The Singapore R&D ecosystem
Singapore is ranked number 12 of 392 R&D ecosystems in the 311 Institute directory, with 103 labs within about 120 kilometres: 68 research institutes, 22 government, 7 corporate, 4 university and 2 military. Leading organisations include A*STAR, Biomedical Research Council, Agency for Science, Technology and Research and Science and Engineering Research Council, focused on molecular biology, materials chemistry, biomedical engineering and atomic and molecular physics, and optics.
Part of the 311 Institute Global R&D Labs Directory. Compiled by Matthew Griffin. Last updated .
#12world rank
103labs
77organisations
2countries
Why these labs matter
DSO National Laboratories: Singapore's national defence research lab.
National University of Singapore: Anchors Singapore's research ecosystem.
All 103 labs
| Lab and organisation | Location | Type and sector | Focus | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DBS Asia XDBS Bank | Singapore, Singapore | Corporate Financial services | Fintech, Design | 2016 |
| DHL Asia Pacific Innovation CenterDHL | Singapore, Singapore | Corporate Consumer and retail | Logistics innovation | 2015 |
| LumenLabMetLife | Singapore, Singapore | Corporate Insurance | Insurtech | 2015 |
| OCBC Open VaultOCBC | Singapore, Singapore | Corporate Financial services | Fintech partnerships | 2016 |
| Singtel Innov8Singtel | Singapore, Singapore | Corporate Telecommunications | Corporate venture capital | 2010 |
| SC VenturesStandard Chartered | Singapore, Singapore | Corporate Financial services | Venture building, Digital banking | 2018 |
| The FinLabUOB | Singapore, Singapore | Corporate Financial services | Fintech accelerator | 2015 |
| A*STAR Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC)A*STAR | Singapore, Singapore | Government Industrials and manufacturing | Manufacturing | |
| A*STAR Bioinformatics Institute (BII)A*STAR | Singapore, Singapore | Government Healthcare and life sciences | Bioinformatics | |
| A*STAR Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS)A*STAR | Singapore, Singapore | Government Healthcare and life sciences | Genomics | 2003 |
| A*STAR Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R)A*STAR | Singapore, Singapore | Government Technology | AI, Communications | 2002 |
| A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC)A*STAR | Singapore, Singapore | Government Technology | Simulation, AI | 1998 |
| A*STAR Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE)A*STAR | Singapore, Singapore | Government Chemicals and materials | Materials | 1997 |
| A*STAR Institute of Microelectronics (IME)A*STAR | Singapore, Singapore | Government Technology | Semiconductors | |
| A*STAR Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech)A*STAR | Singapore, Singapore | Government Industrials and manufacturing | Manufacturing | |
| A*STAR Research EntitiesA*STAR Research Entities | Singapore, Singapore | Government Healthcare and life sciences | Surgery, Biomedical Engineering, Reproductive Medicine | |
| Biomedical Research CouncilAgency for Science, Technology and Research | Singapore, Singapore | Government Healthcare and life sciences | Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine, Oncology, Genetics | 2000 |
| Centre for Liveable CitiesCentre for Liveable Cities | Singapore, Singapore | Government Social sciences and humanities | Urban Studies, Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law, Sociology and Political Science | 2008 |
| Home Team Science and Technology AgencyHome Team Science and Technology Agency | Singapore, Singapore | Government Technology | Artificial Intelligence, Information Systems, Analytical Chemistry | 2019 |
| Health Sciences AuthorityMinistry of Health | Singapore, Singapore | Government Healthcare and life sciences | Toxicology, Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty, Analytical Chemistry | 2001 |
| National Medical Research CouncilMinistry of Health | Singapore, Singapore | Government Healthcare and life sciences | Statistics and Probability, Economics and Econometrics, Epidemiology | 1994 |
| National Health Innovation CentreNational Health Innovation Centre | Singapore, Singapore | Government Multidisciplinary research | Research | |
| National Research FoundationNational Research Foundation | Singapore, Singapore | Government Healthcare and life sciences | Epidemiology, Nuclear and High Energy Physics, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health | 2006 |
| Precision Health Research, SingaporePrecision Health Research, Singapore | Singapore, Singapore | Government Healthcare and life sciences | Genetics, Health Informatics, Economics and Econometrics | |
| Science Centre SingaporeScience Centre Singapore | Singapore, Singapore | Government Social sciences and humanities | Museology, Education, Information Systems and Management | 1970 |
| GovTech SingaporeSingapore government | Singapore, Singapore | Government Public policy and analysis | Digital government, AI | 2016 |
| Singapore Institute of Legal EducationSingapore Institute of Legal Education | Singapore, Singapore | Government Public policy and analysis | Sociology and Political Science, Strategy and Management | 2011 |
| Skin Research Institute of SingaporeSkin Research Institute of Singapore | Singapore, Singapore | Government Healthcare and life sciences | Dermatology, Rehabilitation, Cell Biology | |
| Workplace Safety and Health InstituteWorkplace Safety and Health Institute | Singapore, Singapore | Government Healthcare and life sciences | Health, Occupational Therapy, Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine | |
| Defence Science and Technology AgencyMinistry of Defence | Singapore, Singapore | Military Aerospace and defence | Mechanics of Materials, Civil and Structural Engineering, Control and Systems Engineering | 2000 |
| DSO National LaboratoriesSingapore government | Singapore, Singapore | Military Aerospace, defence and space | Defence | 1972 |
| UMI MajuLabNanyang Technological University | Singapore, Singapore | University Basic science | Artificial Intelligence, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Statistical and Nonlinear Physics | |
| Nanyang Technological UniversityUniversities in Singapore | Singapore, Singapore | University Multidisciplinary research | Engineering, Sustainability | 1981 |
| National University of SingaporeUniversities in Singapore | Singapore, Singapore | University Multidisciplinary research | AI, Quantum, Medicine | 1905 |
| The Cambridge Centre for Advanced Research and Education in SingaporeUniversity of Cambridge | Singapore, Singapore | University Chemicals and materials | Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes, Materials Chemistry | 2013 |
| Infectious Diseases LabsA*STAR Research Entities | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Infectious Diseases, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Immunology | |
| Advanced Digital Sciences CenterAdvanced Digital Sciences Center | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Technology | Control and Systems Engineering, Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, Hardware and Architecture | 2009 |
| A*STAR-NUS Clinical Imaging Research CentreAgency for Science, Technology and Research | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging, Cognitive Neuroscience, Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition | |
| Clinical Nutrition Research CentreAgency for Science, Technology and Research | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Nutrition and Dietetics, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health | |
| Data Storage InstituteAgency for Science, Technology and Research | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Multidisciplinary research | Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Computer Networks and Communications | 1996 |
| Science and Engineering Research CouncilAgency for Science, Technology and Research | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Nuclear | Nuclear and High Energy Physics, Information Systems and Management, Materials Chemistry | |
| Singapore Institute for Clinical SciencesAgency for Science, Technology and Research | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health, Genetics, Obstetrics and Gynecology | 2007 |
| Air Traffic Management Research InstituteAir Traffic Management Research Institute | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Aerospace, defence and space | Aerospace Engineering, Social Psychology, Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition | 2013 |
| Asia Research InstituteAsia Research Institute | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Social sciences and humanities | Demography, Sociology and Political Science, Urban Studies | 2001 |
| Bioinformatics InstituteBiomedical Research Council | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Biology, Computational Theory and Mathematics, Materials Chemistry | 2001 |
| Bioprocessing Technology InstituteBiomedical Research Council | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Biology, Genetics, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging | 2003 |
| Experimental Drug Development CentreBiomedical Research Council | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Computational Theory and Mathematics, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging, Molecular Biology | 2019 |
| Institute of Bioengineering and NanotechnologyBiomedical Research Council | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Biomaterials, Molecular Medicine, Molecular Biology | 2003 |
| Institute of Medical BiologyBiomedical Research Council | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology | 2007 |
| Institute of Molecular and Cell BiologyBiomedical Research Council | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Oncology | 1985 |
| Singapore Bioimaging ConsortiumBiomedical Research Council | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Spectroscopy, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials | |
| Singapore Immunology NetworkBiomedical Research Council | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Immunology, Oncology, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health | 2008 |
| Cancer Science Institute of SingaporeCancer Science Institute of Singapore | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Biology, Oncology, Cancer Research | 2008 |
| Centre for Antimicrobial BioengineeringCentre for Antimicrobial Bioengineering | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Chemicals and materials | Organic Chemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Biology | |
| Centre for Healthy and Sustainable CitiesCentre for Healthy and Sustainable Cities | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Social sciences and humanities | Demography, Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty, Information Systems | |
| Centre for Integrated Circuits and SystemsCentre for Integrated Circuits and Systems | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Biomedical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | 2010 |
| Centre for Optical and Laser EngineeringCentre for Optical and Laser Engineering | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Basic science | Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Acoustics and Ultrasonics | 2013 |
| Centre for Optical Fibre TechnologyCentre for Optical Fibre Technology | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Ceramics and Composites | 2014 |
| Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and ProcessingCentre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Environment and climate | Media Technology, Global and Planetary Change, Aerospace Engineering | 1992 |
| CNRS-International-NTU-Thales Research AllianceCentre National de la Recherche Scientifique | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Materials Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | 2009 |
| Image and Pervasive Access LaboratoryCentre National de la Recherche Scientifique | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Technology | Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, Information Systems, Biophysics | 1998 |
| Digital Manufacturing and Design CentreDigital Manufacturing and Design Centre | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering | |
| Earth Observatory of SingaporeEarth Observatory of Singapore | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Environment and climate | Geophysics, Geology, Atmospheric Science | 2009 |
| Energy Studies InstituteEnergy Studies Institute | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Public policy and analysis | Economics and Econometrics, Environmental Engineering, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment | 2007 |
| Singapore-ETH CentreETH Zurich | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Building and Construction, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Environmental Engineering | 2023 |
| Fraunhofer SingaporeFraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Multidisciplinary research | Cognitive Neuroscience, Experimental and Cognitive Psychology, Computational Mechanics | 2010 |
| Geriatric Education and Research InstituteGeriatric Education and Research Institute | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Geriatrics and Gerontology, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Psychiatry and Mental health | 2015 |
| Institute for Digital Molecular Analytics and ScienceInstitute for Digital Molecular Analytics and Science | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology | 2022 |
| Institute for Functional Intelligent MaterialsInstitute for Functional Intelligent Materials | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Chemicals and materials | Materials Chemistry, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Condensed Matter Physics | |
| Institute for Health Innovation & TechnologyInstitute for Health Innovation & Technology | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacology, Clinical Psychology | 2017 |
| Chemical Synthesis LabInstitute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Chemicals and materials | Organic Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology | 2005 |
| Institute of Data ScienceInstitute of Data Science | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Technology | Artificial Intelligence, Health Information Management, Health Informatics | 2016 |
| Institute of Operations Research and AnalyticsInstitute of Operations Research and Analytics | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Public policy and analysis | Numerical Analysis, Management Information Systems, Computational Theory and Mathematics | 2016 |
| Institute of Real Estate and Urban StudiesInstitute of Real Estate and Urban Studies | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Public policy and analysis | Economics and Econometrics, Finance, Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law | 2006 |
| ISEAS - Yusof Ishak InstituteISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Social sciences and humanities | Sociology and Political Science, Political Science and International Relations, General Economics, Econometrics and Finance | 1968 |
| Joint NTU-UBC Research Centre of Excellence in Active Living for the ElderlyJoint NTU-UBC Research Centre of Excellence in Active Living for the Elderly | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Technology | Information Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition | 2012 |
| Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative CitiesLee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Social sciences and humanities | Transportation, General Health Professions, Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis | 2012 |
| Life Sciences InstituteLife Sciences Institute | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Biology, Epidemiology, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience | 2001 |
| LUMINOUS! Centre of Excellence for Semiconductor Lighting and DisplaysLUMINOUS! Centre of Excellence for Semiconductor Lighting and Displays | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Basic science | Materials Chemistry, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Condensed Matter Physics | |
| Mechanobiology InstituteMechanobiology Institute | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Cell Biology, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Immunology and Allergy | |
| Novartis Institute For Tropical DiseasesNovartis (Singapore) | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Infectious Diseases, Materials Chemistry | |
| NUS Environmental Research InstituteNUS Environmental Research Institute | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Environment and climate | Pollution, Building and Construction, Water Science and Technology | |
| Protective Technology Research CentreProtective Technology Research Centre | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Civil and Structural Engineering, Mechanics of Materials, Materials Chemistry | 1998 |
| Rehabilitation Research Institute of SingaporeRehabilitation Research Institute of Singapore | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Rehabilitation, Biomedical Engineering, Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation | 2016 |
| Risk Management InstituteRisk Management Institute | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Public policy and analysis | Finance, Management Science and Operations Research, Numerical Analysis | 2006 |
| Robotics Research CentreRobotics Research Centre | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Biomedical Engineering, Control and Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering | 1994 |
| Institute of Chemical and Engineering SciencesScience and Engineering Research Council | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Chemicals and materials | Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, Materials Chemistry, Catalysis | 2002 |
| Institute of MicroelectronicsScience and Engineering Research Council | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Biomedical Engineering | 1991 |
| National Metrology CentreScience and Engineering Research Council | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | 1975 |
| Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial EconomicsSim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Public policy and analysis | Finance, Statistics and Probability, Information Systems | 2008 |
| Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences EngineeringSingapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Biology, Genetics, Ecology | |
| Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology InnovationSingapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Food Science, Molecular Biology, Nutrition and Dietetics | 2020 |
| Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety InitiativeSingapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging, Aerospace Engineering, Developmental Neuroscience | 2014 |
| Singapore Synchrotron Light SourceSingapore Synchrotron Light Source | Kent Ridge, Singapore | Research institute Chemicals and materials | Materials Chemistry, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics | 1999 |
| Smart Systems InstituteSmart Systems Institute | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Technology | Artificial Intelligence, Control and Systems Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction | |
| Solar Energy Research Institute of SingaporeSolar Energy Research Institute of Singapore | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, Artificial Intelligence | 2008 |
| Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, SingaporeTechnology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Environment and climate | Ocean Engineering, Computational Mechanics, Earth-Surface Processes | 2016 |
| Temasek Laboratories @ SUTDTemasek Laboratories @ SUTD | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Chemicals and materials | Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Aerospace Engineering, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials | 2012 |
| Temasek Laboratories@NTUTemasek Laboratories@NTU | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Technology | Condensed Matter Physics, Artificial Intelligence, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | 2004 |
| Temasek Life Sciences LaboratoryTemasek Life Sciences Laboratory | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Plant Science, Molecular Biology, Genetics | 2002 |
| The Logistics Institute-Asia PacificThe Logistics Institute-Asia Pacific | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Public policy and analysis | Management Information Systems, Strategy and Management, Management Science and Operations Research | |
| Tropical Marine Science InstituteTropical Marine Science Institute | Singapore, Singapore | Research institute Environment and climate | Oceanography, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Ecology | 1996 |
| UTM Construction Research CentreUTM Construction Research Centre | Johor Bahru, Malaysia | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Civil and Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Building and Construction | 2012 |
Countries
Organisations
- A*STAR
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research
- Biomedical Research Council
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
- ETH Zurich
- Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
- Ministry of Defence
- Ministry of Health
Other leading ecosystems
- Paris and Saclay
- Beijing and Tianjin
- Washington DC and Maryland
- Greater Tokyo and Tsukuba
- Moscow
- Grenoble
- London and the Golden Triangle
- Greater Bay Area (Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong)
- Shanghai and Suzhou
- Provence (ITER and Cadarache)
- Silicon Valley and the Bay Area
- Zurich, Basel and Aargau
- Randstad (Amsterdam, Delft, Leiden)
- Stuttgart and Karlsruhe
Questions and answers
How big is the Singapore R&D ecosystem?
It has 103 labs from 77 organisations, ranking number 12 worldwide in the 311 Institute Global R&D Labs Directory.
Which organisations have labs in Singapore?
They include A*STAR, Biomedical Research Council, Agency for Science, Technology and Research and Science and Engineering Research Council.
What does the Singapore ecosystem specialise in?
Its main focus areas are molecular biology, materials chemistry, biomedical engineering and atomic and molecular physics, and optics.
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