The Hong Kong R&D Centre Programme is the core initiative driven by the Innovation and Technology Commission of HKSAR Government with the aim to harness Hong Kong's advantages in applied research, intellectual property protection, business-friendly environment and proximity to the manufacturing based in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region, to thrive as a regional technology service hub.

Under the Programme, there are six Centres. Hong Kong Jockey Club Institute of Chinese Medicine Limited was firstly established in 2001 to spearhead the development of Chinese medicine as a high value-added industry for Hong Kong.

In 2006, five new R&D centres are set up to undertake industry-oriented research in technologies demanded increasingly in the PRD. The five Centres will focus on Automotive parts and accessory systems; Information and communications technologies; Logistics and supply chain management enabling technologies; Nanotechnology and advanced materials; Textiles and clothing.