Australia-Singapore Initiative on Low Emissions Technologies (ASLET) Grant Call

Introduction

1.     The Australia-Singapore Initiative on Low-Emissions Technologies (ASLET) for Maritime and Port Operations aims to accelerate towards a net-zero emissions future while delivering bilateral economic benefits.

2.     The ASLET initiative is co-delivered by CSIRO, Australia's national science agency and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and is supported by the Governments of Singapore and Australia.

Objective

3.     The objectives of the ASLET grant opportunity are to provide funding to projects that will contribute to the following outcomes:

1. Reduced costs of using low emissions fuels and technologies, including clean hydrogen and its derivatives, in maritime and port operations.
2. Improved technical and commercial readiness of low emissions fuels and technologies in maritime and port operations, including industry awareness and acceptance.
3. Improved industry investment in, and uptake of low emissions technologies in Australia and Singapore, as well as increased economic and employment opportunities.
4. Reduced emissions in Australia and Singapore through contribution towards national emissions reduction targets and global emissions reductions targets set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for shipping.
5. Strengthened connections among Australia and Singapore maritime and port industry users, technology suppliers, researchers, and other relevant industry participants.

Challenge Statement

4.     The broad challenge statement and objectives are shown below.

5.     For further details, please refer to the challenge focus areas and the ASLET Co-Design Process Synthesis Report.

Call for Proposals (CFP)

6.     We would like to invite interested companies and Institutes of Higher Learning/ Research Institutes (IHL/RIs) to submit proposals in collaboration with maritime partners. Please reach out to MPA (for companies based in Singapore) and Singapore Maritime Institute (for universities or research institutions in Singapore) for the application forms.

Proposal Requirements

7.     All proposals shall be received by MPA in the manner and by the time specified in the table titled “Key Information and Timelines” below. Proposals which are not submitted in accordance with these requirements will not be considered.

8.     Proposals submitted must have a validity period of one year from the Submission Deadline or such longer period as may be separately agreed to in writing between the applicant and MPA.

Evaluation Criteria

9.     Proposals received shall be evaluated in line with the criteria enclosed in the application forms under para 6.

Funding Support

10.     Companies project can be supported up to 30% (for non-SMEs) or up to 50% (for SMEs) of project grant from the MINT fund for qualifying items.

11.     IHL/RI project can be supported up to 100% of the approved direct costs.

Outcome of Evaluation

12.     MPA’s decision on the CFP is final.

13.     Nothing in this CFP shall be construed as amounting to any representation or warranty that MPA will necessarily shortlist any applicant or any number of applicants, provide any shortlisted applicant the opportunity to demonstrate their solution to any specific party, provide any specific form of support for the trials, or provide any shortlisted applicant the opportunity to be profiled at any specific fora. 

14.     MPA may accept the whole or any part(s) of the proposals as they may decide, unless the applicant expressly provides in its proposal that certain parts of the proposal are to be treated as indivisible. 

15.     MPA shall not be liable for any expenses, loss of profit and costs including indirect or consequential losses associated with or arising out of any party’s participation or intended participation in this CFP.

Queries and Requests

16.     Any questions and requests for clarification, including any request for an extension of time for the submission of proposals, must be submitted to MPA at mint@mpa.gov.sg (companies based in Singapore) or smi@maritimeinstitute.sg (universities or research institutions in Singapore) at least seven (7) working days before the Submission Deadline.

Confidentiality, Intellectual Property Rights, Data Governance

17.     All parties hold and retain the ownership of their data, Confidential Information and related intellectual property rights. Nothing in this CFP may be interpreted as a license to use or transfer, or an obligation to enter into any further agreement with respect to any data, Confidential Information and related intellectual property currently licensed to or owned by any party.

18.     All applicants who submit proposal(s) pursuant to this CFP shall be deemed to have given consent to MPA to disclose to CSIRO such proposal(s), along with any supporting data, documentation, information, and clarifications provided, and to MPA and CSIRO to disclose the same to such other parties as MPA and CSIRO in their respective discretions consider to be necessary in connection with this CFP.

Law and Jurisdiction

19.     This CFP and all proposals submitted pursuant to this CFP shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales.

20.     Any disputes and claims arising out of this CFP shall be referred to mediation at the Singapore Mediation Centre in accordance with the Mediation Procedure in force at the time of the referral.

21.     If and to the extent that any such dispute or claim cannot be resolved by mediation within six (6) months of the commencement of the mediation or such other time as may be mutually agreed between the parties, the parties concerned agree that the dispute shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration in Singapore in accordance with the Rules of the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration for the time being in force, which Rules are deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Clause. The Tribunal shall consist of a single arbitrator. The language of the arbitration shall be English. Any award made thereunder shall be final and binding upon the parties concerned and judgment on such award may be entered in any court or tribunal having jurisdiction thereof.

Industry Engagement Session

22.     MPA & CSIRO will be conducting an ASLET Grant Funding Information Session on 12 August 2024 and parties who are interested in submitting a proposal are encouraged to click here to register. Participation at the Industry Engagement Session is by RSVP only. Further details on the key timelines are set out in the table below.

Key Timelines

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