Mataram, University of Mataram – The University of Mataram (Unram) welcomed an official visit from representatives of the Deputy for Research and Innovation Facilitation, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), on Thursday, September 18, 2025. The visit aimed to hold a dialogue on research and innovation funding schemes while also strengthening strategic research collaboration between Unram and BRIN.

The delegation was led by BRIN’s Director of Research and Innovation Funding, Raden Arthur Ario Lelono, and was received by Unram Rector, Prof. Ir. Bambang Hari Kusumo, M.Agr.St., Ph.D., together with university leaders, deans, heads of institutions, and researchers. In his remarks, the Rector emphasized the importance of BRIN’s support in strengthening research rooted in local potential.

“Unram has approximately 1,400 lecturers and 38,000 students. Access to research funding will accelerate the development of innovations capable of addressing the region’s strategic challenges, ranging from food, energy, and health to marine resources,” stated the Rector of Unram.

The Director of Research and Innovation Funding at BRIN noted that up to 2025, Unram had submitted 18 proposals through the Competitive Research Grant Scheme, with 10 of them successfully funded. He further emphasized that BRIN’s funding schemes remain open to all researchers across Indonesia.

“This year, we have funded more than 1,600 research projects with a total allocation of approximately 780 billion rupiah. New proposals for 2026 funding will open in December 2025, and we hope to see more Unram researchers taking advantage of this opportunity,” stated BRIN’s Director of Research and Innovation Funding.

The dialogue is expected to serve as a significant milestone for Unram in strengthening its role as a leading research hub in eastern Indonesia, while also accelerating West Nusa Tenggara’s contribution to the national innovation ecosystem.