How Singapore's S$37bn investment in research and innovation will drive real-world impact

Singapore navigates intensifying global competition, demographic shifts, climate pressures and rapid technological change. From improving population health and sustaining manufacturing competitiveness, to accelerating decarbonisation and building trusted digital capabilities, much of our future depends on how effectively research translates into real-world outcomes.

The Research, Innovation, Enterprise (RIE) 2030 plan, is therefore sharpening focus on high-impact sectors, accelerating research from lab to market, and nurturing our talent base for long-term competitiveness.

Guided by RIE2030, A*STAR continues to play a central role in connecting scientific discovery with industry and societal needs. By building shared research platforms, strengthening translation pathways and convening partnerships across academia, industry and government, A*STAR is turning research excellence into real-world solutions.

Semiconductors: Anchoring Singapore as a Key Node in Global Value Chains

Led by A*STAR and EDB, the Semiconductor RIE Flagship will strengthen Singapore’s role in the global semiconductor R&D ecosystem by expanding high-value R&D and advanced manufacturing. It will also enable deep-tech start-ups and local enterprises to scale through advanced semiconductor innovation.

An example of A*STAR’s capabilities in this area – its recent collaboration with GlobalFoundries aims to advance silicon photonics technologies, leveraging deep R&D capabilities to enable scalable manufacturing, strengthen supply chain resilience, and reinforce Singapore’s position in next-generation semiconductor value chains. 

Learn more: https://for.edu.sg/astar-globalfoundries

Biomedtech and Biomanufacturing: Translating Science into Global Ventures

Singapore’s biomedtech ecosystem has made good progress, with A*STAR spin-offs such as Mirxes, Lucence, Respiree and Nuevocor demonstrating global commercial traction.

Under RIE2030, A*STAR is strengthening this pipeline by advancing research and translation to develop high-quality, commercial innovations. Translational platforms such as the Diagnostics Development Hub (DxD Hub), Experimental Drug Development Centre (EDDC), and Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Initiative (NATi) reduce development risk, shorten time-to-market, and connect researchers with industry partners and investors.

Read success stories: https://for.edu.sg/innovate-with-astar

Human Potential: Contributing to Improvements in Health and Healthcare

Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) – Singapore’s largest and most comprehensive birth cohort study – has generated valuable research data that has informed Singapore’s approach to early-life and family health. Its findings have supported national policies and guidance on screening for gestational diabetes in pregnant women, as well as screen use and eating habits for young children.

Building on this foundation, A*STAR supports the Integrative Adolescence Research Programme (IARP), which brings together six major cohorts, including GUSTO, to deepen understanding of the biological, psychosocial, digital and environmental factors shaping adolescent development. These insights inform evidence-based interventions that support healthier life trajectories, workforce readiness and long-term societal outcomes. 

Learn more: https://for.edu.sg/astar-iadore

Digital Technologies: Scaling AI and Quantum Responsibly

AI and quantum technologies are becoming foundational to productivity and competitiveness, but their value depends on real-world deployability and trust. The collaboration between National Quantum Office and Quantinuum, will see the world-class Helios quantum computer hosted in Singapore from 2026, alongside a new R&D and Operations Centre to advance applied research, talent development and industry-relevant quantum applications.

Under RIE2030, A*STAR will deepen AI engineering and quantum translation capabilities to help organisations turn frontier R&D into solutions that scale securely and responsibly.

Watch: Strengthening Singapore’s Quantum Ecosystem Through Global Collaboration

Decarbonisation: Bridging Research and Real-World Adoption

Urban Solutions and Sustainability research contributes to a more sustainable and resilient Singapore. To enable innovative solutions to work under real industrial conditions, the Low-Carbon Technology Translational Testbed (LCT³), hosted by A*STAR ISCE² on Jurong Island, enables companies to test and scale low-carbon technologies, from carbon utilisation to hydrogen and sustainable fuels, in a live industrial environment.
By reducing technical risk and shortening time to deployment, LCT³ strengthens Singapore’s position as an industry-led low-carbon R&D and innovation hub.

Discover more about LCT3: https://for.edu.sg/astar-lct3

Talent: Powering the Innovation Engine

Talent remains the backbone of the RIE ecosystem. A*STAR has trained more than 1,900 PhD scholars since 2001, with over 80% remaining active in Singapore’s RIE ecosystem across academia, public research and industry.

Looking ahead, A*STAR is nurturing local talent through new scholarships in areas such as quantum computing and semiconductors. At the same time, it is attracting international research and entrepreneurial talent through initiatives such as the Entrepreneurial Investigatorship, and the Singapore Research Attachment Programme.

Learn more: https://for.edu.sg/astar-quantum-semicon-scholarships
 

The article was first published on A*STAR’s LinkedIn. For more information, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg.