Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology has launched the Strategic Research Program to strengthen the national research ecosystem and accelerate industrial downstreaming.
The program is divided into three main clusters: the Top Researcher Scheme, Impactful Research Scheme, and Strategic Research Downstreaming Scheme, all financed by the Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP).
“These focus areas align with national strategic priorities to address key challenges such as energy self-sufficiency, food security, achieving 8 percent economic growth, and waste management solutions,” Director General of Research and Development Fauzan Adziman said on Tuesday.
He said the initiative aims to develop research and entrepreneurial universities through an integrated ecosystem supporting Indonesia’s transition toward “University 4.0.”
University 4.0 refers to higher education institutions that generate real societal impact, particularly amid rapid digital and technological transformation.
“We are not only creating programs but also ensuring that research outcomes truly benefit society,” Adziman said.
The Strategic Research Program focuses on eight priority industrial sectors: food, energy, health, defense, maritime, downstreaming and industrialization, digitalization (including artificial intelligence and semiconductors), and advanced materials and manufacturing. These are aligned with President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita vision for national development.
To enhance the program’s effectiveness, Adziman said the ministry will help build an integrated ecosystem that connects academics, industries, and policymakers in solving research-based challenges.
He added that the selection process for research proposals is expected to be completed by December, with funding to be distributed by February 2026 to ensure immediate implementation.
Adziman called on universities, industry players, and research institutions to collaborate closely to strengthen Indonesia’s research and innovation landscape.
At the same event, the ministry also launched the 2026 Priority Research Program, which will be funded through the state budget (APBN), reinforcing the government’s commitment to advancing science, technology, and innovation as pillars of sustainable economic growth.
