FAQ

• Q:I am from academia, and am hoping to use my earlier research outcomes to develop into a product/solution that can be used in the built environment. Can I apply?
  A:Yes, you may apply. Ideally, you will collaborate with a partner from industry who may have suggestions on commercial applications of the solution.
• Q:Can I include overseas conference travel and research publication expenses in the budget?
  A:No. The budget should include only project costs, such as manpower, consumables, equipment, and transportation expenses.
• Q:Is there a list of qualifying cost that can be funded by this innovation challenge?
  A:JTC does not have a fixed list. The guidelines are that line items submitted must be clearly project-related, such as: manpower cost, equipment (additional modules), consumables, other operating costs (software licence, transporting prototype to site, etc).
  
  Do not include items that are not directly linked to the project, as it will affect the price-aspect of the evaluation.
• Q:Can foreign companies with GeBIZ registration submit proposal in consortium with locally registered company in Singapore.
  A:Foreign companies can apply, as long as:
  i) The company has a GeBIZ registration upon award, and subsequently
  ii) submit their electronic invoice through vendors@gov.
  JTC encourages the Applicants to have local presence as JTC’s estates and development are in Singapore, to facilitate any demonstrations, and provide timely engineering support.
  
  Approved funding will be made to the applicant whose submission has been accepted by JTC. Applicant should have their own arrangement with their partners or associates.
• Q:Does the applicant include cost of Public Agency Collaborator in the Total Requested Funding?
  A:Cost related to collaborating with public agencies will be borne respectively by the public agency as a contribution in-kind. It will be reflected as an in the contribution in-kind table by public agencies.
  
  Applicants shall list clearly the various parties which it is collaborating with in their proposals.
• Q:Is an extension of time allowed for these projects?
  A:This is subject to approval of JTC but such requests should be exceptions. Each project should not last more than 1 year.
• Q:Who will own the Intellectual Property (IP) generated from the project?
  A:As JTC will be contributing significant resources, this will jointly owned by JTC and the Collaborator and subject to the terms of the Project Agreement.
• Q:I am requesting more than S$250,000 of funding, will my project still be considered?
  A:No. You must adjust the scope of work so that the funding requested does not exceed S$250,000.
• Q:Can overheads from University/Research Institutes be part of the project cost?
  A:Yes.
• Q:My proposal was not supported even though I addressed all issues. I want to know why.
  A:There are, unfortunately, limited resources available so not all proposals can be supported. Besides technical merit and novelty, JTC assesses the potential impact if the project is successful and whether its commercialisation will give good value for money.
• Q:I intend to submit a proposal but would like to vary some of the terms in the Project Agreement. Is this possible?
  A:No. The terms in the Project Agreement apply to all applicants across the board. It would not be fair to change a term or terms for one applicant but not for another.
• Q:Will I be paid if I cannot meet the timetable for the deliverables in the Project Agreement?
  A:JTC shall only be obliged to make payment (i) in accordance with the Payment Schedule in the Project Agreement and (ii) subject to JTC’s satisfaction and acceptance of the completion of milestones and/or deliverables.
• Q:What is the next step if a solution is developed?
  A:JTC will undertake a careful study to assess whether steps should be taken to commercialise the product/solution. If so, steps will be taken in accordance with the terms of the Project Agreement.
• Q:My project team consists of members from different organisations. How will disbursement of funds take place?
  A:JTC will disburse payments pursuant to the Project Agreement only to the party that signed the Project Agreement and not to individual members of the team.