate economic wealth for the nation

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 Objectives of TechnoFund
• to undertake the development of new or cutting edge technologies or further
develop/value add existing technologies/products in specific areas (Section
7) for the creation of new businesses and generation of economic wealth for
Malaysia;

• to undertake market driven R&D towards commercialisation of R&D

outputs;

• to encourage institutions, local companies and inventors to capitalise their

intellectual work through intellectual property (IP) registration; and

• to stimulate the growth and increase capability and capacity of Malaysian

technology-based enterprises, Malaysian Government Research Institutes
(GRI) and Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) through both local and
international collaborations.

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 Quantum of Funding
RM1.5 – RM3.0 million

Project Duration
The project duration is up to 30 months*.
*Additional 6 months is permitted for application involving IP acquisition.

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 ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Eligible applicants can be researchers and other individuals
from:
• Small and Medium Enterprises;

• Institutions of Higher Learning;

• Research Institutes; and

• Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Agencies.

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 Eligibility Criteria
• All categories of companies must have a minimum of 51% equity held by Malaysians;
• Applicant or collaborator under the small and medium company category must have
minimum paid up capital in cash of RM10,000.00. However, start-up companies are
exempted from this stipulation but must provide justification and supporting
documents on the ability to sustain itself;
• None of the company directors or project team members have been convicted of any
fraudulent activities or the company been declared bankrupt, under liquidation or
placed under receivership
• The proposed project must contain elements of technological innovation leading to
commercialisation of innovative products, processes and services;
• The proposed project should be in the pre commercialisation stage with established
Proof of Concept (POC);
• The project leader and team members must be competent to undertake the proposed
project. The resume and supporting documents of the project leader and each project
team member must also be submitted.
• The following are not eligible for funding under the Pre Commercialisation Fund
(TechnoFund):
1. projects under the scope, responsibility or portfolio of certain Ministry, Department or
Agency other than MOSTI; and
2. applications from Research Institutes with internal research funding such as CESS Fund

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 Scope of Funding
1. the acquisition of technology (foreign and/ or local).
Applicants should provide the acquisition agreement or if
such an agreement is not in place, applicants shall
provide details of the technology to be acquired;

2. the up-scaling of laboratory-scale prototype or the

development of commercial ready prototype; and

3. pre-clinical testing/clinical testing/field trials

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 The funding can be used for the following:
i. pilot plant/ prototype – equipment and supporting infrastructure
which is directly related to the pilot plant;
ii. IP Preparation and Registration in Malaysia only (excluding
maintenance)- existing and new IP;
iii. market testing / assessment and/or evaluation;
iv. regulatory and standards compliance;
v. expenditure for services (consultancy/ testing) not exceeding 20%
of project cost;
vi. contract expenditure applicable to IHLs and GRIs only (research
assistant);
vii. raw materials/consumables; and
viii. technology / IP acquisition (if applicable).

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 Research Priority Areas
1. Life Sciences,
2. Computer Sciences and Information and Communication
Technology (ICT),
3. Agriculture Sciences / Agricultural Engineering,
4. Environmental Sciences,
5. Advanced Materials Science,
6. Chemical Sciences,
7. Physical and Mathematical Sciences,
8. Engineering,
9. Medical and Health Sciences, and
10. Social Sciences and Humanities.

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Evaluation / Selection Criteria
for Science Fund

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 Review Process of Research
Grant
MOSTI Internal Review
– Track record finding
Initiate Research
Ideas – Red
Gates Submission & Technical Review –
Internal Evaluate f scientific
Get the Review merit
Team Center/Dept
Division/
Prepare Proposal Strategic Review/Meeting
Faculty
– Evaluate
Alocates Funds recommendation

Endorsement
Conduct
Research Applicant
Grant Funder -
Organization
Applicants MOSTI
 Project Evaluation flow
Success rate – present situation
• INSTITUTIONAL SCREENING COMMITTEE: 95%
• TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL COMMITTEE
: 20-30%
• APPROVAL COMMITTEE :
INSTITUTIONAL SCREENING
• All applications are to be screened by the
Institutional Screening Committee to
ensure that the applications conform to
the Science Fund requirements.
• The Institutional Screening Committee is
required to assess various technical
aspects of the research proposal using
the Institutional Screening Form.
INSTITUTIONAL SCREENING
• It should also ensure;
– project leader and research team are
technically competent and the
– project costs are fair, and there is
– optimal utilisation of available research
equipments and infrastructure.
• The Institutional Screening Committee must
ensure that ethical clearance related to the
research project has been obtained from
the relevant authority.
 MOSTI - TECHNICAL AND
FINANCIAL COMMITTEE
• The committee will study the proposals
based on the main following criteria;
– merits of the research objectives,
– appropriateness of research methodology,
– ability of researchers and their team members
– the cost effectiveness of the proposal.

– Assessing commercialization potential

 MOSTI - APPROVAL
COMMITTEE
• Projects evaluated by the Technical and Financial
Committee are then submitted to the Science Fund
Approval Committee for final assessment.
• The Approval Committee is chaired by the Secretary
General of MOSTI.
• Any decision made by the ScienceFund Approval
Committee is final.
 TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL
COMMITTEE
• Most Important committee – as it
recommend projects for approval.
– Very competitive
– Highly technical
– Mixed composition
 Evaluation Process
• Part 1- General
– Research Cluster
– Project Leader and Team
– Project Title
Evaluation / Selection Criteria

1. Research
- must be a research proposal, NOT just development

- must be applied research, NOT fundamental research

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 Research Cluster
• Important – to direct the proposal to the
right panel
• Field of Research(FOR) – must be
correctly identify
– to get the right panel – get fair evaluations
– avoid from being lump into “Air to Space”
 Project Leader and Team
• Institutional committee knew better
• Competency of project leader and member
– Update your CV in MASTIC database
• Reason for rejection:
– PL contract expired before project end
– *PL have more than 2 ongoing project
– PL track record – please send final report
– Team member composition - irrelevant expertise
– PL involved in too many project
 Project Title
• The topic is usually framed as a ‘problem’
or question in need of an answer.
• The topic statement will invite your reader
to ask why it is significant and ‘worth
doing’.
• A good research proposal identifies in the
research topic a ‘problematic’ to be
investigated.
 Project Title
• An important issue is how you theorise or
conceptualise the topic—what needs to
come through is your understanding of the
problematic you are exploring.
 Background/Literature Review
• In sketching this background, you need to
show how and why does the topic
come to be important and why is it
worth researching? This means:
– contextualizing the research problem—how
does it arise?
– outlining its significance—what will be the
outcomes, and for whom?
• referring to key issues that are associated
with the topic
 Background/Literature Review
• Background can be provided in several ways:
– Your theoretical interests or concerns may have
generated the research, and its justification is to be
found in a theoretical developments or related
literature.
• In any case, you should summarise the
influences which come into play to shape your
research.
• The analysis should lead you to interrogate your
own assumptions about why the problem is
significant.
 Conceptual framework and
related literature
• A conceptual framework elaborates the
research problematic in relation to relevant
literature. It should deal with such matters
as:
– existing research and its relevance for your
topic
– relevant theoretical perspective or
perspectives
– key ideas or constructs in your approach
– possible lines of inquiry you might pursue
 Evaluation Process
• Part 2 - Technical Evaluation
– Objective
– Methodology
– Output Expected
– Collaboration
– Project Expenses
Evaluation / Selection Criteria

1. Research
- must be a research proposal, NOT just development

- must be applied research, NOT fundamental research

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 Evaluation / Selection Criteria
2. Novelty

- the research proposal must be novel

- may lead to the generation of new IP, such as filing of a patent:

Newness, inventive step and industrial application

- identify the patentability aspect of the research proposal, if any

- prior art search must be done to ensure the originality of the

proposal

- Patent incentives tell it all !

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 Evaluation / Selection Criteria

3. Viability of Research Objectives

- must be specific and measurable

e.g. the objective of the project is to develop a thin-film solar cell for micro
energy harvester. The expected harvested power level is 10 µW/cm2

- must be technically feasible

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 Purpose of the Research
Objectives Section
• Specify the outcome of your project, the
end product(s)
• Keep you objectives
– Specific: indicate precisely what you intend
to change through your project
– Measurable –what you accept as proof of
project success
– Logical – how each objective contributes to
systematically to achieving your overall
goal
 Objective(s)
• First line of technical content - something toward
which effort is directed: an aim, or end action.
• This section defines the problem that the project
aims to solve. It should be logical and easily
understandable.
• Must be certain and achievable
• Must reflect research merit/research elements
• Objectives – methodology-output must be
online
 Objective(s)
• Avoids writing:
– Too many objectives
– Weak objectives
– Very long objectives
– Very high /uncertain objectives – from time frame and
methodology, this will not be achievable
– objective contradict with
• Methodology
• Title
• output
 Writing Tips for Objectives
Section
• Don’t confuse your objectives (ends) with
you methods (means).
• A good objective emphasizes what will be
done, whereas a method will explain why
or how it will be done.
• Include goals (ultimate) and objectives
(immediate)
 An Ideal Research Objective:

• Hypothesis-driven
• Innovative
• To study mechanisms
• Realistic and focused
• Doable in the requested budget and
time

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 Research Objective

Common Mistakes 1. “Too ambitious”

Solutions:
Focus on one important issue and study
underlying mechanisms

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 Research Objective

Common Mistakes 2. “Technology-driven”

If an application is not to study a technology
or method, it should not be technology-driven.
Using a technology is not a purpose, but a
measure
Solutions:
1) Develop a hypothesis
2) Select necessary methodologies which are
necessary to demonstrate the hypothesis

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 Evaluation / Selection Criteria

4. Output Expected

- Prototype, patents, new/ improved process, new method/

technique

- must reflect the output of an applied research with potential

industrial applications
e.g. solar-based energy harvester for microelectronic devices in
aquaculture application

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 Output Expected
• Choose right output from the list;
• Be certain with type of research
– Applied research ?
– Basic Research ?
• Provide short explanation on the output
• Reflect potential commercialization
 Evaluation / Selection Criteria

6. Appropriateness of Research
Methodology
- Elaborate the research methodology in stages/ phases

- give details on the analytical techniques, design, and research

activities

- should make an attempt to compare the methodology with

alternative methods

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 Methodology
• Reason for rejection
– No methodology write up wrong write-up
– Wrong research approach  cross ref to Obj
– Methodology has no scientific/research merit
• very simple work ( experimental class work)
• Repeating work, not showing any progress – cross
ref to previous work
 Methodology
• Understand meaning of methodology – it is not
an activities
• Methodology explains research method
implement to achieve the project objectives.
– Describe the methods and procedures that will be
used. Careful thought and detailing of the procedures
will greatly increase the likelihood of the project/thesis
to be completed in an expeditious and enjoyable
manner.
• support with flow diagram( if necessary)
 Methodology
• Methodology put simply is the research methods
you intend to develop or employ and their
justification.
• It is more than a description of the techniques or
procedures proposed, and should outline the
key assumptions your approach makes.
• It may foreshadow some of the ‘methodological
issues’ which you anticipate will arise in
developing your research approach.
 Methodology
• How you describe your methodology will
depend on what kind of approach you are
taking. The methodology section typically
might:
– refer to a accepted method or approach
– highlight problems in developing a suitable
approach (methodological issues)
– describe how information will be generated,
analysed and reported
 Methodology
• If you plan a quantitative study, you will refer to
method, data collection and analysis.
• Qualitative methodology will need to describe
issues in managing qualitative data.
• An action research methodology needs to be
described in terms of planning a process and the
outcomes of different phases of the process, and
so on.
 Evaluation / Selection Criteria

8. Commercialisation Potential
- the research output MUST have the potential for further
development and commercialisation.

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 Collaboration
• Not very critical
• But its good if we can list down the
collaborator(s) involved in the project.

No rejection because of no collaboration

Evaluation / Selection Criteria

9. Cost Effectiveness
- cost effectiveness of the research outcome /
proposed solution.

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 Project Expenses
• Very Important Part
• Must provide fair project cost
• No max value – base on merit of the
proposal…However experience shows
that value <300K, have more success rate
• Many projects : 40-60% funding approved.
• Do not over blown your cost
 Project Expenses
• Thing that will help secure better funding & less
deduction;
– Details out expenses – traveling, repairs, special
services
– Itemized research materials cost- do not give lump
sum figure
– Provide quotation- materials and equipment
– Avoid purchase of one big equipment- if reject, you
get zero RM
– List all small equipments
– Write justification for purchase and description for use
of equipments – write details, do not write on one or
two line.
 Evaluation / Selection Criteria

7. Relevancy of Key Milestones

- categorically quantify the various significant accomplishments
of the projects in phases

- the milestone should reflect the various major stages of

progress in the project.

- must be at least 2 milestones per calendar year.

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 Milestone
• Milestone is again not activities - a
significant point in development, and
intermediary target reached on the way to
the goal
• One milestone for every 6 month
 Evaluation / Selection Criteria

10. Project Risk

- identify the Technical Risk, Financial Risk and Timeline Risk
and justify accordingly.

- suggest a risk mitigation plan if the risk is deemed high.

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 Evaluation / Selection Criteria

Possible Outcomes of Evaluation

(1) Recommended for Approval

(2) Recommended for Rejection

(3) KIV – pending reply from applicant for clarification

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Reasons of Rejection

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 Reasons of Rejection

1. Not a Research Project

- The so-called proposed research is NOT a research and does
not fall under Research & Priority Area.

- The focus is more on application development/ integration

E.g. Integrated fleet management system, online video game.

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 TopReasons of Rejection
Ten Reasons of Rejection

2. Lack of Novelty
- various similar works have been published.

- There are already such devices/ software applications in the

market that have same functionality

- e.g. search engine

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 TopReasons of Rejection
Ten Reasons of Rejection

3. Research Objective Not Clear

- The research objective is too general with no details of goals

and specific objectives.

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 TopReasons of Rejection
Ten Reasons of Rejection

4. Research Methodology Not Well

Explained

- Lack of proper detailing of research methodology and

approach.

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 TopReasons of Rejection
Ten Reasons of Rejection

5. Technology Soon Becoming Obsolete

- The technology proposed may become obsolete by the time
the research is done

- e.g. DDR SDRAM

- crowded market, red ocean

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 TopReasons of Rejection
Ten Reasons of Rejection

6. Unclear Expected Output

- The expected output of the project is inconsistent and puzzling

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 TopReasons of Rejection
Ten Reasons of Rejection

7. Little Commercialisation Prospect

- The project has little prospect for further development and

commercialisation

- Commercialisation potential not explained in the proposal.

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 Reasons
Top Ten of Rejection
Reasons of Rejection

8. Incomplete/ Empty CV

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Evaluation / Selection Criteria
for TechnoFund

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Approval Criteria

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 Approval Criteria of the Project

1. Novelty

Project proposal must be able to show the

uniqueness and the novelty aspect of their
technology/product in terms of new product, new
technique, new process, modification of existing
product/process, additional application, cutting
edge technology, and/or patentable. Applicant
must conduct a Prior Art Search to verify on the
patentability aspect.

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 Approval Criteria of the Project

2. Technical Feasibility
The applicant will be evaluated with respect to the
applicant’s ability to successfully complete the project
within the stipulated time.

3. Laboratory Proof of Concept (POC)

Evaluation of the Proof of Concept will be made to

establish viability, technical issues and overall direction,
as well as provide feedback for budgeting.

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 Approval Criteria of the Project

4. Competency of the Project Team

-Project teams should consist of qualified and competent members with respect to
technical and commercialisation aspects.

-Roles and responsibilities of collaborators involved in the project should be clearly

defined.

-Core business of applicant must be related to area of research.

-Project leader must be technically fluent & competent in the related project.

-Involvement of consultants in the project should be justified and with details

submitted.

-Each member of the team should provide CV clearly stating their previous research
as well as highlighting significant successes.

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 Approval Criteria of the Project
5. Credibility of Project Proposal

The project proposal must be clear, accurate and consistent with the
objectives of the Pre Commercialisation Fund (TechnoFund). The
proposal must also have milestones and project activities that can be
completed within the agreed time frame.

6. Appropriateness of Methodology

The applicant should provide sufficient information (clear sequence of

stages & phases of the proposed methodology) for the evaluator to
determine whether the chosen methodology (new or established
methods/techniques) is appropriate to achieve the project objectives.

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 Approval Criteria of the Project

7. Deliverables
The applicant should be able to indicate clearly the type of
output expected, market size and able to demonstrate its
potential for commercialisation of new/innovative technologies
and/or new IPs derived from the project.

8. Financial Capability
Applicants should show proof of financial capability to
finance any portion of project cost not funded by Pre
Commercialisation Fund (TechnoFund).

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 Approval Criteria of the Project
9. Projection of the Project Costs
Detailed projection of the project costs must be provided. As for
purchase of equipment and acquisition of services, all the
relevant documents of the Pre Commercialisation Fund
(TechnoFund) guideline must be included in the project
proposals for evaluation.

10. Risk
The applicant must state the possible risks (technology
risk, financial risk and time risk) that may affect the
implementation or completion of the project.

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 Approval Criteria of the Project

11. Others
The applicant and collaborator(s) must fulfill other conditions
stipulated under the guidelines and policies of the Pre
Commercialisation Fund (TechnoFund).

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Reasons for Rejection

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 Reasons of Rejection
1. No Proof of Concept (POC) and weak of methodology;
2. Business model is not clear;
3. There is no novelty in the technology presented;
4. Weak project team;
5. The project is already successful and in the commercialisation
stage;
6. The project proposed is a common technology and has no value
added aspect;
7. Product already exist in market;
8. The project is just to assemble commercial components;
9. The main purpose of the project is to buy equipment and
provide services. No element of R&D and technology
development have been carried out; and
10. Proposal is still in the idea stages only.

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 Learning from experience
You had your proposal rejected/turn down??
Asked yourself what you had learned from the process. I
can say – you can easily learn 5-10 lessons that you
could take home – I am sure they were all good lessons.

Good, just learn from this experience

and don’t make the mistakes that the
losing proposals made.

You can vastly improve your

chance of success in proposal writing
 Way Forward

Strategic Way
Winning
Retreat Forward
Writing Winning Proosal
What is a research proposal?
• A document with two major objectives:
– To analyze and synthesize the existing
research about particular topic.
– Describe the researcher’s idea for a new
study.
• An art which the researcher wants to sell
in the market.
– Buyer needs to take it from the gallery.
– Suits to buyer’s pocket.
 Why I need a research
proposal
• It is prerequisite for getting fund
• Needs approval from the committee to
start the work
• It conceives the project
• It impresses the senior as a potential
researcher
• It serves as a contract between the
researcher and funder.
• Personal interest.
 Format and brevity are important
Steps for winning proposal
Grammar and spelling count
 Principal Components of
Research Proposals

Research Problem
Problem Solver

Research Design

Properly fit with sponsorship view points

 Basic concepts of research
proposal and Steps of research
proposal development
 Translate your ideas notes
into a written proposal.

It is easier than you think

Tips for successful proposal writing

• Creating writing routine.

– Writing at the same time and place improves
the writing skills and efficiency.
• Write with a dictionary, thesaurus, style
manual on hand.
– Word has these resources automatically
programmed.
– Choose right wording for right meaning
Summary of Research Proposal
• Good
– give a short but informative background to justify the
research hypothesis and objectives.
– Clearly state the hypothesis.
– State the objectives and/or aims of this proposal.
– State the impact, significance and innovation in this
proposal.
– Define acronyms as much as possible.
• Reject
– Technical and condensed phrasing of the project.
– No clear statement of what is the purpose of this
study.
 Be prepared for
• To make mistakes and to learn.
• To write and rewrite many times.
• To spend many hours looking for
information.
• To have your writing criticized.
• To feel confuse and hopeless some times.
 Before start writing ……..
• Do I have the clear research question?
• Have I read broadly and deeply in that
area?
• Have I discussed the topic with peers?
• Have I enough time and fund to start?
• Do I feel support from faculty and friends?
Developing Research Questions
Are the research objectives feasible?

Time? Sample size? Technical expertise?

Are the questions novel? Interesting? Useful?

Will the answers open up new areas of research?)

Is the scope of the study well focused?

Collecting too much data wastes time and money
What it should contain? It is
based on your clear research
question.
Selecting Project - Ideal Project
Important and needed
Novel
Not too much controversy

You have a strong background

Doable
Large room for new methodology

You have plenty of preliminary data

Easy to establish a collaboration team
 Selecting Project – Common Mistakes

“This issue has not been studied”

•“I like this issue”
Should be based on actual need
•Should be based on actual need

“I select this project because it doesn’t need new

methodology” • “Although this is not new, I
Should select a project that can use new have been doing this for
methods years”
• Innovation is critical

“This issue has been resolved in other cell types, but • “Although it is
this is new to my cell type” controversial, I can
Innovation will be questioned resolve it”
• Should avoid too much
controversy
 Conclusions

There is no secret to writing a

superior research proposal. Most
considerations are common sense
and come with experience. If you do
not succeed, try again. You need to
have an innovative idea that stands
out. Leveraging the budget and
doing your homework will help.
Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ)

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 FAQ

1. We are a newly established company. Due to that nature, we are unable to

provide certain documents that are required in the proposal form’s
checklist. How can we proceed?

In your application, please specify the document in question and provide

specific reasons for its unavailability. However, this rule does not apply to the
required fields in the application forms itself.

2. Can we use the fund to pay for employees salaries?

No. Pre Commercialisation Fund is to be used for development purposes only.

Salary comes under operational costs and should be borne by the entity. Kindly
also refer to the Pre Commercialisation Fund Guideline.

109
 FAQ
3. Once the project is approved, are we entitled to receive the entire approved
amount?
Entity is entitled to claim the entire approved amount, however, payment will be
made in stages as agreed in the agreement. Initial payment will be made upon the
return of signed duty-stamped agreement and subsequent payment will be on
reimbursable basis upon completion of each milestones. MOSTI will identify the
recommended amount to be reimbursed according to the physical progress and
financial performance of the project.

4. Are we required to pay back the money once the project is completed?

Pre Commercialisation Fund is a 100% grant given to qualified applicants; hence, no

repayment is needed. However, if the entity fails to abide the fund agreement and
guidelines, MOSTI could take necessary action according to the agreement, i.e.
including requires entity to repay the grant.

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 FAQ

5. Can we apply for extension of project completion date?

Yes with reasons and strong justifications. The cluster has the rights to disallow time
extensions if the justifications are not strong or raise any doubts.

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Thank You

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