Research Grant Funding Opportunities in Asia-Pacific Region R esearch C entre for C linical and C ommunity P ractice I nnovation (RCCCPI) Asia-Pacific Research Symposium 1-2 July 2008 Prof David Arthur Head, Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, NUS

Shift of the world’s economic and political centre of gravity E.g. China and India Government directives E.g. Singapore Research Grant and Funding Opportunities are influenced by: olitical Circumstances conomic Circumstances Governments’ relative wealth and desire to progress research in their own country and desire to help poorer neighbours E.g. Singapore, HK, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Indonesia

East meets west Diversity and disparity Research Grant and Funding Opportunities are influenced by: Quality of scholars Foreigners for aid or part of workforce Sustainability and capacity building ocial and cultural practices cademic Influences

Above all how does the motivation and finance filter down to the work force?

Hong Kong and Singapore Experiences in Health Care Research Relatively small homogeneous societies Government directives are clear and well understood Faculties are generous in awarding small grants up to A$40-50K Universities are generous in awarding grants up to A$100K Government has ‘tough’ competitive grants: CERG in HK: A$200K NMRC in Singapore: A$1million

Hong Kong and Singapore Experiences in Health Care Research Singapore has large collaborative government grants of around S$10million e.g. colon cancer consortium, aged care Overseas talent and collaborations with business and universities Singapore is about twice as generous and this is reflected in the health care system Money goes much further in Asia: RA’s in poorer countries Generous donations +++

Public sector R&D budget was more than doubled to $13.55 billion $5 billion for National Research Foundation (NRF) $5.4 billion for the Agency for Science, Technology (A*STAR) $1.05 billion for academic research $2.1 billion for Economic Development Board (EDB) to promote private sector R&D

Five Strategic Thrusts For the National R&D Agenda Intensify national R&D spending to achieve 3% of GDP by 2010 Identify and invest in strategic areas of R&D Fund a balance of basic and applied research within strategic areas Provide resources and support to encourage private sector R&D Strengthen linkages between public and private sector R&D

Observations in China China recognizes the change in health care demographics and is embracing the need for health care research Research funding is often through overseas funds and not not strong in nursing who rely on overseas collaborations and private sector What about our pacific neighbours?