Singapore opens applications for company-led industrial decarbonisation research
Up to S$100m of a S$143m initiative is set aside for DRIVE, under which companies can work with researchers on industrial emissions challenges.
Singapore opened applications for DRIVE on 23 October, giving companies a route to define industrial decarbonisation problems and co-develop solutions with researchers. The government said it would set aside up to S$100 million for the programme within a S$143 million Industry Decarbonisation Funding Initiative.
DRIVE stands for Decarbonisation Research for Industry, Ventures, and Enterprise. Under the programme, companies are meant to identify the problems they need solved and work with Singapore's research capabilities on possible answers. The government said DRIVE would share research and development investment, but its 23 October announcement did not give a funding percentage.
A live company-led research route
The application opening is the immediate change for manufacturers and climate-technology firms. They can consider whether a concrete industrial problem fits the programme and seek a suitable research partner. Industry accounts for around 65 per cent of Singapore's emissions, including power use, the minister said. The government cited more efficient capture of carbon from industrial flue gas and conversion of captured carbon into useful products as examples of the challenges the wider initiative is intended to address.
The up-to-S$100 million DRIVE allocation sits inside the S$143 million initiative; the two figures are not separate pools to add together. Neither figure is a promised grant to any one company. Applicants still need the official programme terms before judging eligibility, contribution requirements or selection chances.
Research before deployment
The government's stated aim is to develop technologies around industry needs, test whether they can scale and help companies eventually deploy viable solutions. The wider Decarbonisation Grand Challenge spans research, translation, scale-up and demonstration; DRIVE is its company-led research route.
For firms deciding what to do now, the practical step is to define the decarbonisation challenge and review the government's published DRIVE information. The forum remarks confirm applications opened but give no separate application link or detailed award terms.
Source: Singapore government forum remarks, 23 October 2026.
