YPASM Research Grant
Field of Research: All Sciences Related to the Polar Region
YPASM aims to bridge the gap between Antarctic research and Malaysia’s sustainable future by translating the knowledge gained from Antarctic studies into practical solutions, from addressing climate change issues, improving planetary health, solving problems with innovation, and tackling pollution to conserving both Antarctica and Malaysia for a sustainable future. Nevertheless, the Polar Research for Sustainable Future shall not stop there. Think further and beyond for the future of research in Antarctica to a more prosperous and sustainable Malaysia.
- Research Grant up to RM150,000 not exceeding 36 months.
Field of Research: Social Science & Policy
YPASM seeks to break down disciplinary barriers by promoting collaboration between social and environmental researchers. We aim to develop policy or regulatory frameworks to address issues such as ethics, access, sensitivity and benefit sharing, intellectual property or curation of open data for Antarctic bioprospecting, data information, and collections in Malaysia. Social science research connecting Antarctic research to Malaysia’s sustainable future is also welcome.
- Research Grant up to RM50,000 not exceeding 36 months.
Eligibility Criteria
- Projects must be related to scientific research in polar regions;
- Applicants must possess a PhD in any related field;
- Applicants will only be allowed to hold one (1) YPASM Research Grant at a time;
- Applicants are only allowed to submit one (1) project application at each phase;
- Applicants must have at least three (3) years of experience in a related field/ programme/ research project;
- Application is open to Malaysian citizens and Permanent Residents (MyKad holders) from universities participating in the YPASM Smart Partnership initiative only (UM, UiTM, USM, UMS, UPM, UKM, IMU, UMT, UMK and UMP);
Scope of Expenditure
The research grant can be utilized for the following categories:
1.Wages and Allowances for Temporary and Contract Personnel
- Includes wages and allowances for temporary and contract personnel who are directly engaged in the project. Up to two (2) temporary or contract personnel will be funded for each project.
- The maximum wages/allowances for temporary or contract personnel are up to RM 1,800.00 per month/per head.
2.Travel and Transportation
This funding includes expenses for domestic and overseas trip directly related to the project. The funding can only be used for either presenting at conference/seminar, or when facilities and expertise in the home institution are inadequate to conduct a portion of the research. However, the venue must be suitable in terms of facilities, expertise and technology transfer.
Overseas trip must meet the following criteria;
- The project leader or collaborator or team member is only allowed to go once for the duration of the project unless otherwise approved by YPASM;
- Travel is limited to economy class using the cheapest direct routes;
- The project leader or collaborator needs to send an application for approval to YPASM at least sixty (60) days before departure. Only oral presentation at conferences or seminars on the findings of the project will be allowed and a copy of the acceptance letter must accompany the application.
- The allocation for travelling overseas (including visa and travel insurance) must be budgeted in the research proposal;
- Travel and transportation allocation will be funded for up to a maximum of 15% of the total expenses of the project or RM 22,500.00, whichever is less;
- The budget for Polar Expedition will be based on relevancy and budget justification is needed. Please send the budget justification for the trip to YPASM at least ninety (90) days prior to departure.
- Approved permit to conduct research in Antarctica must also be secured and a copy of the permit must be sent to YPASM at least thirty (30) days before departure.
3.Rentals
Only rental for special equipment not available in the institutions involved in the project and any other items directly related to the project can be included. The allocation for rentals must be budgeted for in the research proposal and must get prior approval from YPASM.
4.Special Services:
Funding will be approved for only services directly related to the project such as:
- Consultancy – agreement/letter of intent must be submitted together with the project proposal;
- Payment for enumerators;
- Sample testing and analysis;
- Data processing;
- Paper publications related to the project;
- Registration fees for conference(s); and
- Engagement of foreign expert(s) will be considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to approval from YPASM.
5.The Funding cannot be used for:
- Capital purchases (equipment, facilities, etc). However, if specialized equipment is required for the success of the project, justification for its purchase must be given. Project leader will need to provide information on availability of such equipment and why it cannot be used or shared;
- Purchase of capital assets such as building, vehicles and furniture;
- Purchase of personal computer, laptop, printer, scanners;
- Utilities;
- Purchase of books, stationeries and subscription to journals etc; and
- Honorarium, salary or allowances of any personnel (except for wages and allowances for temporary and contract personnel)
Call for Proposal 2025 is now open : APPLY NOW
2024
Project title :
From the Continent to the Poles: Transboundary Plastic Wastes Pollution Management in the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic from a Malaysian Perspective.
2024
Project title :
Elucidating the anti-diabetic potential of Antarctic microalgae through a multi-faceted approach: enzymatic assays, in-vitro insulin sensitive cell models and transcriptomic analysis.
2024
Project title :
A Comprehensive Database of Antarctica Cold- Adapted Enzymes for Sustainable Bioprospecting.
2024
Project title :
Enhancing Understanding of Antarctic Atmospheric Processes and their Teleconnection to the Monsoons in the Strait of Malacca, Malaysia, through Comprehensive Data Management.
2024
Project title :
Tailoring cage-like magnetic silica-titanium dioxide core-shell nanoparticles for microplastic photodegradation in Malaysian, sub-Antarctic, and Antarctic Environments.
2024
Project title :
Solation of β-glucan exopolysaccharide producing bacteria strains from Antarctic marine sediment and evaluation of the β- glucans wound healing properties.
2023
Project title :
Remote Sensing Big Data analytics for detailed geological mapping in exposed zones of dry valleys, South Victoria Land, Antarctica
2023
Project title :
Optimal Planning of Renewable Energy based Microgrid System under the Harsh Environment in Horseshoe Island
2023
Project title :
Chitosan from krill waste for future potential natural coagulant in plastic treatment in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean
2023
Project title :
Ecotoxicology of Lanthanide Earth Elements in Polar Aquatic Ecosystems
2023
Project title :
In silico and in vitro study of Pseudogymnoascus spp. extracts towards new neuroprotective agents for anti- Alzheimer’s disease
2023
Project title :
Computational Modelling of Metagenomics in Polar Microbiota for Biomarkers Discovery through Generative Artificial Intelligence
2023
Project title :
Study on interaction of gravitational and electromagnetic phenomena in polar region
2023
Project title :
Bioprospecting of Lipids-derived from Antarctic Microalgae and Their Topical Formulations against Wound-induced Inflammation in A Zebrafish Model
2022
Project title :
Spatiotemporal Evaluation and Characterization of Microplastic and Associated Compounds in the Marine Environment of Antarctica and Sub-Antarctica Regions
2022
Project title :
Photoprotective Potential of Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids (MAAS) and Bioactive Compounds from Antarctic Microalgae on Human Keratinocytes
2022
Project title :
Bioengineering of Antarctic Polyester Hydrolases for Advancing Cyanobacteria-Driven Marine Plastics Bioremediation
2022
Project title :
Assessing the Survival Ability of an Antarctic Bacterium, Flavobacterium Sp. in Subzero Temperature
2022
Project title :
Investigation of Anti-Biofilm and Anti-Quorum Sensing Activity of Rare and Cultivable Antarctic Bacteria Against Human Pathogens
2021
Project title :
Unlocking the antimicrobial potential and ecological adaptive roles of metabolites from Pseudogymnoascus spp grown under increased temperatures
2021
Project title :
Elucidating the Antarctic Streptomyces sp. INACH3013 Antimicrobial Compound Mechanisms-of-Action Through Global Transcriptome Profiling
2021
Project title :
Influence of polyethylene micro- and nano plastic on the combined toxicity of copper and lead in Antarctic microalgae based on a suite of biomarkers and transcriptomic profiles
2021
Project title :
Phosphorus scavenging mechanisms from plastic as an untapped Phosphorus source for Antarctic cyanobacteria: a molecular, biochemical and isotope labelling approach
2021
Project title :
Making sense of sensor: A new way to conduct real-time monitoring, evaluating model and source estimation for isoprene and surface ozone in remote area of Peninsula Antarctic.
2021
Project title :
Neuroprotection properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from penguin guano in Antarctica Region
2020
Project title :
The Fate of Salps in a Changing Ocean: Emerging Environmental Consequences for the Indian Ocean Sector of the Southern Ocean
2020
Project title :
Characterisation and Evaluation of the Potential of a Microplastic-degrading Bacteria Isolated from Polar Regions
2020
Project title :
The Impact of Environmental Pollutants on the Molecular Response of Antarctic Microbe
2020
Project title :
Phytoremediation Potential of Antarctic Microalgae on Diesel Hydrocarbons
2020
Project title :
Enhancing Production of Sphingobacterium sp. Lipase from Artic Soil using Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA)Peptide Co-expression System
2020
Project title :
Correlation of bioactive compound extracted from commonly encountered Antarctic lichens against selected Gram-positive and negative resistant bacteria: A novel insight in Medical Microbiology
2019
Project title :
Impact of Increasing Rainfall Trend on Atmospheric Reactive Gasses and Microbiota Over the Maritime Antarctic Region
2019
Project title :
Second Stage of Bioreactor Design for Cold-adapted Bioremediation of Antarctic Soils Contaminated with Diesel Hydrocarbons
2019
Project title :
Mapping benthic communities in the West Antarctic Peninsula using habitat suitability modelling
2019
Project title :
Structural and functional characterisation of HSP70 as a biomarker in identifying resistance and resilience towards heat and salinity stress in Pedobacter cyroconitis and Glaciozyma antarctica
2018
Project title :
Response of Southern Ocean carbon fluxes to changes in phytoplankton and environmental forcing
2018
Project title :
Characteristic of lightning flashes over Antarctica Peninsular and its respond to the upper atmosphere
2018
Project title :
Necrobiome Community Structure and soil chemistry profile associated with penguin carcasses and its correlation with bone density under antarctica climate
2018
Project title :
Investigating the population genetics and trichothecene mycotoxin genontype of Fusarium spp. in Antarctica
2018
Project title :
Molecular evaluation of biogeography of functional redundancy theory in Antarctic rhizosphere prokaryotic communities
2017
Project title :
Expression and structural characterization of fatty acid desaturasa from Antarctic bacteria
2017
Project title :
Modelling Approach in Simulating Stratosphere-Troposphere Exchange (STE) under Climate Change Scenarios: Occurrence and Characterisation of Tropopause and Tropospheric Ozone Chemistry
2017
Project title :
A comprehensive investigation on the characteristics of near surface wind field and boundary layer in the Jang Bogo station, Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica, through observational and numerical simulation studies.
2017
Project title :
Characterization of Mycosporine-like Amino Acids (MAAs), a Photoprotecting Compound against Ultraviolet B (UV-B) from Antarctic cyanobacteria 2
2017
Project title :
Glaciozyma Antarctica: Unlocking the Secrets of Secondary Metabolites Involved in Cold Adaptation
2016
Project title :
Investigating Cyanotoxin Production by Antarctica Cyanobacterial Mats
2016
Project title :
Analysis of the Genes Encoded by a Plasmid From Antarctic Bacterium, Pedobacter sp. BG5 for Potential Antimicrobial Compounds
2015
Project title :
Functional Metagenomics and Culture-based Approaches for Discovering of Cold-Active Hydrolytic Enzymes from Antarctic Region
2015
Project title :
Geology and Remote Sensing Investigations for Structural Analysis and lithological mapping in Antarctic Peninsula
2014
Project title :
Isolation and characterization of novel anticancer compounds produced by Barrientosiimonas humi gen. nov., sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from Barrientos Island, Antarctic against colorectal cancer.
2014
Project title :
Exploration and Characterization of Earth’s Electromagnetism and Conductivity Due to Space Weather Perturbation at Polar and Equatorial Regions.
2014
Project title :
The use of first portable Gas Chromatography GC with electron capture detector (ECD) in the determination of Very Short Live Halocarbons (VSLH) in the atmosphere and coastal water of Antarctic.
2013
Project title :
Use of Oxidative Stress Enzymes in Algae as Biomarkers for Monitoring Stress in The Polar Regions.
2013
Project title :
Transportation of Pollen and Surface Pollen Distribution in the Antarctic.
2013
Project title :
Design and Synthesis of α- Helix Antifreeze Peptides from Antarctic Inhabitants (Glaciozyma antarctica Yeast and Shorthorn Sculpin Fish).