The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) expanded the funding scope of the Public Sector Trial Scheme (PSTS) and the Internship Programme under the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) on 19 December 2016.

To support local start-ups, the PSTS has been extended to include incubatees of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) and Cyberport for trials of their products or services in the public sector. The funding ceiling for each project is HK$1 million.

To encourage university graduates to pursue a career in innovation and technology and nurture more technology talent, the Internship Programme has also been extended to cover incubatees and SME tenants of the HKSTPC and Cyberport, subsidising them to recruit up to two local university graduates as interns. The maximum monthly internship allowance is HK$14,000 for graduates with a Bachelor's degree and HK$16,500 for graduates with a Master's degree or higher.

The story of Hong Kong Polytechnic University graduate Arthur Kwong tells us how the critical experience gained through his internship has fuelled his dream for innovation.

Graduating last year with a Master's degree in biomedical engineering, Arthur joined the Nano & Advanced Materials Institute as an intern. His projects included the development of nanofiber facemasks. "I have learned many ways to do experiments and research. I am able to develop my own logical and critical thinking which is definitely very important as a researcher." The internship has boosted Arthur's knowledge in the field, and he hopes to continue his scientific research.

Further information and application details on the PSTS and the Internship Programme are available on the ITF website (www.itf.gov.hk) and can be obtained from the ITF Secretariat (Tel: 3655 5725; fax: 2957 8726; email: enquiry@itf.gov.hk).