The Science and Technology Foundation of Mongolia (MFST) is the country’s main state-funded organization responsible for financing scientific research, developing technological capacity, and supporting innovation. MFST serves as the central mechanism for government support of R&D, acting as a bridge between research institutions, universities, government ministries, and the innovation sector.
Обзор: Main research funding programs in Mongolia
The Science and Technology Foundation of Mongolia (MFST)
The Science and Technology Foundation of Mongolia (MFST) is the country’s main state-funded organization responsible for financing scientific research, developing technological capacity, and supporting innovation. MFST serves as the central mechanism for government support of R&D, acting as a bridge between research institutions, universities, government ministries, and the innovation sector.
Fundamental Research Grant Call
Purpose: Support for theoretical and basic scientific research.
Typical fields include:
-physics, mathematics, chemistry;
-biology, ecology;
-earth sciences and geology;
-humanities and social sciences.
Eligible applicants: universities and state research institutes.
Applied Research & Technology Development Grant
Finances research aimed at solving practical problems or developing new technologies.
Possible thematic areas:
-agricultural technologies;
-medicine and biotechnology;
-digital technologies;
-engineering and materials science;
-climate, natural resources, and ecology.
Focus: development of prototypes and technologies at TRL(Technology Readiness Levels) levels 3–6.
2.Young Researchers Grant
Supports researchers under 35 years old.
Funds small-scale projects, data collection, publications, and participation in research activities.
Aimed at fostering the next generation of scientists and innovators.
- Innovation & Commercialisation Grant
Funds the transition of scientific results into market-ready products.
Supports:
-patenting;
-prototype development;
-technology-based startups;
-pilot implementations.
Typically requires collaboration between universities and the private sector.
- Priority National Programmes
Each year, the government establishes priority research areas, and MFST announces grant calls aligned with these national priorities.
Examples include:
- natural resources and mining;
- climate and sustainable development;
- health and biomedical sciences;
- digital transformation;
- agriculture and food systems.
- All official competitions are posted on the MFST website:
MFST Official Website: https://stf.gov.mn
News and Grant Announcements: https://stf.gov.mn
The Chinggis Khaan Grant
The Chinggis Khaan Grant, fully funded visiting research grant (2025–2030) established by the Government of Mongolia and the University of Cambridge to support research on Chinggis Khaan and the Mongol Empire.
Who administers it?
The programme is administered by MIASU, University of Cambridge, in partnership with:
-The Ministry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth of Mongolia
-The Institute of Chinggis Khaan Heritage and Culture
What does it fund?
Each year, the grant offers three fully funded research visits:
One Mongolian scholar – up to 9 months at Cambridge
One Mongolian scholar – up to 3 months at Cambridge
One MIASU-affiliated scholar – up to 3 months in Mongolia
What is covered (fully funded):
-Round-trip airfare
-Accommodation support
-Monthly stipend (£2,500 for Mongolian scholars at Cambridge; £1,000 for a Cambridge scholar in Mongolia)
-Visa fees
-Full access to libraries and research resources in Cambridge and Mongolia
-Participation in seminars, conferences, and cultural programmes
Main purpose: to develop a new generation of scholars and to advance international research on Chinggis Khaan and Mongolian history.
Additional information https://www.miasu.socanth.cam.ac.uk