Grants

Heritage Research Grant

The Heritage Research Grant (HRG) aims to encourage institutes of higher learning (IHLs), think tanks, heritage NGOs, academics and researchers to embark on heritage-related research for the documentation and preservation of Singapore’s heritage and its connectivity to the region.

Applicants should have a strong track record in academic research and demonstrate a keen interest in Singapore’s heritage.

For more information, please refer to Heritage Research Grant Application Guidelines. You may also wish to consult the list of successful Heritage Research Grant Projects in FY15-23.

Research Areas and Priority Research Themes

There are five (5) Core Research Areas for the HRG Grant Call, namely Singapore Pre-History and History; Intangible Cultural Heritage; Tangible Heritage; Ethnic Heritage; and Comparative Studies of Singapore and Southeast Asia. Proposals must align with at least one Core Research Areas to be eligible for application.

The seven (7) Priority Research Themes for HRG released from 02/FY2023 supports NHB's Our SG Heritage Plan 2.0 (HP2.0) to prioritise proposals that align with HP2.0's focus areas and NHB-wide research agenda. The priority research themes include:

1. Maritime Heritage;
2. Heritage and Well-being;
3. Sustainability in Built Heritage;
4. Pedagogy / Museum-Based Learning;
5. Heritage Businesses;
6. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Heritage; and
7. Innovative Technologies in Heritage.

Please refer to the table here for detailed information on the Core Research Areas and Priority Research Themes.

How and when to apply?

HRG Grant Call 02/FY2023 is now closed. The schedule and themes for the next round of grant call will be published here once the grant call is announced.

There are two cycles of HRG Grant Calls opening in January/July every year, and each window opens for 2 months for applications. The next HRG grant call opens in January 2024.

To apply, please refer to the Heritage Research Grant’s profile on the OurSG Grants portal.

Applications are only accepted through OurSG Grants portal via your IHL/NGO’s Corppass account. For more information about Corppass, please visit the FAQs.

What does the Grant support?

The HRG funding quantum is capped at S$150,000 per research project (maximum 2-year project period), and the grant supports research costs including manpower costs, costs associated with conducting research works and fieldwork, as well as any indirect/ancillary research costs charged by the applicant’s institution. For 1-year projects, the maximum quantum is S$75,000.

For proposals whose research topic and/or methodology are more novel or experimental in nature, and for researchers who are new to the field of heritage research, applicants are encouraged to consider the 1-year project grant of up to S$75,000. The output of such proposals could be a proof of concept. These proposals should address at least 1 Priority Research theme and have at least 1 heritage expert on the research team.

Who may I write to for assistance?

If you have any queries or wish to discuss your application, please contact the HRG Secretariat at heritage_research@nhb.gov.sg.

If you have any queries to apply via OurSG Grant portal, please visit the FAQs.