The fund expands CRM’s role in Malaysia’s clinical research ecosystem beyond its established support for industry-sponsored studies. By creating a dedicated funding avenue for research conceived and led by investigators, CRM is reinforcing its commitment to strengthening the country’s research infrastructure, capabilities and workforce.
The fund will support essential activities that may fall outside the scope of conventional research grants and can prevent strong ideas from progressing. These include study operations, regulatory and legal requirements, and the publication and dissemination of research findings.
“Malaysia has capable investigators and strong research institutions, but scientific merit alone is not enough to move a study from concept to completion. Researchers also need practical support to navigate the operational, regulatory and publication requirements of high-quality clinical research,” said Dr Akhmal Yusof, Chief Executive Officer of CRM.
“Through this fund, CRM is taking a more direct role in enabling investigator-initiated research. By addressing critical funding gaps and practical barriers, we aim to help promising studies maintain momentum, reach completion and translate their findings into outcomes that benefit patients and the healthcare system,” he added.
Building on CRM’s investment across the research pathwayThe CRM Research Endowment Fund builds on the organisation’s sustained investment in Malaysia’s clinical research ecosystem, particularly across the MOH research landscape.
Since becoming self-sustaining in 2018, CRM has invested more than RM10 million in capability and capacity development across the MOH clinical research landscape. Approximately 40% of this investment supported Malaysia’s early-phase research infrastructure through CRM’s Phase 1 Realisation Project (P1RP), strengthening the country’s ability to conduct high-quality research from the earliest stages, including First-in-Human studies. CRM has also invested in the development of MOH investigators, regulatory capabilities and site readiness, creating a stronger pathway for locally developed healthcare innovations to progress into clinical research.
The new fund extends this support to another critical stage of the research pathway. By helping investigators conduct their studies and publish their findings, CRM aims to strengthen the contribution of locally led research to future healthcare planning, policy and development.
Open to MOH-affiliated investigators involved in clinical research, the CRM Research Endowment Fund will be administered under clear governance and oversight mechanisms. The Institute for Clinical Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia, will serve as the fund’s coordinating body.
About Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM)