Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme (FTRSS)

Launched in September 2025, the Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme (FTRSS) provides funding support, on a matching basis, to eight universities funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC) in attracting international top-notch researchers to Hong Kong and procuring facilities to conduct research projects in frontier technology fields, with a view to expanding Hong Kong’s research capacities, promoting the integrated development of education, technology and talent, as well as dovetailing with the country’s strategic planning of frontier technologies.

• Application Institutions
  • The Applicant Institution must be a local university funded by the UGC.
  • To facilitate inter-institutional and cross-sectoral co-operation, UGC-funded universities together with other parties that provide technological or financial support to the project may submit joint applications. In such case, the Lead Applicant Institution must be a UGC-funded university.
• Leading talents
  • Research personnel who have worked at a university, public/private research institute or the research arm of a private enterprise overseas for not less than three years in the past 10 years, and the immediate previous appointment of the leading talent shall generally not be any full-time engagement at such institutions in Hong Kong or the Mainland.

• The research projects under application should be led by international top-notch talents and about basic research in frontier technology fields in Hong Kong.
• Funding will be provided on a matching basis
  • Matching Ratios:
    • Remuneration expenses: 1 (Government): 1 (Applicant Institution and other funding sources)
    • Non-remuneration expenses: 4 (Government): 1 (Applicant Institution and other funding sources)
• Maximum funding support: in an amount between HK$100 million and HK$300 million per project
• The research facility under application should commence operation within 18 months and continuously operate for no less than five years.
• Intellectual Property (IP) : research teams/inventors should be entitled to no less than 70% of the IP benefits (for IPs generated by the research teams/ inventors during the project period).

Applications will be accepted from 26 September 2025 to 25 November 2025. Subject to responses and funding situation, the Innovation and Technology Commission may invite more than one round of applications if needed. Eligible universities are advised to read the following documents before submitting applications:

Applications submitted by universities will be subject to vetting by an Assessment Panel comprising experts in the relevant technology fields as well as representatives from the Government and/or the community at large. Assessment criteria include the talent component, I&T elements and research themes of the project, technical levels and management capabilities of the teams, reasonableness of the budget, as well as its overall benefits to the I&T sector and society as a whole.

1. Can the research scope of an application focus on a single technology field?
   The FTRSS aims to support collaborative basic research in frontier technologies to break new ground in scientific fields and promote original research. Therefore, we encourage institutions to apply for projects covering more than one frontier technology field. Notwithstanding this, to provide institutions with greater flexibility in project preparation, the FTRSS does not mandate that applications must be interdisciplinary.
2. What is a joint application?
   We encourage research collaboration across institutions and sectors. Institutions may invite Mainland and overseas institutions to submit joint applications, provided that a UGC-funded university must be designated as the Lead Applicant Institution.
3. Will the Government provide land/premises for universities/research facilities? Will any rental or construction cost subsidies be offered?
   Applicant Institutions should arrange or identify suitable premises for establishing research facilities and must provide specific details at the time of application demonstrating that space or premises for the proposed research facilities have been secured. Given that one-off nature of the Scheme and the non-recurring nature of Government funding, and to ensure the sustainability of research facilities, the FTRSS will not provide any funding for capital/construction costs or rent.
4. How are the qualifications of international talents defined? Given the intense competition for international talents, can institutions hire candidates before submitting applications or upon approval?
   Research personnel who have worked at a university, public/private research institute or the research arm of a private enterprise overseas for not less than three years in the past 10 years immediately preceding the FTRSS application deadline. Considering the keen competition for international talents, eligible staff appointed within six months prior to the deadline for application under the Scheme are permitted. FTRSS Funding, however, shall only be used to cover expenses incurred during the Project Period.