Selangor Allocates RM3.5 Mln Research Grant To Drive RS-2 Agenda

SHAH ALAM, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- The Selangor state government, through its Standing Committee on Education and Human Capital, has allocated RM3.5 million for the Selangor Development Grant (SELidik) 2026.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said SELidik is a transformation from the previous Selangor Research Grant (GPNS) 2024. It covers a broader scope of research and supports the development agenda outlined in the Second Selangor Plan (RS-2), which focuses on strategic specialisation.

"The total cost for SELidik 2026 is RM3.5 million. We have set aside RM2.5 million for Universiti Islam Selangor (UIS) and Universiti Selangor (UNISEL).

"In the first phase, these two state-owned universities will produce various research outputs, including modules, applications and prototypes," he told reporters after a grant offer handover ceremony at Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah today.

Amirudin added that the second phase will be expanded to other public institutions nationwide. An additional RM1 million has also been allocated for local universities throughout Selangor.

He said the initiative, which is managed by Yayasan Selangor, is also expected to generate returns on investment through economic development, academic excellence and human capital empowerment.

Research findings from the SELidik programme will be channelled to the relevant standing committees for the benefit of state policymakers.

He also said that the state government may consider involving international universities if there are surplus funds in the future.

"The application is open to local researchers, with the requirement that each study must be directly linked to the six main themes of the RS-2 and the relevant government departments.

"Many previous studies have covered areas such as agriculture, research, innovation development, and more. These will be connected directly to the policies being developed, followed by programmes that the state government will implement," he said.

On Aug 7, the Selangor state government announced the RS-2, an economic plan for 2026–2030 that outlines six missions across 25 areas, with a target economic value of RM600 billion over that period.

The six missions are: Driving Selangor's Economic Leadership; Balanced Development and Equal Opportunities Across Districts; A Caring and Liveable State; Productive and Inclusive Human Capital; A Resilient and Strategic Sustainable State; and an Effective Government that is People- and Business-Friendly.

-- BERNAMA