By Liaw Wy Cin

TEN scientists aged 29 to 35, and of six different nationalities have each been given up to US$1.5 million (S$2.2 million) over three years to start their own research in Singapore, by the National Research Foundation (NRF). If they do good work, they can get another round of three-year funding.

This grant, called the NRF Research Fellowship, aims to attract young scientists from around the world to come to Singapore to do cutting-edge research. In other countries, scientists have to be about 40 before they are given this opportunity.

The programme started last year, with 10 winners awarded the grant. This year, the number of applicants increased 30 per cent to 186.

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