SINGAPORE — As one of three new major programmes to strengthen and grow the research sector here, the Government is launching a new scheme to lure home top scientists who are currently based overseas.

The Returning Singaporean Scientists Scheme was launched today at the conclusion of the 7th Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council meeting. It aims to encourage leading researchers in their field to come back and take up leadership positions in Singapore.

Scientists may choose to start as Visiting Fellows before converting to full employment, or take up full time employment immediately.

For the latter option, the university or research institutions will offer a ‘competitive package’, and the scientist will also receive five years of funding support from the National Research Foundation.

Another programme announced today was the National Cybersecurity Research and Development Programme, which aims to protect Singapore’s critical infrastructure and improve the resiliency of its cyberinfrastructure. The Government will invest S$130 million over five years to support research efforts in threats detection, analysis and defence and cyberspace governance research, among others.

To encourage research in the private sector, the Government will also pump S$200 million into an innovation cluster programme over the next five years. This programme will encourage collaborations between the Government, research institutes and companies in four areas: Diagnostics, speech and language technologies, membranes and additive manufacturing.