RM100 Mln PEMACU 2.0 To Drive Five Strategic Technology Areas - MOSTI

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) today launched the Strategic Technology Driver Fund (PEMACU) Programme 2.0 worth RM100 million under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), focusing on five strategic areas - nuclear, advanced materials, hydrogen, biotechnology and space.

Its minister Datuk Chang Lih Kang said the initiative aligns with the government’s efforts to strengthen high-impact technology development and increase the commercialisation rate of local research and development (R&D) products.

“The total allocation is RM100 million and there are two schemes, the Strategic Research Fund (SRF) of up to RM10 million per project and the Technology Development Fund of up to RM4 million per project.

“This time, we are focusing on Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above, to ensure R&D products can be commercialised and reach the market, not remain at the laboratory stage,” he told reporters after launching PEMACU 2.0 here today.

Chang said the fund marks a shift from its implementation under 12MP, which did not place specific emphasis on TRL levels.

During the 12MP, some 170 projects with a total allocation of RM379 million were approved. Through a new approach centred on research, development, commercialisation and innovation (R&D&C&I), MOSTI aims to accelerate the transition of technologies to higher market readiness levels to support innovation-driven economic growth.

However, Chang acknowledged that most local R&D projects remain at TRL 2 to 3, which are early research stages.

“Often, our technologies do not progress not because they are weak, but because there is insufficient support at the most critical phases - scaling up, market validation and product development. This is what is known as the ‘Valley of Death’,” he said.

Chang added that PEMACU 2.0 should not be viewed merely as a source of funding, but as a catalyst for transforming the nation’s innovation culture and reducing reliance on foreign countries.

Applications are open to universities, government research institutes, start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) undertaking R&D projects in the relevant fields.

Further information and guidelines on the PEMACU 2.0 funding schemes are available via the Sistem Dana Bersepadu (SDB) portal at https://sdb.mosti.gov.my/sdbcms/garispanduan/

-- BERNAMA