In accordance with the Indonesian regulation (Govt. Regulation no. 41/ 2006), all foreign researchers doing research activities in Indonesia must obtain an official permit from the Indonesian authority in advance, i.e., the National Research and Innovation Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (BRIN). This is not related to the length of time you intend to do research, in case of any type of research in Indonesia, this permit is required. Researchers/individuals not traveling to Indonesia for research, but who do have access to the database of a researcher who conducted research in Indonesia are also obliged to obtain a research permit. 

Based on article 76 of Law Number 11 of 2019 concerning the National System of Science and Technology, foreign researchers that will conduct research in Indonesia must involve Indonesian researchers as research partners.

There are certain steps to take in the process to obtain your research permit:

Step 1: Prepare the required documents and select a local research partner
Foreign researchers who would like to conduct research in Indonesia are obliged to submit the research proposal and other documents required by the Ethics Committee. You also need to provide the collaborative research agreement documents and the guarantee letter from the local partners. 

Step 2: Apply for ethical clearance and research permit from BRIN
Indonesia requires foreign researchers to apply for ethical clearance and research permits. You will need to login and do the self-assessment via https://klirensetik.brin.go.id. We suggest you also read the instructions listed on their website before applying: https://klirensetik.brin.go.id/prosedur. The Foreign Research Permit business process starts after submitting research proposals. Once the application is approved by the Ethics Committee, you need to pay the research permit fee that can be seen on Procedure | Ethical Clearance (brin.go.id). Normally, the ethical clearance and research permit will be granted within three days after payment. 

If you miss any documents, it will only prolong the process, which should usually take about two to three weeks. For any specific questions, you can also email klirensetik@brin.go.id or research.permit@brin.go.id. 

Step 3: Apply for other required application letters.
After obtaining the research permit from BRIN, foreign researchers should request the local partner to provide all needed application letters, such as visas (https://visa-online.imigrasi.go.id/), limited stay permits (https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/), traveling permits, research notification letters from the Ministry of Home Affairs (https://ula.kemendagri.go.id/loginpublik), and entering permits for conservation areas.

For example, if you would like to do research in a national park, you need permission for this from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Your local partners need to report to the Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, National Park Office, or Natural Resources Conservation Office of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to obtain this permit

.Full guideline book for applying for the research permit from BRIN (including FAQs): https://ipsh.brin.go.id/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Foreign-Research-GUIDE-LINE-BOOK-ENGLISH-Okt_26_2022.pdf.

After completion of the steps described above, you are welcome in Indonesia to conduct your research. In case you have questions and/or encounter challenges in obtaining your research permit, please reach out to us via jak-owa@minbuza.nl.

When bringing and/or sending research samples/specimens, foreign researchers must obtain written permission from the competent government agency and must sign a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) with the relevant parties. Procedures for collecting and delivering research samples of wild plants and animals are as follows:

Step 1 – You need to submit an application for Scientific Recommendations to the Executive Director of BRIN Secretariat of Scientific Authority for Biodiversity. The Secretariat will conduct an assessment based on the application and based on scientific considerations within 30 days.

Step 2 – You will receive a Scientific Recommendation Letter for the collection and delivery of research samples with a copy to the Director of Biodiversity and Species Genetics Conservation.

Step 3 – You are required to submit an application for Domestic Transporting Permit for Wild Plants and Animals or Overseas Transporting Permit for Wild Plants and Animals with the attachment of a Scientific Recommendation Letter (full information can be found via the link http://graccess.co.id/)

Here, we refer to the Convention on Biological Diversity and Nagoya Protocol ratified by the Indonesian Government. The Nagoya Protocol has been ratified by the Government of Indonesia through Act No. 11 Year 2013 on Ratification of Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits of Arising from Their Utilization of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Once you are in Indonesia to conduct your research, you have to commit yourself to mandatory deposit of your primary research data and output of research results. 

According to BRIN Regulation No. 18 of 2022 Article 12: Mandatory Deposit of Primary Data and the Output of Research Results in BRIN, foreign parties who work with BRIN are obliged to do a Deposit Primary Data and the Output of Research Results. The foreign parties are Foreign Science and Technology Institutions and/or Foreigners.

Based on Indonesian Law No. 11 of 2019 Article 40 (3), primary data is authentic raw data in various forms obtained from research, development, assessment and application activities. Moreover, BRIN Regulation No. 18 of 2019 Article 7 (2), primary data could be formed in: graphics; tables; maps; still images; video; audio records; visual records; transcript; and/or source code.

The access setting for the data saved in National Scientific Repository (RIN) is fully set by the data owners who are defined as three entities such as researchers, research institutions, and funders. There are also three levels of access (open, moderate/restricted, and closed) based on the RIN policy.

The process for including your research data in the national scientific repository is as follows:

Step 1 – You need to create an account via Account - RIN Dataverse (brin.go.id).

Step 2 – Click on Add Data menu and choose New Dataverse. Then, complete all required information.

Step 3 – Click on Create Dataverse and automatically your first Dataverse is ready to be used.

For more information, please visit: RIN Data Repository (brin.go.id)
In case you have questions and/or encounter challenges in submitting your research data and results into the national scientific repository, please reach out to us via jak-owa@minbuza.nl 

In September 2023 a session was organized for the Dutch Knowledge Industry involving BRIN delegates. This session was recorded and transcribed. Please watch via this link for more information.

Note: This information is updated as of September 5, 2024. It is possible that there will be updates regarding regulations from the Indonesian Government. If there is an update, we will announce it on this website or our social media.