The Ministry of Science & Technology has clarified that the Technology Development Board (TDB) closed its call for proposals under the Research Development & Innovation (RDI) Scheme on administrative grounds, not because of a funding shortage. The board received such a large number of project applications that it decided to pause accepting new submissions temporarily to focus on evaluating the backlog.
TDB will resume accepting fresh proposals after it completes its assessment of all applications received before the closure date of 30 September 2026. The ministry stated that funds are fully available for disbursement to eligible technology entrepreneurs and enterprises (ETEs).
Key facts
- RDI scheme call closed on administrative grounds, effective 30 September 2026
- Closure reason: high volume of incoming proposals requiring evaluation time
- Call will reopen after assessment of all pending applications
- No fund shortage exists for project disbursements
- Investment Committee and TDB working to expedite evaluation process
- Department of Science & Technology (DST) and associated fund management bodies planning to assign additional schemes soon
What the RDI Scheme does
The Research Development & Innovation Scheme is operated by the Technology Development Board, a statutory body under the Department of Science & Technology. The scheme supports projects that aim to develop and commercialise new technologies. It funds entrepreneurs and technology enterprises working on innovations across sectors.
Why the call was paused
TDB announced that the closure is temporary and administrative in nature. The board received far more project proposals than it could process within its normal evaluation timeline. Rather than accept applications it could not assess promptly, TDB decided to stop new submissions and focus its resources on evaluating the large number of proposals already in its pipeline as of 30 September 2026. This ensures fair and thorough assessment of each pending application.
When applications will reopen
The ministry did not announce a specific reopening date. It said the call would reopen “shortly” after the Investment Committee and TDB complete their review of all applications received up to the closure date. The board is working to expedite this evaluation process.
Funding remains available
The ministry issued this clarification after media reports claimed that TDB had closed the call due to a shortage of funds. The government denied this claim explicitly. It stated that funds for disbursement to eligible technology enterprises are fully available and that there is no constraint on funding at present.
Additionally, the Department of Science & Technology and the autonomous fund management bodies are in the process of announcing and assigning several other schemes in the near future, signalling continued investment in research and technology development.
What this means for you
If you are a technology entrepreneur or an enterprise developing innovative technologies, you cannot currently apply to the RDI Scheme. However, the closure is not permanent. You should monitor TDB’s website for news of when the call reopens. When it does reopen, all applicants will be on equal footing, as TDB will be working through a backlog of proposals from the current submission window.
The government’s commitment to fund research and innovation remains unchanged. If you are working on projects that do not fit the RDI Scheme, additional schemes are expected to be announced soon through DST and other bodies, which may offer alternative funding opportunities.