top of page

< Back to Research Fund Page

Frequently Asked Questions

Before Application

01. What kind of research topics are eligible for the Fund? 

 Topics that fit under the following themes are eligible to be funded. 

  1. Educational, Social, and Community-related studies; 

  2. Economic welfare and related studies; and 

  3. Psychological and emotional well-being and related studies 

02. I am conducting a research study as a group. Can I apply ?

Yes, only one representative from your group needs to fill up the application form. If you are applying as a group, please include the names of all group members in the application form. Please also provide the details of every group member in the form. 

03. Do you accept research studies that are not affiliated with a university? 

Yes. We accept studies from community organisations that are not affiliated with universities or academic institutions. As long as the Applicants have relevant experience, knowledge and capabilities to conduct research on communities, they are eligible to apply for the Fund. 

04. Do I need to obtain ethics approval before I apply?

If you are applying for funding for a research study that your university supports, you are required to obtain ethics approval from the Institutional Board Review. If an academic institution does not support your research, you will need to undergo clearance from the SINDA Research Subcommittee. 

06. Is there a deadline for the application? 

The deadline for the application is 5 August. Applications that are submitted after the deadline will not be considered for funding. 

05. What is considered original research?

We look for studies that have the potential to generate impactful knowledge about the Singaporean Indian community. Studies should be based on original ideas that are grounded in evidence-based research. 

07. What is the eligibility for the Fund? 

Please refer to the SINDA Research Fund page to view the eligibility criteria. 

08. What could cause my application to be eliminated from consideration? 

Applicants need to adhere to the SRF's Terms and Conditions on the SINDA website. SINDA will not consider incomplete applications (e.g. missing any of the required documentation, incomplete documents, etc.). 

​

If an application submitted to SINDA is incomplete or has information missing, the Applicant may be contacted by SINDA and asked for further information or documentation. 

​

An Applicant will be provided up to five (5) working days to submit the relevant information/ documentation. If the information is not provided within this time, SINDA will then decide on the eligibility status of the application and may reject the application. Rejected applications will not be reviewed/considered for funding. 

During Application

09. How do I apply for the SINDA Research Fund? 

To apply, please fill up the SINDA Research Fund Application Form and submit the completed form on the website. 

10. When will I be notified of the outcome of my application? 

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within 6 weeks. 

11. What is the evaluation process? 

The submitted applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  1. Relevance of proposed study to the Singapore Indian community.

  2. Clear articulation of feasible research questions and scope of enquiry.

  3. Ability to fill a gap in the literature or knowledge.

  4. Credentials of organisation/individual, including academic qualifications or relevant experience with the community. Applicants should demonstrate good standing and solvency.

  5. Originality of research. Applicants should not plagiarise from another study.

  6. Relevance to the three main research pillars of the SRF (refer to Question 3 for more details):

    • Social relations and conditions that impact the lives of Singapore Indians.

    • Economic welfare of the Singapore Indian community.

    • Psychological and emotional well-being of Singapore Indians.

12. What is the selection process? 

  1. Applicants will be evaluated based on their submitted applications. 

  2. Applications will be evaluated based on the proposed study's relevance to the Singapore Indian community and any other considerations. Please refer to the site (link) for more details on topics covered by the Fund. 

  3. Successful/unsuccessful Applicants will be notified via e-mail. 
    Note: SINDA reserves the right of discretion and non-disclosure of reasons for unsuccessful applications. Decisions made by SINDA are final, and appeals will not be entertained. 

13. What components are funded by the SRF?

​The SINDA Research Fund supports expenses related to conducting the research study. The budget would cover selected direct and indirect research costs. All costs will be subject to SINDA's approval.

14. What components are not funded by the SRF?

Honorariums for Principal Investigators, tuition fees, meals, or expenses already met by the university or the organisation. All other costs may be subject to SINDA's approval.

15. I have been awarded a fund for my research from another organisation(s)/IHL(s). Can I apply? 

​Yes, you may apply as long as your application is for expenses not covered by the funds(s) from another organisation(s)/IHL(s). Please declare your funding sources and the costs covered in the application form.

16. SINDA has awarded me a Fund to cover part of my research expenses. Can I apply for a separate fund from another organisation? 

You may apply as long as your application is for expenses that SINDA does not cover. Please declare your funding sources and the expenses covered in the final report.

17. What is the maximum fund amount? 

The maximum amount that can be availed under this Funding is SGD 10,000.

18. Are there certain types of studies not eligible for SRF Funding?

  1. Applications that do not address the Singapore Indian community's related problems and issues.

  2. Research studies which are not based in Singapore.

  3. Applications that do not adhere to SINDA's stipulated deadlines.

  4. Research that duplicates publications that have already been produced or that are not original.

  5. Research that is discriminatory or offensive. 6. Research that focuses on political issues and/or religious issues.

After the Application

19. What are the Deliverables and Reporting processes?

At the end of the study, Fund Recipient must provide SINDA with a copy of their research study and submit a final report. Please refer to Questions 28 and 29 for further information. 

20. When exactly are the funds disbursed? 

All successful Applicants will receive the Fund amount in two tranches. Two tranches will be released after the signing of the Funding Agreement and the submission of the final report 

21. Can I request additional Funds if my application has been approved?

The SINDA Research Fund is a one-time award. However, requests for additional Funding may be considered on an exceptional basis for studies that are subsequently extended in-depth or scope as merited by the circumstances.

22. Is there a bond for the SINDA Research Fund?

No, there is no bond for the SINDA Research Fund.

23. Do I need to submit any proof of expenditure
(i.e., receipts)? 

Yes. Successful Applicants will be required to submit receipts for all items. Please remove any identifying personal information that violates PDPA laws on receipts before submitting them to SINDA. 

24. Do I have to return any unspent portion of the Fund? 

Yes, if you have spent less than the sum awarded to you for the study, you will be required to return the unspent portion of the Fund to SINDA. 

25. What obligations should successful Applicants fulfil? 

Successful Applicants must acknowledge in their publications that SINDA supported the study. In any public communications, successful Applicants should acknowledge SINDA's support in any media materials. The following acknowledgement statement should be inserted: "This study is supported by the Singapore Indian Development Association under the SINDA Research Fund." Where applicable, the following disclaimer should be included in any related published materials: "Any viewpoints expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of the Singapore Indian Development Association."

​

The successful Applicant must submit a final report detailing their activities and submit receipts for Fund usage. 

26. What type of contract/agreement do I have to sign to receive the funding? 

The Funding Agreement will be signed between the successful Applicant and SINDA and issued according to Singapore regulations. Once signed, a simple process for the release of Funds will follow. 

27. What kind of reporting is expected from successful applicants? 

Successful Applicants of the Fund are required to provide one final report using templates provided by SINDA. The reports must be submitted at the completion of the study and no longer than thirty (30) days after the study activities have finished. 

 

All reports are subject to approval by SINDA, and the final tranche of Funds will be released after the submitted report is approved in writing by SINDA. 

28. Are there obligations that successful Fund Applicants must fulfil? 

Successful Fund Applicants should acknowledge in their dissertations that the study was supported by the SINDA Research Fund and notify SINDA if the research has been subsequently presented or published elsewhere. Upon completing the study, the Applicant must submit one softcopy of the dissertation/final research and submit a 200 – 500-word summary of key findings. 

29. What happens if successful Fund Applicants make changes to their study or if there are variations? 

Successful Applicants are required to inform the SRF Administrator of any changes via e-mail. Significant changes to a study's research questions, topic and methods will have to undergo review before the Fund amount is approved. If you are unsure if the SRF Administrator in charge of your application needs to be informed of the changes made, kindly contact them for further clarification. The following documents are required for review of revised fund applications: (1) Updated estimated costs form, (2) Updated IRB or ethics approval letter and (3) One-page write-up on original, revised plans for study and reasons for the changes. 

30. How are Intellectual Property (IP) rights allocated within the SRF? 

SINDA shall adhere to the IP Policies of the organisation or institution. The owners of the IPRs will remain with the organisation or the institution that the author is part of unless stated otherwise. IPRs will be decided in discussion with all relevant stakeholders if needed. 

31. How is collected data managed within the SRF? 

The Personal Data Protection Act 2012 policy governs the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data submitted to SINDA, pages of www.sinda.org.sg, and explains how we collect and handle personal data of individuals and comply with the requirements of the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 of Singapore and its regulation(s) ("PDPA"). 

32. Withdrawal, Suspension or Termination of Funds 

Any discrepancy in report(s), invoice(s), receipts or other proof of payment for the study identified by SINDA may result in withdrawal or cancellation of the Fund or subsequent Funds as the case may be in relation to the study at SINDA's sole and absolute discretion. 

33. Other Terms and Conditions 

The Fund is not transferable and must not be used for any purpose other than the approved study. All concerned costs must be factored into the application submission. 

​

SINDA reserves the right to revise these Guidelines at any time. Successful Applicants/PIs will be informed accordingly. In the event of any inconsistency between these Guidelines or any other document and the Terms and Conditions, the Terms and Conditions shall prevail.

​

All Applicants shall not inform or broadcast to the media (including print, online and social media) about their application for SRF, the related application process, and the application results without the prior consent of the SINDA. 

​

For studies where SINDA provides information or content to the successful Applicant as part of the research process, SINDA may require the successful Applicant to sign non-disclosure forms regarding the release of such information. 

​

The following terms and conditions are final and legally binding and by submitting concepts or application under this Initiative, all Applicants (defined herein below) voluntarily accept these terms and conditions and agree to abide by them in its entirety. SINDA reserves the right to disqualify any Applicant who is found to have violated the spirit of the Funding, related guidelines and these terms and conditions. 

​

SINDA reserves the right to change these terms and conditions at any time in its sole discretion. Changes will be expressly posted on SINDA's website: www.sinda.org.sg/srf. Applicants are responsible to refer and rely on latest or updated versions of the applicable terms and conditions only. 

bottom of page