NSTDA Chair Professor Program

NSTDA Chair Professor Program

Supports top Thai teams through selective chair professor appointments and advanced projects.

The NSTDA Chair Professor Program is one of Thailand's most selective research funding instruments, administered by the National Science and Technology Development Agency. Each cycle selects a maximum of two research groups, with each group receiving up to THB 20 million over five years. High-performing teams may qualify for a supplemental upgrade of up to THB 15 million within the original project timeline, bringing the potential ceiling per group to THB 35 million. The programme targets six strategic domains: bioscience and biotechnology, nanoscience, electronics and information technology, materials and manufacturing, energy and sustainability, and an open research category. Representative topic areas drawn from programme documents include quantum computing, artificial intelligence and data science, terahertz technologies, artificial photosynthesis, precision medicine, nano-robotics, and industrial automation.

Eligibility is restricted to research groups based at Thai universities or recognised research organisations; for-profit entities are not eligible. The principal investigator and team members must be Thai-based. Applications, proposal procedures, and output specifications are administered through NSTDA's Thai-language portal.

The programme's exceptionally low award count per cycle — a maximum of two groups — reflects its intent to concentrate investment in research groups with genuine international-calibre leadership potential. No upcoming call dates or open-competition deadlines were identified in available source materials. Interested applicants should monitor NSTDA announcements and, given the programme's competitive selectivity, engage NSTDA programme staff early in the preparation process.