Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore and US-based non-profit Activate will launch a new fellowship programme to support early-stage science and technology entrepreneurs in Singapore.
Announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong at the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH), the new fellowship programme, named Activate Global Fellows – Singapore, will feature a S$12 million commitment to support up to 20 science fellows and 20 co-fellows over the next three years.
This will be funded by National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF) and supported by Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), which will provide founders with potential access to additional funding as well as its extensive network of ecosystem partners – including investors, corporates and infrastructure providers.
Adapted from Activate’s flagship programme in the United States, which has supported nearly 300 fellows since 2015, the Singapore-adapted version marks the organisation’s first international expansion outside of the US.
Hosted by NTU Singapore, the fellowship is open to all Singapore scientists and engineers with early-stage innovations that have the potential for commercial and social impact, who are seeking to build new ventures around these ideas.
It will focus on key deep tech areas such as advanced materials, robotics, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and life sciences, among others.
Fellows will receive a one-year support package, which includes a cash allowance, funding for business growth activities and resources for deep immersion in the US market. They can also nominate one scientific co-founder to be selected as a co-fellow, who can then join the fellowship activities.
Formalised at SWITCH with a Memorandum of Understanding, the initiative supports Singapore’s national push to grow its deep tech ecosystem through collaborations with Singapore Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), Autonomous Universities (AUs) and research agencies.
