Deputy Minister: Grant Call Scheme Can Boost Research and Innovation for 11 Vaccines

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie has stated that her ministry can follow up on the Ministry of Health’s request for research and innovation concerning 11 vaccine reagents through a grant call or strategic research funding scheme. Speaking in Jakarta on Wednesday, Stella explained that changes to the research funding scheme now include allocations for strategic research, such as vaccine development and innovation, to accelerate downstreaming in Indonesia and strengthen the National Immunisation Programme. “This means we have what we call a proposal call, so we invite proposals. Once determined by the Minister, we can decide to set aside funds specifically for, say, those eleven. Then the proposals submitted will only be for research on those eleven,” she said. According to her, this targeted approach will foster healthier competition for research funds and yield better results. “That is what we will do, immediately follow up on the Minister’s request,” Stella said. She noted that under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, the research budget has doubled, demonstrating a commitment to advancing the nation through science and technology. She elaborated on the technical aspects, explaining that out of 15 antigens, only four can currently be produced from the upstream stage. The remaining 11 are still made through assembly. “It is still being pieced together and attached. It is not yet full manufacturing,” she said. Therefore, she has requested assistance from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, the Endowment Fund for Education Agency (LPDP), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) to accelerate this innovation.