Speaking at the program\u2019s launch in Jakarta on Wednesday, ministry\nofficial Yos Sunitiyoso said university research should focus not only\non producing academic publications but also on delivering practical\nsolutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are trying not only to improve the quality and impact of our\nresearch, but also to address the nation\u2019s strategic challenges,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Sunitiyoso said the ministry has allocated a total of Rp454 billion\n(approximately US$25 million) this year to support more than 1,070\napplied research projects involving collaboration between universities\nand industry.<\/p>\n
Of the total funding, Rp317 billion (around US$17.5 million) has been\nallocated through the State University Operational Assistance (BOPTN)\nprogram to support 924 research projects, while another Rp136 billion\n(approximately US$7.5 million) from the Indonesia Endowment Fund for\nEducation (LPDP) will finance 146 projects.<\/p>\n
For the 2026 fiscal year, the ministry has introduced three flagship\nfunding schemes.<\/p>\n
The first is the 2026 Phase II Research Downstreaming Program, which\naims to align university innovation with industry needs.<\/p>\n
The program focuses on five priority areas, energy security through\nefficiency and electrification, waste management, national health\nsecurity, food self-sufficiency, and digitalization and artificial\nintelligence (AI).<\/p>\n
The second scheme, \u201cInternational Partnership Research\u201d, is designed\nto support Indonesian researchers collaborating with internationally\nrecognized research institutions.<\/p>\n
According to Sunitiyoso, the program consists of two output\ncategories. Category A targets publications in internationally reputable\njournals ranked in the first or second quartile (Q1\/Q2), while Category\nB focuses on applied innovations and commercially viable prototypes.<\/p>\n
The third initiative, introduced for the first time, is the Deeptech\nHackathon.<\/p>\n
Under the scheme, the ministry will provide grants of up to Rp1.5\nbillion for universities to organize national-level hackathon\ncompetitions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe purpose of the hackathon is to develop solutions to real-world\nproblems, for example by collaborating with Danantara on a semiconductor\nindustry hackathon, with the Agriculture Ministry on food security, or\non energy transition initiatives,\u201d Sunitiyoso said.<\/p>\n
Through these three funding schemes, the ministry expects Indonesian\nresearch to move beyond academic papers and progress toward incubation,\nmass production, and broader commercialization, ultimately reducing the\ncountry\u2019s dependence on imported products.<\/p>\n
Related news: Indonesia allocates US$3.51 mln for 122 university\nresearch projects<\/p>\n
Related news: University rectors ink pact to advance national\ndevelopment agenda<\/p>\n
Translator: Sean Filo Muhamad, Cindy Frishanti Octavia<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-strengthens-industry-links-through-research-funding-1783516808", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }