Singapore Horizon Europe Complementary Fund

Who qualifies

• Must be registered in Singapore.
• Either Singapore-based researchers from publicly funded research institutions, or companies carrying out research and innovation aligned with Singapore's RIE key areas, may apply.
• Companies must partner with a publicly funded research institution in Singapore, which serves as host institution.
• Eligible publicly funded host institutions are Autonomous Universities, A*STAR research institutes, CREATE entities, polytechnics, public healthcare institutions, and research institutes affiliated with them.
• Researchers must hold a primary and/or joint appointment at an eligible host institution with at least 9 months per calendar year in Singapore, or be an international researcher with an existing NRF-supported CREATE residency commitment in Singapore.
• Researchers must be accomplished Principal Investigators with leadership, mentorship and productive-research track records, and have reasonable project time commitment.
• Companies must be ACRA-registered and operating in Singapore, have compliant governance and filings, at least one ordinarily resident director aged at least 18 who has full legal capacity and is not disqualified, and appoint a Singapore-resident company secretary within 6 months of incorporation; the sole director and secretary cannot be the same person.
• For a company-nominated Principal Investigator, company directors or key officers must endorse the Principal Investigator.
• Companies must have at least 30% local equity held directly or indirectly by Singapore citizens and/or permanent residents, determined by ultimate individual ownership.
• Companies must be financially capable of completing the project, supported by audited financial statements or certified management accounts for the last financial year.
• Support is for Research and Innovation Actions, Innovation Actions, and Coordination and Support Actions launching in 2026-2027 under Horizon Europe Pillar II Thematic Clusters 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6; Cluster 2 is outside scope, and Cluster 3 proposals must meet Singapore priorities and be checked with NRF.
• Permitted Missions are Adaptation to Climate Change; Cancer; Healthy Oceans, Seas, Coastal and Inland Waters; Climate-neutral and Smart Cities; and Soil Health and Food.
• Minimum local shareholding (%): 30.

What it funds

• R&D, product development, prototyping, IP

Costs covered: Internal staff salary attributable to the project; Hardware, machinery, IT equipment; Overseas travel and logistics; Explain in notes.

Maximum support: up to 100%.

Researchers from publicly funded research institutions: 100% of direct costs plus indirect costs equal to 25% of direct costs. Companies: 50% for SMEs and 30% for larger companies; company indirect costs are not supported. An SME has group annual sales turnover not exceeding S$100 million OR a group employment base of no more than 200 employees.

No funding cap is stated. Eligible items include manpower, equipment, other operating expenses, overseas travel, research scholarships, and other NRF-approved expenses.

Payment: Paid after the company incurs the cost and files a claim.

How to apply

Submit the SG-HE Complementary Fund application through the Research Grants Portal for an open or upcoming eligible Horizon Europe Pillar II call.

1. Join a consortium of at least 3 independent entities from 3 different countries, including at least 1 entity from an EU member state.
2. Fill in the application form and submit a draft or copy of the Horizon Europe Pillar II proposal, including the tasks to be implemented by the Singapore entity.
3. NRF checks applicant eligibility, alignment with national RIE priorities, and contribution to Singapore's RIE capabilities before conveying in-principle approval.
4. After the Horizon Europe proposal is awarded, provide the final proposal, Evaluation Summary Report and signed Consortium Agreement to NRF.

Before applying

• The Singapore entity must participate as a partner, not project coordinator, in an eligible Horizon Europe Pillar II consortium.
• The organisation should register for a Participant Identification Code so the consortium coordinator can list it as a partner.

Documents

• SG-HE Complementary Fund application form — The deck states that applicants fill in a form but does not state its file format.
• Draft or copy of the Horizon Europe Pillar II proposal — Must include the specific tasks to be implemented by the Singapore entity.
• Final Version of the Horizon Europe Proposal (if applicable) — Required after successful Horizon Europe award as a condition of NRF support.
• Evaluation Summary Report (if applicable) — Required after successful Horizon Europe award as a condition of NRF support.
• Signed Consortium Agreement (if applicable) — Required after successful Horizon Europe award as a condition of NRF support.

Claiming support

NRF reimburses the host institution quarterly; the host institution collates expenses, further disburses funds and manages the awarded project.

Contact: NCP@nrf.gov.sg

Application window: The call opens in April 2026 and remains open on a rolling basis through 31 December 2027. Applicants may apply before or after the consortium submits its Horizon Europe proposal.

Closes: 2027-12-31