ASEAN Science Technology and Innovation Fund Call 2026: AI-Enabled Competitive and Resilient Region

The ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI) invites institutions from ASEAN Member States (AMS) to submit project proposals for funding under the ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Fund (ASTIF) Call 2026, with a total budget of USD 1,200,000, to catalyse collaborative research and innovation on Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the region, in line with the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI) 2026–2035.

Funding Organization: ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Fund (ASTIF)

Priority Areas:

(1) AI for Health, Bioeconomy and Food Security

(2) AI for Space, Earth, Ocean and Climate Intelligence

(3) AI for Advanced Materials and Energy Transition

(4) AI for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Productivity and Workforce Development.

Funding Tracks

Proposals may be submitted under one of two tracks:

• Open Competitive Call Track – Open to higher education institutions, public research organisations, government agencies, non-profit organisations, private sector companies, start-ups, and other legally registered organisations engaged in science, technology and innovation (STI) activities in AMS.

• COSTI Sub-Committee Track – Open to entities serving as national focal points for COSTI Sub-Committees in each AMS. Proposals under this track must be endorsed by the respective COSTI Sub-Committee prior to submission.

Eligibility

Eligible activities under this Call include:

• Collaborative research or development of models or AI-enabled tools or solutions;

• Technology demonstration or proof-of-concept of AI solutions;

• Development or enhancement of shared infrastructure and data systems for AI research and development.

Mandatory Requirements (Both Tracks)

• Applicants must be legally registered entities based in an ASEAN Member State. Individual applicants are not eligible under either track.

• The project team must comprise members from at least two ASEAN Member States (AMS).

• All proposals must be submitted through the National COSTI Focal Point of the AMS serving as the project lead.

• Maximum project duration: 24 months.

• There is no fixed budget cap, but requested budgets must be limited to eligible expenditure categories.

Encouraged Elements (Not Mandatory)

• Proposals involving more than two AMS in the project team are encouraged.

• Projects that include team members from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Viet Nam, and Timor-Leste (CLMV-TL) serving as co-leads alongside non-CLMV-TL AMS.

• Collaboration with Dialogue Partners (through co-funding, technical expertise, infrastructure sharing, capacity-building support, data contributions, or other forms of collaboration) is encouraged.

• COSTI Sub-Committee Track only: Proposals involving collaboration among two or more COSTI Sub-Committees are encouraged, with one Sub-Committee identified a Lead Sub-Committee and one or more Co-Implementing Sub-Committees.

Maximum Award: There is no fixed budget cap, but requested budgets must be limited to eligible expenditure categories.

Application Process: Proposals must be submitted through the National COSTI Focal Point of the AMS serving as the project lead, for onward submission to the ASEAN Secretariat. Thailand’s focal points: Dr. Plaiphan Seupsook (plaiphan.s@mhesi.go.th) and Ms. Thanaporn Nuannukun (thanaporn.n@mhesi.go.th).

Application Deadline: 16 October 2026

Further information: https://astnet.asean.org/astif/

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For more information, please contact

Ms. Panida Suwannatheerak and Ms. Mananchaya Pissaparn

Tel. 02 470 9654

Email: researchfollowup@kmutt.ac.th