NHG Health LKCMedicine Clinician Scientist Preparatory Programme Plus (CSPP+)

Introduction

The NHG Health-LKCMedicine Clinician Scientist Preparatory Programme Plus (CSPP+) is a joint programme between NHG Health and the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) that aims to prepare clinicians to embark on formal research training leading to PhD in the early phase of their research careers.

The programme would also help them to build up their research experience and generate preliminary data in preparation for competitive research.

Awardees will be offered access to LKCMedicine’s library resources during the term of the award.

Key Features of Award

Each awardee will receive the following funding support under the CSPP+ award:

• Project funding quantum of up to S$30,000, for up to 1 year; and

• Salary support for research FTE of up to 0.3FTE, for up to 1 year

  • Up to 0.2FTE* will be provided by NHG Health Group Research & Innovation

  • Additional top-up of at least 0.1FTE will be provided by the NHG Health Host Institution

  • Salary support will cover the total annual compensation, inclusive of salaries, CPF, fringe benefits, as well as bonus / incentive payments.

* ^{_{Annual salary cap by awardee’s clinical designation (Table 1) will apply. NHG Health Host institution will need to top up the difference if the awardee’s salary exceeds the applicable annual salary cap.}}

Eligibility

a) Doctors (i.e., clinically qualified with MD/MBBS/BDS) – Senior Residents enrolled in the NHG Health Residency Programme with indication of continuation with NHG Health or Associate Consultants or Consultants (no more than 5 years post-residency exit) with primary appointments at NHG Health institutions.

OR

b) Health science / healthcare professionals with non-medical degrees, such as nurses, pharmacists and other allied health professions (as listed on this website) in clinical practice, with primary appointments at NHG Health institutions and at least 3 years of clinical or relevant experience. Others may contact the CSPP Secretariat for discussion on suitability of the programme. Applicants should have attained at least Bachelors (Hons)/Masters with an Upper Second, preferably First class honours degree in a relevant field. Experience as first or co-author of research publications is preferred but not required.

All applicants should also fulfil the following criteria:

• Have completed the NHG Health-LKCMedicine Clinician Scientist Preparatory Programme (CSPP) with good outcomes;

• Able to commit up to 0.3FTE to complete their research project within the award period, with the approval of their Reporting Officer;

• Demonstrates commitment to pursue the LKCMedicine PhD by Research Programme.

Interested clinicians are strongly encouraged to contact the CSPP Secretariat for discussion on suitability of the Programme prior to applying.

Mentorship

Each applicant is required to nominate a mentor from NHG Health and a mentor from LKCMedicine (subject to approval by the Review Panel) to guide them in their research project. They should approach and discuss the details of the project with their nominated mentors.

The mentor should be an established clinician scientist or clinical scientist who:

a) Is involved in research with significant impact on clinical care;
b) Has had experience as Principal investigator (PI) in a relevant area of research;
c) Has strong foundation and knowledge in research methodology and conduct;
d) Has obtained intramural/extramural grant(s) during the past 5 years;
e) Has an established research track record; and
f) Has had experience in supervising or providing research mentorship to junior investigators or peers.

Nominated mentors should be eligible to be PhD supervisor / co-supervisor and at least one mentor should be medically qualified. 

Applicants may contact the CSPP Secretariat if they require assistance in identifying appropriate mentor(s) or refer to the Academy of Clinician Scientists and Innovators (ACSI) mentors’ directory.

Submission

Applicants are required to submit all application documents (Table 2) in softcopy to the CSPP Secretariat at NHG Health Group Research and Innovation through their Institution’s Clinical Research Unit (CRU) / Clinical Research and Innovation Office (CRIO).

The Institution’s CRU / CRIO will set internal deadlines for the submissions and ensure that the respective documents reach the CSPP Secretariat by the stipulated deadline. Please check with your institutions for these deadlines. Applications submitted after the call closing date and time will not be considered.

Resources

CSPP+ Information Sheet - FY2026

This document contains important information about the objective of the scheme, award components, eligibility, application procedure, and evaluation criteria, etc., and should be read carefully before proceeding to apply.

Download the latest CSPP+ Information Sheet.

CSPP+ Application Package - FY2026

The CSPP+ Application Package consists of the following documents:
1. Information Sheet
2. Application Form
3. Budget Breakdown Form
4. Application Checklist (for reference only)
5. CSPP+ Funding Guidelines

Download the latest CSPP+ Application Package.

CSPP+ Forms & Templates Package

The CSPP+ Forms & Templates zip folder consists of the following documents:
1. CSPP+ Variation Forms - Budget Variation, Unbudgeted Item, Change of Scope
2. CSPP+ Final Report Template
3. CSPP+ Funding Guidelines

Download the latest CSPP+ Forms & Templates

Past Awardees

Download the list of past CSPP+ Awardees.

Contact Information

For more information and further enquiries, please contact the Secretariat:

Ms Christine Khoo
Clinician Scientist Development Office
Group Research & Innovation, NHG Health
Tel: (65) 6038 3630
Email: christine.khoo.ml@nhghealth.com.sg

Ms Syarafina Hasan
Clinician Scientist Development Office
Group Research & Innovation, NHG Health
Tel: (65) 6038 3634
Email: syarafina.hasan@nhghealth.com.sg