SRDC BrightSparx Launched: Spark an Idea, Ignite World-Transforming Innovation
Published: Wednesday, 16 July 2025 Last Modified: Thursday, 24 July 202516th July 2025 – The Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC) and Sarawak Science Centre introduced the 2025/2026 edition of the SRDC BrightSparx grant program to foster the mastery of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) amongst pupils in Sarawak and nurture in them critical thinking and inquisitive research mindsets.
SRDC BrightSparx offers a grant of RM5,000 for school pupils to bring their ideas to fruition. It focuses on real-world challenges and opportunities, particularly those that bring societal and economic benefits in line with Sarawak’s PCDS2030 aspirations.
In his speech today at SMK Long Lama’s 60th Anniversary Celebration and STEM Catalysts PPD Baram 2025 event, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, the Ministry for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Sarawak, said, “SRDC invests in our young generation through the SRDC BrightSparx grant program. We want our future generation to be STEM-driven. Sparks of ideas from the program may lead to innovations that change the game for Sarawak in the future. “It encourages ideas for innovations that are grounded, well understood and connected to the real world, making the ideas more feasible”. “SRDC BrightSparx gives Sarawak’s youth the opportunity to solve problems that matter to their local community and globally. Whether it is creating smart agriculture tools, designing biomedical devices or developing eco-engineering solutions, students will be supported by SRDC assigned mentors. This will be a valuable experience that stretches far beyond winning a trophy.”.
The grant program is divided into 2 categories - primary and secondary school categories. Each team consists of up to 3 pupils accompanied by 1 teacher. At the start of the program, 100 teams will be selected. The grant shall be awarded to each selected team to research, develop and prototype their ideas over 6 months. During this time, SRDC will provide mentorship and technical guidance to participants through its network of educators, university partners and industry professionals. A bootcamp shall be organised to equip participants with STEM and problem-solving know-how. 20 teams will advance to the next round after pitching the prototype of their ideas to assessors from the scientific and professional communities. The selectees will be further mentored and eventually pitch their refined prototypes at the SRDC-SIDC Innovation, Science, and Health Symposium September 2026.
“At the heart of SRDC BrightSparx is a firm conviction that even ideas born in a classroom in a remote village in Sarawak might one day shape the world”, Ts. Dr. Peter Morin Nissom, General Manager of SRDC, explained. “However, an idea alone is not sufficient to create impact. It must be supported by deep understanding of STEM and methodical research and development approaches” he adds. "Pupils are invited to develop ideas to tackle health challenges using biotechnology, create economic value from our biodiversity and enhance productivity using engineering and technology solutions. The grant program also welcomes ideas in strengthening future food security through agrotechnology and protecting forests, rivers, and species through smart conservation technologies. The ideas shall be assessed based innovation, depth of STEM application, potential impact and completeness of their subsequent prototypes. Prizes will be awarded to the top ideas, with the best idea accorded the Premier’s BrightSparx Innovation Award."