The Agency for Science, Technology and Research /
Research Grants Council Joint Research Scheme
2026/27
Call for Applications
We are delighted to announce the launch of the pilot Joint Research Scheme (JRS) between the Research Grants Council (RGC) and Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), and would like to invite research proposals for the forthcoming 2026/27 debut round. The details and application procedures of the new JRS are as follows.
A*STAR / RGC JRS
The pilot A*STAR / RGC JRS is a new initiative introduced by the RGC to foster Singapore-Hong Kong research collaboration by funding joint integrated research projects collaboratively conducted by scholars and researchers at research institutes and universities at the two places. The pilot scheme supports innovative, bold thinking and pioneering work with potential high-payoff or impact under the following three research areas, namely,
- AI for Smart Cities of Tomorrow;
- Science for Energy & Environmental Sustainability, and
- Translational Immunology & Emerging Diseases.
Eligibility
The pilot A*STAR/RGC JRS welcomes research proposals jointly submitted by Hong Kong and Singapore researchers. For Hong Kong applicants, they should meet fully the requirements for applying for the RGC General Research Fund (GRF).[1] Singapore applicants should check with the A*STAR for their eligibility requirements. Applications should fully meet the requirements of both the RGC and the A*STAR in order to be considered under the Scheme.
Key Features
The pilot JRS is designed to support and encourage bold thinking and pioneering research by providing funding support for breakthrough. The scheme enables researchers of the two places to explore bold concepts that can drive scientific and academic progress to help address challenges being faced by the two places.
To achieve these objectives, the pilot JRS will be implemented in two distinct stages. The RGC and A*STAR will jointly fund a total of 10 proposals for a 24-month term in Phase 1. The Hong Kong applicants of each selected proposal will receive RGC funding support of HK$1 million[2] and Singapore applicants will receive comparable amount from A*STAR. A joint review by RGC and A*STAR will be conducted by around the 21st month to select at most three most promising projects for continuation for the further 36-months under Phase 2[3]. Hong Kong applicant of each of the three selected proposals in Phase 2 will receive HK$1.8million from the RGC[2].
Assessment Criteria
The RGC and the A*STAR will arrange to assess the research proposals received in accordance with their respective evaluation mechanisms and will jointly select applications to be supported under the two stages. Only proposals which have been jointly supported by both sides will be considered for funding.
The criteria to be adopted by the RGC for assessment include the following –
- innovativeness;
- potential for application / further follow-up, and impact of research outcomes of the project;
- relevance of the proposal to the specified research area;
- academic merit and scientific / technical quality of the proposed research; and
- the extent of strategic and operational synergies to be realised through collaboration.
Application Submission
Parallel submissions of the same proposal[4] by the Singapore applicants (to A*STAR) and the Hong Kong applicants of the project team are required. Hong Kong applications should be submitted to the RGC through respective universities. Each UGC-funded university may support up to five applications under the pilot scheme.
The Hong Kong applicants should submit one hard copy and a soft copy[5] of the Application Form (A*STAR/RGC 1), through the Research Offices of their universities, to the RGC by 5:00 pm (Hong Kong Time) of 20 October 2026 (Tuesday). Failure to comply with the application format and / or the allowable number of pages will lead to disqualification of the proposal. Late submission will not be processed.
Announcement of Funding Results
The results of the final selection of Phase 1 will be announced in around April / May 2027. The results will also be published on the RGC homepage.
Enquiries
Enquiries about this call and other related matters about A*STAR/RGC JRS should be directed to the Research Offices of the applicants’ universities. Applicants requiring additional information about internal deadlines, application procedures or assistance in completing the application form may contact the Research Offices of their own universities.
[1] Please refer to the “GRF 2026/27 - Scheme Overview and Guidance Notes (GRF2)” which is available on the RGC website.
[2] The Hong Kong and the Singapore partners of the supported projects will receive funding from the RGC and the A*STAR separately. For Hong Kong applicants, the funding amount is exclusive of on-costs, and is to cover the salary of research support staff hired by the Hong Kong researchers, outsourcing expenses of research work outside Hong Kong, equipment and high-performance computing services in Hong Kong, research-related software licence / dataset and general expenses, including consumables that are directly related to the research work, etc.
[3] Projects not selected for Phase 2 will conclude at the 24th month.
[4] It is the obligation of both the Singapore and the Hong Kong applicants to ensure that their respective applications contain consistent information for evaluation. Incomplete submission (such as those lacking substantial data / information for evaluation) or inconsistent / inaccurate information would lead to disqualification of applications.
[5] For the soft copy, please save all files in one CD / USB drive with file names and project reference number clearly marked on it.