Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) today launched the Strategic Technology Driver Fund (PEMACU) Programme 2.0, allocating RM100 million under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). The program targets five key areas: nuclear, advanced materials, hydrogen, biotechnology, and space.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the minister, Datuk Chang Lih Kang, stated that this initiative aligns with government efforts to enhance high-impact technology development and increase the commercialisation rate of local research and development (R and D) products. The total allocation is RM100 million, divided into two schemes: the Strategic Research Fund (SRF), offering up to RM10 million per project, and the Technology Development Fund, providing up to RM4 million per project.
The focus is on Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above, ensuring R and D products advance beyond the laboratory stage to commercialisation and market readiness. Chang highlighted the shift from the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), which did not emphasize TRL levels. Under the 12MP, 170 projects received a total allocation of RM379 million. MOSTI aims to accelerate technology transition to higher market readiness levels, supporting innovation-driven economic growth with a new approach focused on research, development, commercialisation, and innovation (R and D and C and I).
Chang noted that most local R and D projects remain at TRL 2 to 3, which are early research stages. He emphasized that technologies often fail to progress, not due to weaknesses, but because of insufficient support during critical phases such as scaling up, market validation, and product development, known as the 'Valley of Death.'
PEMACU 2.0 is envisioned not just as a funding source, 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) engaged in R and D projects within the specified fields.