Digital Society Research Grants for Academia and Industry in Malaysia

Deadline: 14-Sep-2026

The Digital Society Research Grant (DSRG) and Digital Society Research Grant for Industry (DSRGX) support academic-led research on Malaysia’s communications and multimedia sector. Cycle 2 provides up to RM10,000 per project for research aligned with digital citizenship and cyberwellness, digital inclusion, future of work, or sustainability and ESG.

About the Digital Society Research Grant

The Digital Society Research Grant (DSRG) and Digital Society Research Grant for Industry (DSRGX) provide research funding for projects examining how digital technologies affect society, communities, workplaces, and the environment in Malaysia. The grants are designed to support evidence-based research that can help address important gaps in Malaysia’s communications and multimedia ecosystem. Cycle 2 focuses on seven guided research titles. Each title includes predefined research objectives and research questions intended to direct researchers toward specific research gaps and policy-relevant issues. Research Focus Areas Research proposals must align with one of four priority areas:

1. Digital Citizenship & Cyberwellness

This area focuses on responsible, safe, and informed participation in digital environments.

Relevant topics include:

- Digital literacy - Cybersecurity awareness - Online safety - Cyberwellness - Responsible digital participation - Digital behavior and awareness

2. Digital Inclusion

Digital inclusion research examines barriers that prevent individuals and communities from accessing and benefiting from digital technologies.

Potential themes include:

- Accessibility - Digital divide - Equitable access to technology - Digital skills - Inclusion of underserved communities - Barriers to digital participation

3. Future of Work

This focus area examines how digital technologies are transforming employment, skills, workplaces, and workforce development.

Relevant themes include:

- Workforce transformation - Artificial intelligence (AI) literacy - Digital skills - Technology adoption in workplaces - Changing employment patterns - Future workforce requirements

4. Sustainability & ESG

This area addresses the environmental and social implications of digital technologies and the communications and multimedia sector.

Research may examine:

- Technology’s environmental impact - Sustainability - Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices - Sustainable digital development - Responsible technology use - Environmental effects of digital transformation Funding Available The DSRG and DSRGX provide up to RM10,000 per research project, equivalent to approximately US$2,200.

Funding is disbursed in three stages:

- 50% upon acceptance of the grant - 40% after submission of the interim report - 10% upon completion of the project Researchers may also seek matching funds from their higher educational institutions or other funding sources to cover additional eligible research expenses. What Expenses Are Covered?

Eligible research expenses may include:

- Remuneration for temporary research personnel - Domestic travel - Research materials - Conference participation - Publication costs The grant does not cover certain expenses, including: - Salaries for permanent staff - Purchase of electronic assets Applicants should ensure that proposed expenditures are directly connected to the research project and comply with the applicable grant requirements. Who Is Eligible? The grant is intended for research projects led by full-time academic faculty members at Malaysian higher educational institutions. Eligible applicants should meet the following requirements: - Be a full-time academic faculty member. - Be affiliated with a Malaysian higher educational institution. - Work in communications, social sciences, humanities, or a related discipline. - Have a doctoral degree as the Lead Researcher. - Remain affiliated with the Malaysian institution for the duration of the project. - Form a research team of at least two members. Research teams may also include co-researchers from outside academia where their expertise can strengthen the project. Who Can Be Involved in the Research Team? The grant encourages multidisciplinary and collaborative research. Depending on the research topic, teams may involve: - Academic researchers - Industry professionals - Policymakers - Communications and multimedia stakeholders - Representatives of target communities - Other subject-matter experts Including these perspectives can help researchers develop findings that are relevant to real-world digital society challenges. Why the Digital Society Research Grant Matters Digital transformation is changing how people communicate, work, access services, and participate in society. Research supported through the DSRG and DSRGX can contribute evidence on issues such as digital inclusion, cybersecurity, AI literacy, workforce transformation, accessibility, and technology-related sustainability. The program is particularly relevant because its guided research topics are designed around identified gaps in Malaysia’s communications and multimedia ecosystem. How the Research Grant Works Applicants should structure their proposed research around the grant’s designated focus areas and guided research titles.

A typical preparation process involves:

- Select an eligible research area Choose one of the four priority areas that matches the proposed research. - Review the guided research titles Cycle 2 includes seven predefined research titles with specific objectives and research questions. - Develop the research proposal Explain the research problem, objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and relevance to Malaysia’s digital society. - Build the research team Ensure the team meets the minimum requirement of two members and includes appropriate expertise. - Prepare the budget Allocate the maximum available funding of RM10,000 to eligible expenses. - Identify additional funding if required Researchers can explore matching funds from their