Director General of Research and Development, Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. M. Fauzan Adziman, S.T., M.Eng, said that the government has allocated Rp1.28 trillion in research funding for more than 16,800 proposals from 1,503 universities. This research funding is expected to encourage a research ecosystem with more focused and relevant themes. “So we will develop priority programs with an equal distribution function,” said Fauzan at the Innovation Forum: Harmonization of Innovation Downstreaming Grants 2025 seminar at the Faculty of Engineering, Gadjah Mada University, on Friday (26/9).
Fauzan stated that Kemdiktisaintek has developed a strategy to simplify the research program into two major parts, namely the priority research program and the strategic research program. For priority research, Kemdiktisaintek seeks to optimize funding sourced from the state budget. Meanwhile, for strategic research programs, his office selects research that is strategic and impactful. “We look for those with high potential, those that address issues that we must resolve immediately or urgently,” he explained.
The Vice Rector for Research, Business Development and Cooperation at UGM, Dr. Danang Sri Hadmoko, said that UGM is committed to ensuring that research and innovation results do not stop at publication or prototypes, but rather focus on how these innovations can bridge the innovation gap, often referred to as the valley of death. “This is the essence of innovation downstreaming, which is to turn science and technology into solutions that have a social, economic, and environmental impact,” he explained.
The Innovation Forum, said Danang, is an important momentum to synchronize steps. Various innovation commercialization grant programs launched by the government, such as the Promoting Research and Innovation through Modern and Efficient Science and Technology Parks Project (Prime STeP), the Matching Fund Program (PDP), and the Commercialization of Priority Research, have paved the way for universities to go further. “These programs certainly present strategic opportunities to strengthen the bridge between campus research and real-world needs,” he explained.
The Director of Business Development (PU) at UGM, Prof. Sang Kompiang, said that this year, UGM received grants for innovation development, Technology Promotion Grant Management by TimPakar/Assessment and Matching Fund Programs from the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education. Meanwhile, he said that the Innovation Development Grant, Synergy, and Startup Grant were supported by the Asian Development Bank. In addition, the UGM Science Technopark and the downstream synergy scheme received support from the Indonesian Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education. “These two major programs are expected to support the growth of startup innovation and innovation to compete globally,” he said.
He also explained that UGM Science Techno Park (STP) currently plays a major role in driving the innovation ecosystem at UGM. Through the Technology Transfer Office and programs such as the Innovative Academy, UGM STP oversees research results from the laboratory until they are ready to be utilized, either in the form of licensing agreements or startup development.
During the Innovation Forum, a signing ceremony was held for the Innovation Development Grant, Synergy, and Startup Grant cooperation agreement between the Acting Director of Business Development/Chair of IPMO, Prof. Ir. Sang Kompiang Wirawan, S.T., M.T., Ph.D, and Dr.drg. Indra Bramanti, M.Sc., Sp.KGA, Prof. Drs. Gede Bayu Suparta, M.S., Ph.D, and Astriani Dwi Aryaningtyas, S.Psi., M.A., witnessed by the Vice Rector for Research, Business Development and Cooperation at UGM, Dr. Danang Sri Hadmoko, S.Si., M.Sc.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photo: Donnie
