The Earmarked Research Grant (ERG) administered by the Research Grants Council (RGC) currently comprises the following components:

• Direct Allocation;
• General Research Fund;
• Collaborative Research Fund;
• Joint Research Schemes;
• Postgraduate Students Conference / Seminar Grants

• Direct Allocation

  Direct Allocation is directly allocated to UGC funded institutions to support small scale research projects, for field trips and other travel requirements and to provide initial funding support for junior faculty and newly recruited staff in research.

• General Research Fund

  The majority of the ERG is allocated to General Research Fund for academic research projects. All proposals are subject to a rigorous peer review process via the RGC's four subject panels supported by an international network of expert reviewers. The closing date for applications is usually end October / early November. Funding allocations are usually decided in June of the following year. For more information about how to apply, please proceed to the GRF section.

• Collaborative Research Fund

  The Council also sets aside a portion of ERG as Collaborative Research Fund to serve the following purposes:

  For Equipment Proposals

  (i) to enable the acquisition of major research facilities or equipment, and major library materials which could not otherwise be afforded by one institution and which can be used for collaborative research;

  (ii) to assist institutions in "leveraging" support from equipment suppliers on a matching fund basis with a view to stretching the value of the RGC's funds further than could normally be possible by making small allocations in connection with individual projects; and
  

• For Group Research

  (iii) to encourage research groups to engage in collaborative research across disciplines and/or across institutions with a view to enhancing the research output of institutions in terms of its level of attainment, quantity, dimensions, and/or speed.

• Joint Research Schemes

  Joint research schemes are established in collaboration with research bodies in the Mainland and overseas and are meant to promote and further encourage research co-operation and exchanges. The following joint research schemes have been established under the RGC:

  1. NSFC / RGC Joint Research Scheme
     Jointly established with the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the scheme aims to promote collaboration in research between researchers in Hong Kong and their counterparts in the Mainland. It provides funding to support actual research expenses in addition to travel and subsistence. Bids are invited from UGC-funded institutions in November each year.
     

  2. Germany / Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme
     The scheme, established in collaboration with the Germany Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), provides travel grants to support and facilitate collaborative research between scholars in Germany and Hong Kong. The grants are to meet travel, accommodation and subsistence costs. Bids are invited from UGC-funded institutions in the first quarter of each year.

  3. PROCORE - France / Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme
     The scheme is established jointly with the French Consulate in Hong Kong to support collaborative research between the two places. In addition to the provision of travel grants, the scheme also sponsors travel, accommodation and subsistence costs of guest speakers and direct organizing costs of conferences/workshops held in Hong Kong. Bids are invited from UGC-funded institutions in the first quarter of each year.
     

  4. ESRC / RGC Joint Research Scheme
     This is a two-year pilot scheme established jointly with the UK Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) to foster collaboration between social scientists in Hong Kong and the UK. It provides funding to support actual research expenses in addition to travel and subsistence. A review on the scheme would be conducted by end 2009.
     

  5. Fulbright Hong Kong Scholar Programme
     Starting from the 2002/03 academic year, the RGC has, in collaboration with the US Consulate-General in Hong Kong, Launched this programme to support Hong Kong scholars to undertake research work in the US. It provides funding to support actual research expenses including accommodation and subsistence costs. In 2006/07, a Junior Fulbright Hong Kong Scholar Programme to support PhD students was launched. Bids are invited from UGC-funded institutions in July each year.
     

• Postgraduate Students Conference/Seminar Grants

  The Council has set aside a small sum from the ERG each year to support conferences/seminars organised by or for research students in order to encourage research students of the same discipline from the various UGC-funded institutions to come together and share their experiences and research results. Subject to funds being available, applications will be considered throughout the year. Further information and the requisite application form are available from the RGC Forms page.