NParks & NUS to establish new marine science research centre of excellence

A new marine science research centre of excellence is set to be established in Singapore under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2030 Plan (RIE2030).

The National Parks Board (NParks) is partnering with the National University of Singapore (NUS) on the centre, said Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan.

He was speaking at the ministry’s Committee of Supply debates in Parliament on Mar. 4, 2026.

Further details regarding the S$60 million research programme conducted at the centre will be released later in 2026.

The centre will bring together expertise across disciplines to develop local capabilities and talent, working with institutions, such as St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory and partners across the marine community, NParks said.

Understanding our marine environment

Singapore's marine environment supports diverse coastal and marine habitats that provide essential ecological services.

But as a small island nation, Singapore faces escalating pressures from intensifying human activities, climate change, and resource requirements.

Better understanding of these dynamics and developing appropriate management responses

will support sustainable growth within our marine environment, NParks said.

To achieve this, the new marine science research centre of excellence will adopt an integrated, interdisciplinary research approach and strengthen long-term local capabilities to better manage Singapore’s marine ecosystems.

It will bring together expertise from research institutes, universities and industry to sustain research momentum and grow Singapore’s marine science ecosystem.

The centre will also develop a strong pipeline of local talent to build capabilities across academia, industry and government.

In addition, it will serve as a platform for regional collaboration, facilitating data sharing and comparative assessments of marine health across Southeast Asia to improve collective understanding of shared waters.

The centre will also consolidate and build on existing efforts under the Marine Climate Change Science Research Programme and its predecessor, the Marine Science Research & Development Programme, NParks said.

Research efforts under the new research centre will focus on three key areas, supported by technology, namely, biodiversity and nature, environment and climate and ecosystem resilience.

Top photo from Canva