Indonesia-Malaysia: Grand Challenge


Dates

Submission Deadline
06:00PM - Friday, 31 January 2025


Awards

The awards jointly funded by both Indonesia and Malaysia, are for the amount of MYR500,000 per project (for Malaysian side).



A. PROGRAMME BACKGROUND

Based on the Memorandum of Understanding between The National Research and Innovation Agency of The Republic of Indonesia (BRIN) and The Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) signed on 19 June 2024, this call is launched to enhance the cooperative activities in the field of research and development between two countries. The main objective of this call is to support research and development projects to promote scientific and technological cooperation between two countries through the synergy between both countries’ teams.


The aim of the call is to enhancing collaboration between Indonesian and Malaysian participants in the fields of science and industry, with a focus on thematic areas such as Natural Product Medicine, Agriculture Local Genetics Resources and Mechanization, and Vaccine Process and Technology Developments.



 B. SCOPE OF THE CALL


Within the framework of this call, the projects with the following objectives will be supported:


  • Producing a new product
  • Increasing the product quality or standards
  • Developing new techniques to reduce costs and increase standards
  • Developing new production technologies

 

The projects, focusing on research and experimental development, “technologically new or improved product”, and “technological process innovation” are preferred. Basic research projects are not supported within the scope of this call.


C. R&D STAGES TO BE SUPPORTED


The projects to be supported under this call are expected to include all or some of the following R&D stages:


  1. Technological/technical and economic feasibility study,
  2. Laboratory (or related) studies in the transition from concept to design,
  3. Design, prototype, testing and certification, market development
  4.  Pilot production and commercialization.
  5. After-sale and services

 

Investment-oriented projects for production or production infrastructure (including the purchase of facilities and looms) and projects without R&D content are not supported because of are not suitable for the program.



D. THEMATIC FIELD

Successful projects prepared in the fields below will be supported within the scope of the program. Proposals submitted in other fields will not be accepted. 

 


1.    Natural product medicine

This field focuses on the discovery, development, and application of medicinal products derived from natural sources. Research may include the identification of bioactive compounds, the development of extraction and purification methods, and the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy and safety.

 

2.    Agriculture local genetics resources and mechanization

This area aims to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability through the utilization of local genetic resources and the development of advanced mechanization techniques. Research may involve genetic improvement of crops and livestock, conservation of genetic diversity, and the design and implementation of innovative agricultural machinery.

 

3.    Vaccine process and technology developments

This field is dedicated to advancing the processes and technologies involved in vaccine development. Research may cover the entire vaccine production pipeline, including antigen discovery, formulation, production scale-up, and delivery systems, to improve vaccine efficacy, safety, and accessibility.

 


E. Eligibility Criteria

The project has to follow these general eligibility criteria and specific eligibility criteria:

 

E.1 General Eligibility Criteria



1.    Maximum project duration up to 3 years (36 months)extension beyond this period is not permitted.

2.    The project proposal must be within one or more of the specific research priority areas described in Section D.

3.    Indonesian and Malaysian-based teams must each be led by a Principal Investigator (PI) from each country.

4.    Each project should have a Project Coordinator who will be selected from the PIs of the proposal and this person is responsible for coordinating the whole consortium (Indonesia and Malaysia Collaboration).

 

E.2 Specific Eligibility Criteria for Indonesia Consortium:


  1. The Indonesian consortium must consist of at least one Indonesian research institution and one Indonesian company/SME, based in Indonesia.
  2. The Principal Investigator (PI) can be either from BRIN or another research entity with appropriate legal registration, for example, a university, academic hospital, or community organization.
  3. Other research institutions legally registered in Indonesia, excluding BRIN, must register with the Sistem Informasi Registrasi Lembaga Riset (SEBARIS): https://sebaris.brin.go.id/daftar, and comply with its requirement to meet the required administrative and legal obligations. 
  4. The PI submitting proposal to BRIN must be Indonesian citizen and must hold a doctoral degree (S3).
  5. The PI must have a research track record and expertise relevant to the proposed research. Team members must have either a relevant track record or clearly defined roles in the research project where their skill sets provide added value. All researchers (PI and team members) involved must submit their Curriculum Vitae, with their research track record detailed in the research experience section. 
  6. The PI and team members can be involved in a maximum of 2 (two) project proposals for the RIIM Kolaborasi Internasional Indonesia-Malaysia Grand Challenge funding, either as PI on 1 (one) proposal and team member on 1 (one) proposal, or as a team member on 2 (two) proposals.
  7. Agreements between Research Institutions and Indonesian companies/SMEs must be supported by at least a letter of commitment.

  

E.3 Specific Eligibility Criteria for Malaysia Consortium:


  1. The Malaysian consortium must consist of at least one Malaysian company/SME, based in Malaysia and one research institute, public organization or university.
  2. The PI can be either from the academy or, the public or private sector for the Malaysian team. The private sector from Malaysia must be a Malaysia-based business of any size that is registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia - https://www.ssm.com.my/.
  3. Interested parties or consortia will need to first register their interest via MIGHT’s online application system – https://applications.might.org.my/e/IMGC

 


F. FINANCIAL CONDITIONS

Financial contributions must be calculated and provided in compliance with the valid national legislation and internal regulations of the partner organisations.

 

F.1 Financial Conditions for the Indonesian Side

 

1.    This financial support under the RIIM Kolaborasi, funded by the investment gains of the Research Endowment Fund managed by the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education Agency (LPDP) under the Ministry of Finance. 

2.    BRIN will support up to IDR 1,000,000,000 (one billion rupiahs) per project per year (including researcher mobility and infrastructure sharing).

3.    The duration of the project shall be no longer than 3 (three) years in total from the start date. The amounts will be adjusted each year according to the evaluation and budgetary limitations.

4.    The utilization of this funding is restricted to specific purposes, and can only be used for:

a.    Consumables directly related to research

                                        i.     Raw materials or production components,

                                      ii.     Office supplies, and

                                     iii.     Equipment rental.

Please note that analytical/testing/measurement services that utilize equipment will be covered through e-Layanan Sains (Elsa) poin managed by the Deputy for Research and Innovation Infrastructure.

b.    Domestic official travel that directly related to research;

c.     Field staff honorarium (max IDR 80.000 per day per person)

d.    International travel will be covered through the researcher mobility scheme managed by the Directorate of Talent Management.

Please note that the researcher mobility scheme is exclusively for BRIN researchers only. However, Indonesian researchers from other institutions may apply for researcher mobility only if they collaborate with BRIN research group. Further information about the researcher mobility scheme, including its provisions and access to the BRIN research group database, can be found at https://manajementalenta.brin.go.id

5.    In addition to the above, please note that funding cannot be used for:

a.    Equipment/software purchases;

b.    Capital expenditure;

c.     Personnel expenses for PI, team members, and administrative staff;

d.    Expenses for organizing and hosting events (such as workshop, focus group discussion) outside the office of the respective institution;

e.    Expenses for publication and international conference (including registration and attending the international conference); and

f.      Indirect expenses such as communication costs.

 


 

F.2 Financial Conditions for the Malaysian Side



1.  Malaysian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can receive 75% of the approved budget; Malaysian large-scale enterprises can receive 60% of the approved budget. Higher education institutions, their institutes, and public R&D centres can receive 100% of the approved budget.

2.    The Malaysian team from the private sector, academy, or public sector, which is eligible for funding, can receive up to RM 500,000.00 (inclusive of 8% SST) of funding per proposal in total.

3.    The breakdown of the cost are as follows:


Example:



Category

Type

Percentage Limits

Notes

Human Resource costs 

Staff costs for personnel working directly on the grant-funded project.  

Limited to 30% of grant awarded

This includes on-costs such as superannuation and national insurance payments. 

Operational Costs 

Travel (economy class) and subsistence costs. 

limited to 20% of the grant

Only covers travel to the partner country (limited to 20% of the grant). 

Visa fees, vaccinations and medical insurance for travel essential to collaboration.

Only covers travel to the partner country 

Costs of meetings, training events, seminars and conferences integral to the collaboration. 

This can include short-term room hire, hire of audio-visual equipment (projectors, etc.) and stationery supplies (flip charts, etc.), refreshments.  

Consumables. 

 

Limited to 40% of grant awarded

Permission must be obtained from MIGHT before the purchase of equipment.  Criteria are normally: 

1.    Equipment is essential to delivery of the project and cannot be expected to be provided by institutions. 

2.    Equipment will be used in the partner country and will remain there on project completion.   

Specialist software licences essential to the collaboration. 

Limited to 10% of grant awarded 

 


G.       Project Proposal Submission

1.    The joint project proposals (identical copies) must be submitted to both partner organisations in parallel. 

2.    The partners should agree with each other using their means of communication and jointly develop and complete their project proposals before submitting them to BRIN and MIGHT. BRIN and MIGHT do not match the collaborating partners.

3.    The Joint project proposals must provide detailed information on the objectives and justification of the planned joint research work, the methodology to be followed, the composition of each research team and the intended schedule.

4.    Because projects are bilateral, they must demonstrate equivalence in effort from the Malaysian and Indonesian partners. The project must have one common work plan with both the Malaysia and Indonesia partners having main roles and responsibilities.

5.    The size of the grant may vary depending on the needs of each project and must be fully justified. Applicants need to ensure that supported elements of the proposal abide by all regulations for both funding agencies.

 

G.1 Project Proposal Submission detail for the Indonesian side



1.    Indonesia consortium should submit the project proposal through the BRIN Pendanaan system:https://pendanaan-risnov.brin.go.id.

2.    The Indonesian PI must register the email addresses of all Indonesian researchers in the research consortium. Each member must confirm their participation in the project on the BRIN Pendanaan system: https://pendanaan-risnov.brin.go.id.

3.    Proposal submitted to BRIN must be accompanied by additional documents such as: a signed approval sheet from an authorized official of the institution (please follow attachment 1), the Curriculum Vitae of the Indonesian PI and all team members, and the proposed budget details (RAB).

4.   Submission of project proposals by fax, e-mail, or other online system will not be accepted.

5.  Submission will be considered ineligible if the proposal documents are not submitted by the deadline through both submission systems.

 

G.2 Project Proposal Submission detail for the Malaysian side



Malaysian partners will need to first register their interest via MIGHT’s online application system http://applications.might.org.my/e/IMGC.

 


 


H. EVALUATION AND SELECTION


Projects are evaluated by BRIN and MIGHT jointly according to the evaluation procedures. Only the proposals which are accepted by the two sides will be funded. The proposals will be reviewed according to a certain set of evaluation criteria:

 

 

Criteria

Description

Accepted Evidence

1

Scientific/Technological Excellence (20%)

This criterion assesses the novelty and innovation of the proposed research. It ensures that the project contributes significantly to advancing knowledge or technology.

Detailed literature review, research objectives, and expected outcomes demonstrating the project’s potential to advance the field.

2

Methodology (20%)

A robust and well-defined methodology is crucial for the project’s success. It ensures that the research is conducted systematically and reliably.

Comprehensive research plan, experimental design, data collection methods, and analysis techniques.

3

Project Management (20%)

Effective project management ensures that the project stays on track, within budget, and meets its objectives. It involves planning, organizing, and managing resources.

Project timeline, resource allocation, risk management plan, and team roles and responsibilities.

4

International Collaboration (15%)

This criterion emphasizes the value of cross-border collaboration, which can enhance the project’s quality through diverse perspectives and expertise.

Collaboration agreements, roles of international partners, and plans for communication and coordination between teams.

5

Impact (25%)

The potential impact of the project on society, industry, or the scientific community is crucial. It assesses the project’s broader benefits and applicability.

Expected societal, economic, or scientific benefits, plans for dissemination and exploitation of results, and potential for future research or commercialization.


 I. Research Ethics and Regulatory Requirements 

As the research projects will be carried out by multiple project partners, the basis of collaboration between the project partners, including ownership of intellectual property (IP) generated during the project and rights to exploitation, and IP management is expected to be set out in an Intellectual Property Management Agreement between the PIs involved. It is the responsibility of the PIs to put such an agreement in place and to be provided when requested by funding agencies. The funding for approved projects will be released upon submission of the IP Management agreements to the respective funding agencies on both sides. The terms of collaboration must not conflict with the funding agencies’ terms and conditions and national law.

 

I.1 Research Ethics and Regulatory Requirements for the Indonesian Side

The Indonesia team shall comply with the ethical clearance from the Ethics Committee before the research commences. Foreign parties involved in the joint research activities who will conduct research activities in Indonesia have to obtain research permit. To obtain a research permit, foreign parties must apply for Research Ethical Clearance and foreign research permit request. This application is done through the Research Ethical Clearance information system: https://klirensetik.brin.go.id

 

I.2 Research Ethics and Regulatory Requirements for the Malaysian Side

The Malaysian team shall comply with the principles and practices as stated in the Malaysian Code of Responsible Conduct in Research. Link: https://www.akademisains.gov.my/asm-publication/the-malaysian-code-of-responsible-conduct-in-research-2nd-edition/




J.           Contact



Indonesian SideMalaysian Side
Contact Person

Dr. Ajeng Arum Sari

Director of Research and Innovation Funding



BRIN

Mr. Ahmad Razif Mohamad

Head of International Partnership Unit

President & CEO’s Office

MIGHT

Address

Direktorat Pendanaan Riset dan Inovasi - Deputi Bidang Fasilitasi Riset dan Inovasi

Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional

 

Gedung B.J. Habibie, 8th Floor,

Jalan M.H. Thamrin No. 8 

Jakarta, Indonesia 10340

Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT)

MIGHT Partnership Hub, Jalan Impact Cyberjaya, Selangor 63000 Malaysia

Tel+62 811-1064-6771+60 19 7783517/ +60 135023123
E-maildana-risnov@brin.go.id international@might.org.my
URLhttps://pendanaan-risnov.brin.go.idhttps://applications.might.org.my/e/IMGC



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Enquiries



Contact Person:
MIGHT International

Telephone:
+60126571148 (Puan Noran) / +60135023123 (Anis)

Email:
international@might.org.my