(1)   Joint Research Scheme (JRS)

(2) Collaborative Research Scheme (CRS)

(i) Research Grants

(ii) Conference Grants

Nature

• To promote collaboration between researchers / research teams in HK and the Mainland on the basis of complementing existing strengths of both sides

• To facilitate HK and the Mainland young researchers of similar fields to develop new collaboration through dissemination of their recent and unpublished research work

• To support larger scale collaborative research across disciplines and / or across universities in the Mainland and HK, with a view to enhancing the research output and impact on both sides

Funding Ceiling on HK Side

HK$1.25M

(exclusive of on-costs)

HK$250,000 per conference

HK$3.6M

(exclusive of on-costs)

Institutional Quota

/

/

 5 on HK side

Key Features of Application  

• Parallel submission to RGC (HK PI) and NSFC (Mainland PI) respectively is required
• Two-stage application
• Currently inviting Preliminary Proposals

• Submission to RGC (HK PI) only
• One-stage application

• Parallel submission to RGC (HK PC) and NSFC (Mainland PC) respectively is required
• One-stage application

Remarks

• A joint proposal submitted by a Mainland PI/PC affiliated with a Mainland institution which is established and operated by the same UGC-funded University of the HK PI/PC (e.g. CUHK + CUHK (SZ)) will NOT be considered as a valid collaboration. Such application will be disqualified by the RGC.
• Each applicant is only allowed to submit one application in the capacity of either (1) PI under JRS or (2) PC under CRS in the same exercise.
• For (1) (ii) Conference Grants, HK PI OR Co-I should meet the eligibility requirements for the RGC Early Career Scheme (ECS), and should collaborate with a Mainland Co-organizer who meets the eligibility requirements as “young scientists” specified by the NSFC.
• HK PIs/PCs of an on-going NSFC/RGC JRS or CRS research project are not allowed to submit a new application for JRS/CRS research grant in the capacity of PI/PC unless both collaborative partners have submitted their respective completion reports of the project to NSFC and RGC before the application deadline.
• Colleagues who are currently holding/participating in any ongoing project(s) under the NSFC should consult the NSFC (hmt@nsfc.gov.cn) to ensure their eligibility to apply for this Scheme as HK PI or HK Co-I.