Research Grants Council Collaborative Research Fund 2026/27 Call Circular

Applications for Allocations from
Collaborative Research Fund (CRF) 2026/27 Exercise

The Research Grants Council (the RGC) is inviting submission of preliminary proposals of multi-investigator, multi-disciplinary projects under the CRF 2026/27 exercise with a view to encouraging more research groups to engage in creative and high-quality cross-disciplinary / cross-institutional projects.  

There are three types of grants under the CRF, i.e. Collaborative Research Project Grant (CRPG), Collaborative Research Equipment Grant (CREG) and Young Collaborative Research Grant (YCRG).  In making their proposals, applicants may wish to note the objectives and related arrangements of the grants as set out in the following.

Collaborative Research Project Grant (CRPG)

The main objective of CRPG is to encourage research groups in UGC‑funded universities to engage in collaborative research across disciplines and across universities with a view to enhancing the research output of universities in terms of the level of attainment, quantity, dimensions and/or impact.  CRPG provides funding for staff, equipment and general expenses related to the supported projects.  The net amount of funding requested from the RGC (excluding matching funding from university and funds obtained from other sources) should range from $2 million to $10 million per project under CRPG.

Collaborative Research Equipment Grant (CREG)

The main objectives of CREG are to -

  1. enable the acquisition of major research facilities or equipment, including major library acquisitions for research, which cannot otherwise be afforded by one university and which can be used for collaborative research;
  2. assist universities in “leveraging” support from equipment suppliers 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
  3. provide funding for group user fee (for users from the RGC funded collaborative research projects) to access major user facilities (e.g. to pay for the access / use of some existing core facilities / equipment instead of procuring new ones)1.

The net amount of funding requested from the RGC under CREG should range from $2 million to $10 million per project.  Equipment funded under CREG are expected to be opened up for share‑usage by other UGC‑funded universities, and the RGC encourages universities’ facilitation.

1The requirement of 50% matching funding from participating universities still applies.

Young Collaborative Research Grant (YCRG)

The YCRG was first established on pilot basis in 2022/23 as a debut effort to support young researchers in undertaking collaborative research projects and gainning first-hand experience in leading and managing collaborative research, so that they can be better prepared in competing for larger collaborative research funding in their next stage of career.  The Grant provides funding for staff, equipment and general expenses related to the supported projects.  The net amount of funding requested from the RGC under YCRG should range from $2 million to $5 million per project.

The YCRG has been regularised since the 2025/26 exercise, after its three-year pilot run. As further enhancement to promote research enterprise amongst young academics, all research applications eligible for YCRG2 funding will first be accorded an opportunity of assessment under the normal-track CRF, and then an additional opportunity for selection under the Y‑track.  In practice, young researchers will be accorded with two funding opportunities. 

2Universities and applicants are reminded to note the eligibility criteria for YCRG as detailed in the “Overview and Guidance Notes (CRF) - Preliminary Proposals (http://www.ugc.edu.hk/doc/eng/rgc/form/CRF_2P.pdf).

“Renewal” / “Continuation” Application under CRPG and YCRG

Project Coordinator (PC) of a group research project may apply for “renewal” / “continuation” funding for a current project.  In the CRF 2026/27 exercise, applications for “renewal” / “continuation” funding are invited from projects that were funded in 2022/23 and 2023/243.  To qualify for “renewal” funding (application under CRPG) or “continuation” funding (application under YCRG), a “renewal” / “continuation” proposal should be an extension of the current project led by the same PC and should not constitute any major overlap with research work supported by other UGC / RGC or government grants.  The research teams are required to demonstrate that remarkable results have been achieved in their current research and there is a good argument and prospect for further research work to continue in the relevant area.  The proposal should also have its own goal(s) and new or extended research objective(s). 

All funded “renewal” / “continuation” proposals are subject to the same monitoring and accounting requirements as applicable to other newly funded projects under the scheme.  A PC should only submit one single proposal in the 2026/27 exercise, irrespective if it is a new or “renewal” / “continuation” application.

3For any “renewal” / “continuation” proposal to be funded in the 2026/27 exercise, the “renewal” / “continuation” project must start upon the completion of the current one before the end of the academic year 2026/27 (i.e. 30 June 2027).  Prior approval of the RGC for variation to the stipulated schedule must be sought in case a research team has difficulty in adhering to the schedule, though approval may only be given in very exceptional circumstances.  PCs are reminded to note and take into account the above-mentioned timing requirement when considering submitting “renewal” / “continuation” application.

Selection Criteria

The selection criteria to be adopted by the RGC for evaluation of CRPG and YCRG proposals are at Annex A and that for CREG are at Annex B.  Project teams are encouraged to enhance collaboration with local partners to bring benefits to the local community.   

Matters Requiring Attention

Team size and project budget

Having regard to the objectives of CRF, universities and applicants may wish to note that in assessing proposals, the RGC puts emphasis on genuine collaboration and capacity building as well as the potential of a proposal to develop into an area of research strength.  Moreover, it is expected that a CRF project should normally last for no more than three years (except for applications of which the research objective(s) can only be achieved in a time span of four to five years).  Applicants / project teams are therefore advised to assess the optimal team size bearing in mind the three-year project period and the medium funding level, and to avoid excessively large team size.  They are also advised to set realistic objectives and workplan when preparing their proposals, so as to avoid excessive budgeting in the applications.

Disbursement arrangements

For shortlisted CREG proposals, universities are required to confirm that satisfactory arrangements will be worked out among the universities concerned for the ownership and management of the equipment / facilities, if funded, and for meeting the recurrent costs.  The CRF will not cover any recurrent expenditure (including maintenance) that may have to be borne by the university in consequence.

The funding approved under the CRF will be released to the coordinating universities in accordance with the RGC’s guidelines, and subject to satisfactory progress of previous work reported in the mid-term progress report or the related annual progress report depending on project duration.   

Submission of information on re-submission in the preliminary proposal stage

To facilitate the assessment of re-submitted applications during the preliminary proposal stage, applicants are required to include information of all their previous submissions and the revisions / improvement made to each of the previous submissions, which were required in the full proposal stage previously. Applicants should make sure that sufficient revisions and improvement based on the comments provided by the assessment panels have been made in the re-submitted applications.

Submission format

In order to ensure consistency and fairness, applicants are reminded to complete the applications and all pdf documents in the following standard RGC format:

  1. Font: Times New Roman
    Font Size: 12 point
    Margin: 2.5 cm all round
    Spacing: Single-line spacing
    PDF version: compatible with Adobe Acrobat Reader 5

Applicants are also reminded not to include links to external websites in their applications which may contain extra information about their proposals. Failure to comply with the format requirements may result in the removal of the application from processing.

Submission of Preliminary Proposal

Applications for CRPG, CREG and YCRG will be undergoing a two‑stage assessment process.  Preliminary proposals for CRPG, CREG and YCRG should be submitted through the RGC Electronic System to the UGC Secretariat by 23 February 2026.  The application forms in pdf format are also available on the RGC website (https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/crf/how_to_apply.html)

for downloading.  In addition to electronic submission, universities are required to provide one hard copy and one soft copy4 (allowing search function) of the proposals.  The hard copy and soft copy of the proposal must be submitted to the UGC Secretariat through the Research Offices of respective universities by 5:00 pm (HKT) on 27 February 2026.

 For “renewal” / “continuation” applications, an up-to-date progress report on the relevant current research project should be submitted together with the application form.

4For the soft copy, please save all files in one CD or USB flash drive, with the file names follow that of the project reference number.

General information and guidelines for preparing and submitting preliminary proposals are set out in the “Overview and Guidance Notes (CRF) - Preliminary Proposals” which is downloadable from the RGC website.  Applicants are reminded to adhere to the submission requirements set out in the guidance notes.  Failure to comply with the requirements may result in the removal of applications from processing. 

Preliminary proposals that have been shortlisted for submission of full proposals will be notified in June / July 2026. 

Code of Conduct

The RGC is fully committed to the principle of honesty, integrity and fair play in the conduct of its business.  All applicants should comply with RGC Code of Conduct, which is available on the RGC website (https://www.ugc.edu.hk/doc/eng/rgc/guidelines/code/code_of_conduct.pdf). 

Annex A

Selection Criteria for Collaborative Research Project Grant Proposals and Young Collaborative Research Grant Proposals

The RGC takes into account the following factors in assessing the fundability of a proposal:

  1. the academic merits;
  2. the long-term goal of the proposal and its potential to develop into an area of research strength;
  3. the opportunities for effective synergism among the participating researchers, research groups and universities/institutions; and
  4. the viability of the proposal, particularly in terms of its project management. The project team’s ability to put in place an effective governance structure to monitor collaborating work and to ensure prudent deployment of resources would be important considerations.

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Annex B

Selection Criteria for Collaborative Research Equipment Grant Proposals

The RGC takes into account the following factors in assessing the fundability of a proposal:

  1. the merit of the proposal, its contribution to academic/professional development and potential for application, and benefit to tertiary institutions in particular and Hong Kong in general;
  2. the scope for collaborative research/joint use, and the degree of such usage;
  3. feasibility in implementation;
  4. any university’s support, including that of the sponsoring/collaborating universities/institutions;
  5. the prospect of external funding;
  6. maximum value for money; and
  7. the availability of similar facilities/library acquisitions elsewhere in Hong Kong.

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