Applications are open to all research areas including :

1. Mathematics
2. Physics
3. Earth Sciences and Astronomy
4. Chemistry
5. Biology, Medecine and Health
6. Human and Social Sciences
7. Economics and Business
8. Engineering
9. Information and Communication Technologies
10. Agronomy, Animal and Plant Production, Food

Project proposals are invited from French and Singaporean scientific concerns (e.g. universities, research institutes, companies engaged in R&D activities) to spearhead the 2009 MERLION programme.

The research can be carried out by either a research institute, university or company.  More than one party may be involved in the research but a project leader has to be designated.