Applications open on 15 July 2020.
Government departments or agencies who oversee regulations and laws that oversee a certain industry.
MOSTI is spearheading the NTIS, supported by the NTIS Secretariat represented by MaGIC, TPM, MIMOS and Futurise to coordinate and facilitate its implementation.
We welcome more partners to join us as industry and tech experts, investors, facility and programme providers. Please email to ntis.enquiries@sandbox.gov.my
TRL is a method for estimating the maturity of technologies during the acquisition phase of a programme, which is developed by NASA. It is divided into 9 levels as below:
TRL 1 – Ideation
Basics principles are observed and reported
TRL 2 – Innovation begins
Basic principles observed so practical applications can be formulated
TRL 3 – Proof of concept
Analytical and laboratory studies are required to see if the technology is viable
TRL 4 – Component test
Laboratory testing of the prototype component
TRL 5 – Prototype construction
Laboratory testing of the integrated system
TRL 6 – Alpha testing
Prototype system demonstrated in an operational environment
TRL 7 – Beta testing
Completed design tested in real environment
TRL 8 – Certification
Proven to work under its expected conditions and certified to be used
TRL 9 – System proven to successfully function
Ready for commercial deployment
Yes. There will be some general feedback provided.
Yes, but please note the NTIS programme only allows one application per company per cohort.
The programme is ongoing with applications being processed on a monthly cohort basis.
No. We would not provide a sample of complete NTIS submission.
Each application has to have its own cost.
The NTIS focus is to help technology and regulatory adoption challenges locally.
Malaysian individuals or Malaysian-owned companies. The primary applicant must be a Malaysian citizen above 18 years old and residing in Malaysia.
Applications will be processed in cohorts (batches). Each cohort will usually require 31 working days of processing, subject to the completeness of information submitted.
Applicants will be notified on the status of their application by email once it has been screened.
Applications are open from 15 July 2020 onwards. The online form is available at www.sandbox.gov.my.
NTIS applicants’ solution must be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6. TRL is a method for estimating the maturity of technologies during the acquisition phase of a programme, developed at NASA.
Provide high-level concepts for the initial application process. Ideas submitted will receive email acknowledgement by the secretariat and is an overview of the concept. Submission will be kept strictly private and accessible to the secretariat only.
There is no limit to the number of applications but all applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritise their projects.
There is no application fee.
1. 5G/6G
2. Sensor Tech
3. 4d/5d printing
4. Advanced Material
5. Advanced Intelligent Systems
6. Augmented Analytics & Data Recovery
7. Blockchain
8. Neuro Tech
9. Bioscience Tech
10. Robotic
11. Manufacturing Tech
12. Electrical & Electronics
13. Cybersecurity & Encryption
14. Drones
NTIS can consider foreign technology provided that the solutions are owned by a Malaysian majority owned company. However, this solution is not eligible for funding under MTDC.
For an application to be considered for Greenlane, the applicant would need to have received financing from a government ministry, agency or GLC.
For more information on Greenlane, kindly refer to the guide in the application form.
Malaysian Individual or Malaysian-Owned Company
Foreign companies - JV plans / incorporation of Malaysian-owned entity upon approval of application
Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6 (Commercial Ready Prototype) and above
Have proof of technology ownership / permission to use the technology
Problems & Issues relating to market access / regulation
To drive talent development so the country reaches its potential of becoming a high tech nation.
To create an alternative route for local technology solution providers to access government procurement.
To increase sector productivity through the use of advanced technology.
To accelerate R&D and commercialisation by working with regulators to relax rules and regulations for a controlled testing environment.
To enhance Malaysia’s digital infrastructure and technology platforms.
Increase the innovation and commercialisation rate.
Address challenges facing society and the government at the national, federal and local level, which includes:
Reduce foreign national labour dependency.
Increase employment opportunities for Malaysians.
Increase Gross Domestic Product (GDP) / Gross National Income (GNI).
Increase participation, investment and collaboration in research by the private sector.
Increase the innovation and commercialisation rate.
MTDC’s role is to provide relevant funding for products/technologies/ services that resulted from local R&D output or innovations from prototype to commercialisation stage, which have been accepted into the National Technology & Innovation Sandbox programme. MTDC will facilitate access to funding for SMEs/startups to develop and to conduct validation processes or to commercialise their products/technologies/services in a controlled environment (sandbox). Besides that, MTDC will also be responsible to monitor the utilisation of the approved funds.
For the Sandbox Fund 1, funding will be in the form of a 100 percent grant for all eligible costs*.
For the Sandbox 2,3 & 4, the funding will be 70 percent of all eligible costs* according to the determined maximum quantum.
*Eligible costs for the funds include, but are not limited to the following:
Technology Licensing/Consultation Fees;
Purchase of Equipment/Machinery (Sandbox Fund 3 & 4 only);
Product registration/regulatory compliance costs;
Cost of Production;
IP registration;
Technology & Market Validation Activities;
Marketing & Promotional Costs (Sandbox Fund 3 & 4 only); and
Operational Expenditures.
The funds are open to all Malaysian Companies registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia, excluding sole proprietorships. The eligibility for each fund is subjected to additional terms and criteria which have been determined for each fund.
For the Sandbox Fund 1 and 2, the funding instrument is grant.
For the Sandbox Fund 3, the instrument is in the form of grant and Convertible Promissory Notes.
Whist for the Sandbox Fund 4, the funding mechanism will be mutually decided between MTDC and the corporate investor/entity.
The quantum of funding is between RM250,000 and RM4 million depending on the funding schemes.
For Sandbox 1 & 2, the disbursement of the fund shall be made via milestone basis. MTDC shall make payment once the set milestone is achieved.
For Sandbox 3, the disbursement shall be made via matching payment on a claim basis.
Applicants must be successfully accepted into the NTIS programme
The applicant must be a registered company in Malaysia which has at least 51% ownership by Malaysians and the primary base of operations is in Malaysia.
All applicants must first apply for the NTIS Programme via www.sandbox.gov.my
Once the application is accepted into the NTIS programme, the NTIS Secretariat shall notify MTDC. An officer from MTDC will contact the successful applicants to guide the applicant through the fund application process.
As long as the agency that provided you with the grant acknowledges your product and endorses your application, you are considered as part of the Greenlane application. However, it is subject to the completion of Greenlane endorsement steps as specified in the Greenlane endorsement guide.
ABC can be an applicant as long as ABC has obtained the letter of ownership and letter of acknowledgement/ agreement from the technology owner/ technology joint-owner on using the technology as part of the sandbox testing. However, the fund will only be awarded to ABC and its client, technology owner and/or any persons identified by MTDC may be required to sign the Personal/Corporate Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement.
As long as it is a brand-new innovative product/business model/product that is facing any regulatory hurdles are eligible for funding. However, the product must be commercialised to the market.
MTDC will only recognise any costs incurred for any particular projects for the period of three (3) months prior from the application date to MTDC.
A promissory note is a financial instrument that contains a written promise by one party (the note's issuer or maker) to pay another party (the note's payee) a definite sum of money, either on-demand or at a specified future date. Under this funding instrument, the value of the debt may be converted into equity in the form of preference shares. The conversion to equity will only be done upon mutual agreement of the fund recipient and MTDC. This arrangement would be similar to a soft loan.
No, you still need to follow the steps as per the Greenlane endorsement Guide.
The NTIS does not limit your application to other government funding/grants. However, please note that other grant/funding agencies may refer to the NTIS to find out about the funding received. MTDC has no restrictions on this. However, kindly note that you are not allowed to apply for the same item applied under the Sandbox Fund with other government funding/grants.
Yes, MTDC’s funding programmes are independent of the NTIS programme. However, please note that MTDC does not allow funding of the same item/project.
You may reach us via email at sandbox@mtdc.com.my
There is no prescribed format for the lab test report. As long as the lab test report provided shows that testing results and outcome of the testing’s, it is sufficient.
No.
We have two different technical evaluation teams. Nonetheless if required, an external technical agency will also support the evaluation process.
Yes, a policy recommendation is sufficient for us to consider the approval of your application but it is subject to approval from by the Executive Selection Committee and Funding Committee
No collaborator needed for you to apply for this grant.