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What is TD Sandbox

Learn about the Total Defence Sandbox (TD Sandbox), a platform by Singapore's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).

Last updated 15 July 2025

What is Total Defence Sandbox?

The Total Defence Sandbox seeks ground-up proposals from Singaporeans, especially youths, to start initiatives that put Total Defence into action. Individuals/groups whose proposals are shortlisted will get the chance to work with us and relevant partners to prototype their ideas and even fully implement them!

We are calling for ideas for the Total Defence Sandbox!

Our Issue Statement

"ARE YOU READY FOR DISRUPTIONS?”

The world is becoming more and more dangerous. Today, the people who defend Singapore’s security have to worry about not only bombs and guns, but also cyberattacks, hostile information campaigns, and climate-related disasters. A conflict happening thousands of miles beyond our borders can disrupt our food supply, our access to essential services, or our relationships with our neighbours, colleagues, and friends. How can we be more prepared and stand together in the face of these potential disruptions and challenges? We need your ideas and creativity to help us strengthen and put Total Defence into action – work with us to keep Singapore strong, together!

Have an idea on how we can help one another be more prepared and ready for crises and disruptions? Submit your proposal here!

How do I submit ideas?

Submit your ideas via www.go.gov.sg/tdsandbox. You may register as an individual or in a team. For teams comprising two or more members, only the team leader needs to register and submit the idea.

Submission requirements

  1. Register and submit your idea via www.go.gov.sg/tdsandbox. Only ideas submitted via this link will be accepted.

  2. Please fill in all mandatory fields for the online form.

  3. Your submission should cover the following:

    • Proposed initiative / idea

    • How the idea targets the issue statement

    • How Total Defence will be put into action

    • The support required from organisers / partners

    • Storyboard outline

    • Expected outcomes & measurements

  4. Your submission should come in the form of a Word document, PowerPoint presentation or PDF file. The attachment file size limit is up to 20MB.

    • Word Document (no more than 10 pages)

    • PowerPoint Presentation (no more than 10 slides)

    • PDF File (no more than 10 pages)

What should I expect after submitting my ideas?

Shortlisted participants may be invited to give a short presentation to Nexus, MINDEF. We will inform participants in advance to prepare for the presentation. Below is the submission process for reference:

Five-step Total Defence Sandbox process: submit idea, review, pitch, implement, showcase.

Evaluation Criteria

Ideas submitted will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Evaluation criteria and indicators for assessing submitted ideas

Criteria

Indicators

Willingness to Act

  • Team / Participant’s level of commitment to execution of the project.

Receptivity

  • Does the idea / initiative have a wow factor?

  • How viral or well-received the initiative would be by the end user / community.

Analysis

  • Ideas are clearly formulated and encompasses a Total Defence core.

  • Decisions are reasoned with facts and quantitative data.

  • Creative and practical assumptions are made where no data is available.

Applicability / Quality of Implementation

  • Ideas are feasible for execution within budget and solve the issue.

  • Solution does not contradict common sense and/or law.

  • Solution has people impact and provides benefit to the end user / community.

  • Solution enables continuity and is sustainable in the long run.

Innovation of Solution

  • Distinctive – sets you apart from competition.

  • Desirable – demonstrates a clear benefit.

  • Originality – is it a completely fresh approach or does a similar initiative already exist.

  • Business Value – helps build overall brand equity.

Presentation (Applicable only for Top Ideas selected for Pitching)

  • Team members are confident navigating their solution content.

  • Participants perform confidently and enthusiastically.

  • Visualisations clearly shows the initiative and its functionality.

  • Q&A: Questions are understood and clarified; answers make sense.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is there an age limit for participants?

No, there is no age limit. All ideas and suggestions are welcome.

2. Who is eligible to take part?

The Total Defence Sandbox is open to all Singaporeans and Permanent Residents. Foreigners are not eligible to take part.

3. Is there a maximum team size to participate?

There is no maximum limit on team size. Submissions are open to individuals and teams with two or more persons. The submission for a team should be made by the team leader.

4. I have previously submitted my idea to other challenges / competition. Can I still submit my idea to the Total Defence Sandbox?

Yes, you can.

5. Can I submit more than 1 idea to the Total Defence Sandbox?

Yes, you can. Multiple entries are permitted but each idea should be submitted separately.

6. Who can I contact if I have questions or require help with my submission?

You may email Ernie Cheong at Cheong_En_Shuo@mindef.gov.sg.

7. If I have other ideas related to Total Defence that do not target the issue stated, can I still submit a proposal?

Yes, you can.