State Science & Technology Awards

The SSTA aim to recognise outstanding contributions to the advancement of science and technology by individuals and organisations, as well as to stimulate the enthusiasm and creativity of persons working in the fields of science and technology, and to build an innovative and world-leading scientific and technological country.

There are five categories under the SSTA:

1. State Pre-eminent Science and Technology Award;
2. State Natural Science Award (SNSA);
3. State Technological Invention Award (STIA);
4. State Scientific and Technological Progress Award (SSTPA); and
5. International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Award of the People's Republic of China.

The STIA will be conferred on persons who work in the fields of science and technology and have made significant technological inventions on products, industrial techniques, materials, devices and their related systems.

The significant technological invention should meet the following criteria:

1. The invention must not have been invented by other people, or made public previously;
2. The invention must be original, creative and practical; and
3. Upon implementation, the invention produces significant economic, social, ecological and environmental benefits or makes significant contributions to maintaining national security, and has good prospects for application.

The SSTPA will be conferred on persons or organisations who work in the fields of science and technology and have completed and applied innovative scientific and technological outcomes, and have made outstanding contributions to promoting science and technology advancement as well as economic and social development.

Innovative scientific and technological outcomes should meet the following criteria:

1. It is outstanding in technological innovation and advanced in terms of technological and economic indicators;
2. Through application promotion, it produces significant economic, social, ecological and environmental benefits or makes significant contributions to maintaining national security;
3. It has made major contributions to promoting scientific and technological advancement in the industry.

To prepare for the selection of nominations to STIA and SSTPA from Hong Kong, persons in Hong Kong with significant achievements in science and technology are invited to submit entries by the deadline of 26 May 2025 (Monday).

The eligibility criteria, regulations, assessment criteria and awards are subject to the requirements as prescribed by NOSTA and the final announcement of NOSTA.

A candidate must be either a resident of the HKSAR or a person who has engaged in scientific research and technology development in the HKSAR. The candidate’s major research and development work should be conducted and completed in the HKSAR. A candidate should be scientist and frontline scientific and technical personnel who makes genuine creative contribution. A person who is merely engaged in organisational leadership, administrative management or facilitative services is not eligible for nomination.

Persons interested in participating in the HKSAR selection exercise of STIA and SSTPA may download the relevant information, application forms and guidance notes below:

• Detailed information of STIA and SSTPA
• STIA Application Form and Guidance Notes
• SSTPA Application Form and Guidance Notes

Each university/institution can submit a maximum of two entries in total for the aforementioned two awards. Please send the softcopy (in word format) and two hardcopies (in loose binding) of the completed application form and appendices in person or by courier on or before 26 May 2025 (Monday) to:

Innovation and Technology Commission
(Policy and Development Division)
Units 809-818, Shui On Centre
6-8 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

After NOSTA has issued notification of nomination, the HKSAR Government will assess the entries received according to the requirements issued by NOSTA, and consult experts from the relevant technological fields before making nominations to NOSTA.

There is no public notice on STIA and SSTPA at the moment.

Enquiries can be addressed to:

Innovation and Technology Commission

Address:	Units 809-818, 8/F, Shui On Centre, 6-8 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Telephone:	(852) 3855 7641
Fax:	(852) 2375 0715
Website:	https://www.itc.gov.hk/en/collaboration/ssta.html
E-mail:	ssta@itc.gov.hk