Clean Energy Research Programme (CERP)

I. General information
What is the type of the document?:
Programme

Country:

Title of the programme/strategy:
Clean Energy Research Programme (CERP)

Title of the programme/strategy:
Clean Energy Research Programme (CERP)

Keywords:

Overview:
CERP aims to kick start the R+D activities in Clean Energy in Singapore. R+D proposals will be received through calls for proposals in specific themes identified by CEPO, the Clean Energy Programme Office, (top-down approach) or in open-theme calls (bottom-up approach). This programme will be instrumental in helping to develop the technological capabilities needed to accelerate the growth of the Clean Energy industry in Singapore. Under this programme, Singapore-based local and foreign R+D organisations, including institutes of higher learning (IHLs), public sector agencies, private sector companies and not-for-profit research laboratories are encouraged to bid competitively for the research funding.

Background and rationale:
The research programme on Clean Energy rides on Singapore's clean and green image, and is a natural extension of our environmental sustainability track record. While the Clean Energy industry comprises a broad range of areas including renewables, energy efficiency and carbon services, solar energy has been identified as a main focus area. Singapore's strong capabilities in the electronics, precision engineering and chemical sectors, coupled with manufacturing and process automation know-how, an extensive supplier base and intellectual property protection, place us in good stead to grow a world-class solar industry.

II. Detailed information
Start date:
30/10/2007

Expected end date:
30/10/2012

Research policy priorities targeted:

Additional remarks:
Supports both upstream and downstream interdisciplinary and commercially-relevant research. CERP seeks both basic and applied research projects which pursue innovative and novel ideas in the Clean Energy space.

Relation to other programmes/strategies:
part of the NRF's Strategic Research Programme on Environmental and Water Technologies (see: http://www.nrf.gov.sg/nrf/strategic.aspx?id=146) which has two components: - Clean Water - Clean Energy The CERP is one of several initiatives within the Clean Energy component, identified as a focus area within the EWT-field by the authorities in 2007. Overall budget for the NRF's Strategic Research Programmes (three areas, including EWT): around S$ 1.5 bio. S$ 500 mio. of the overall sum are dedicated to the EWT focus area, thereof S$ 330mio. to Clean Water and S$ 170 mio. to Clean Energy.

The programme/strategy was inspired by:

Geographic coverage:
Singapore

Target group(s):

Additional remarks:
Open to Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), public sector agencies, not for-profit organisations and private sector companies based in Singapore. Proposals from research consortia involving partners from international organisations are also welcome. Funding support up to 100% of qualifying costs for Institutes of Higher Learning, public sector agencies and not-for-profit research laboratories. 70% for companies and company-affiliated research entities.

Research themes and disciplines of research targeted:
Clean Energy, with a focus on solar energy. This was the domain of the first two calls for proposals under the CERP closed in January and, respectively, December 2008. See also: https://rita.nrf.gov.sg/cerp/default.aspx https://rita.nrf.gov.sg/ewi/CERP_02/default.aspx Future calls will address other fields of clean energy like fuel cells and wind.

Target fields:

Overall implementation structure of the programme/strategy:
Managed by the Clean Energy Programm Office (CEPO); there is a series of calls for proposals with thematic focus (e.g. on solar energy), inviting potential beneficiaries to submit project proposals with a duration of up to 3 years.

Management structure:
Managed by the Clean Energy Programm Office (CEPO); Evaluation Process - First round international peer review by recognised experts in Clean Energy. - Final assessment by CEPO’s ProjectProject Evaluation Panel (PEP) comprising eminent international and local members. The PEP will then evaluate and recommend the proposals for CEPO’s consideration for funding support.

Selection of projects:
Assessment Criteria Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria: - High-technical-merit science that is novel, internationally competitive and can lead to breakthrough results; - Excellent execution by an experienced research team with a good track record and whose members have the relevant and complementary expertise; - Economic benefits to Singapore in terms of commercialisation spin-offs as well as manpower development.

Mode of funding:

Eligible costs:

Additional remarks:
allowable: - Manpower costs for R+D staff recruited specifically for project (local and foreign) - COLA and Airfare (Capped at $6K/trip) for training - equipment: New Equipment costing >$100K must be justified; Publication Costs (Capped at $1K/paper) - services: Non-research work (eg. Development of tools for research) - exceptional items: Equipment costing more than S$100,000, Infrastructural work needed to carry out the research, ...

Overall budget of the programme:
24.640.000,-

Overall budget of the programme:
50000000

Additional comments:
over 5 years

III. Results, Evaluation and Impact
Measurement of outcomes:
Yes

Programme evaluation:

Additional remarks:
project evaluation: A summary of the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the project should be provided. The KPIs proposed should be linked to the objectives of the project and provide appropriate means of tracking/measuring the success of the project.

IV. How to find out more
Information source:
http://https://rita.nrf.gov.sg/ewi

Funding agency:
National Research Foundation (NRF) http://www.nrf.gov.sg/nrf/default.aspx

Launching agency:
National Research Foundation http://www.nrf.gov.sg/nrf/default.aspx

Administering agency:
- National Research Foundation http://www.nrf.gov.sg/nrf/default.aspx - Clean Energy Programm Office http://www.sedb.com/edb/sg/en_uk/index/industry_sectors/clean_energy.html

Correspondent institution:
NRF

Correspondent contact details:
Ms Wong Mee Kim grantmanager(at)vendor.gov.sg +65 6516-6934 +65 6832-6018 Clean Energy Programme Office c/o: Economic Development Board #18-00, Raffles City Tower 250 North Bridge Road Singapore 179101

Date of submission:
22/12/2008 17:07

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