Another milestone marks the Government's efforts in fostering collaboration between Hong Kong and top-notch overseas research institutes. The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) launched the Midstream Research Programme for Universities (MRP) on 23 December 2016, an initiative to encourage academic institutions funded by the University Grants Committee to conduct more theme-based midstream research in focused technology areas. Open for application until the end of March 2017, the first round of the MRP is calling for project proposals under the theme "Elderly Health and Care".

The focal point of the MRP will be on research and development projects which endeavour to improve the well-being of elderly, in particular ventures related to preventing, diagnosing or treating dementia or those that facilitate quality care for dementia patients. All applications will be assessed by expert panels coming from the academia and industry.

The funding ceiling for each project is HK$5 million. Priority will be given to projects involving collaboration across multiple disciplines, universities or research institutions, where a higher funding ceiling of HK$10 million per project will be given.

Proud to be home to world-class research academics, the MRP would prove Hong Kong's competitive edge to have our universities connect and collaborate locally, regionally and globally with leading research institutions to conduct more inter-disciplinary and multi-institutional translational research and development work. It will also result in more research outcomes opening up exciting opportunities for further research or product development downstream.

More information on the MRP is available on the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) website (www.itf.gov.hk). For enquiries, please contact the ITF Secretariat (MRP section) by telephone on 3655 5958 or by email at enquiry@itf.gov.hk.