NTB Provincial Government Prepares Rp450 Million Stimulus Fund for Research Proposals

The Provincial Government of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) has prepared a stimulus fund of Rp450 million for 15 selected research proposals from young researchers as a concrete form of support for the development of research-based and innovative science. Head of the NTB Regional Research and Innovation Agency (BRIDA), I Gede Putu Aryadi, stated that each selected proposal is entitled to receive research funding of Rp30 million to produce innovations that can be applied in regional development. Aryadi emphasised that all research supported by the regional government must be oriented towards solving development problems and providing direct benefits to the community. Research projects must align with the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD) and the science and technology advancement roadmap in West Nusa Tenggara. “We want every innovation not to stop merely at a concept or research report, but to be truly implementable and have a real impact on society,” said Aryadi. Furthermore, he conveyed the need for cross-sector collaboration, field mentoring, and the drafting of policy briefs as a basis for strengthening NTB as a Regional Innovation House. The Governor of NTB has issued a decree regarding the formation of an evaluation team tasked with assessing the quality of proposals in the competition, as well as ensuring that research results have applied value, economic benefits, and support the resolution of various development problems in West Nusa Tenggara. Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) academic, Afif Amrullah, highlighted the importance of clarity in the implementation stages of innovation results after the selection process. He proposed refining provisions regarding applicant qualifications, the classification of young researchers, the limit on the number of proposals that can be submitted in one year, and the obligation to produce applied innovations, scientific publications, and policy recommendations.