As a comprehensive university, research conducted at CUHK covers a broad spectrum of disciplines. Researchers are highly encouraged to engage in interdisciplinary research. As outlined in our Strategic Plan, emphasis is put on 4 strategic research areas, including 1) China: Tradition and Modernity, 2) Innovative Biomedicine, 3) Information and Automation Technology and 4) Environment and Sustainability. The 4 areas cover a number of synergistic themes that cross the boundaries of academic units. CUHK ranked 26th globally in the Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2025.
Interdisciplinary Research Units
With a clear and pronounced emphasis on interdisciplinary research that crosses the boundaries of individual academic units, CUHK seeks to optimize opportunities to generate impactful outcomes. Our various research institutes and centres are set up as natural platforms for researchers from different academic departments and disciplines to collaborate on a global basis. Periodic reviews of the research units recognize interdisciplinary research endeavours.
Below are some examples of our interdisciplinary research units. A complete list of our research institutes and centres can be found here.
Research Facilities
In support of the many research activities, there are centralized facilities as well as specialized equipment and research infrastructure housed in the faculties and research units, optimized for shared use. The University has supported the acquisition of high-performance equipment (e.g., superresolution nanoscope, mass spectrometry system, multifunctional low-temperature X-ray diffraction system, arbitrary waveform generator). Introduction of state-of-the-art facilities and equipment including Cornerstone laboratories, Jockey Club STEM Labs, Histotripsy 2.0 system were enabled through generous external grants and donations.
Research Support
CUHK has formulated internal funding schemes to facilitate interdisciplinary research including those covering our strategic areas. Many of these internal funding schemes are designed to provide initial support for larger external grant applications. We have also utilized much of the funding from the Research Grants Council’s Research Matching Grant Scheme to support interdisciplinary research. There are also research postgraduate places specifically designated to support interdisciplinary research. Research outputs and impact generated from interdisciplinary research are recognized in the academic staff performance reviews, including the annual Academic Staff Development Review and the substantiation and promotion exercises. Administrative support is provided by both the central units (e.g., Office of Research and Knowledge Transfer Services, Library) and respective academic and research units.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Institutional Research Information System (IRIS) is CUHK’s new institutional platform for central management of the University’s research-related information, including grants, projects, research outputs, knowledge transfer activities, prizes, and media coverage. More information about our innovation and research can be found here.