2024 Mainland-Hong Kong Joint Funding Scheme opens for applications
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The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) today (May 13) launched the 2024 Mainland-Hong Kong Joint Funding Scheme to invite proposals for applied research and development (R&D) projects jointly conducted by institutions in Hong Kong and the Mainland under three specific themes:
(i) Biotechnology: R&D of innovative drugs to treat chronic diseases;
(ii) Artificial Intelligence (AI): research on the security and privacy of AI systems, brain-inspired intelligence, smart healthcare (including medical robots), smart city; and
(iii) Sustainability engineering and technology: optoelectronic materials, third-generation semiconductor technologies, advanced green manufacturing, power management integrated circuits and modules.
Applications will be accepted from today until June 28.
Launched in 2019, the Scheme aims to support and encourage further R&D collaboration among universities, research institutes and technology enterprises in Hong Kong and the Mainland. Applications must be submitted simultaneously by the Hong Kong and Mainland institutions to the ITC and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) respectively, and the R&D work must be conducted in both places and involve co-operation between the two places. The ITC and MOST will provide funding to the Hong Kong and Mainland applicant organisations respectively, and will monitor project progress according to their own requirements.
An ITC spokesman said, “The Scheme facilitates R&D collaboration between Hong Kong and the Mainland, thereby enhancing the R&D development in the two places. As at end-February 2024, 94 projects were approved under the Scheme, involving a funding amount of over $180 million.”
Further information is available on the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) website (www.itf.gov.hk/en/mhkjfs). For enquiries, please contact the ITF Secretariat (Tel: 3655 5678; email: enquiry@itf.gov.hk).
Ends/Monday, May 13, 2024
Issued at HKT 10:00
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