Collaborative Research Fund

(A) The CRF 2020/21 Exercise

1.

Number of applications received:

175

2.

Number of full proposals received:

69

3.

Number of full proposals selected for interview:

39

4.

Number of proposals recommended for funding:

29

5.

Success rate (over the number of applications):

16.6%

6.

Total approved amount of the funded projects:
(excluding on-costs)

$146 million

 

(B) The CRF Covid-19 and NID Exercise

1.

Number of submission intentions received:

183

2.

Number of full proposals received:

174

3.

Number of full proposals selected for interview:
(Note: excluding one withdrawal proposal after being invited to the interview.)

36

4.

Number of proposals recommended for funding:

27

5.

Success rate (over the number of applications):

15.5%

6.

Total approved amount of the funded projects:
(excluding on-cost)

$150 million

 

(C) Collaborative Research Fund Committee’s Comments for Applicants’ Reference

  • The overall quality of proposals was high and with wide range of research topics. With the large number of applications to the Collaborative Research Fund, the competition continued to be vigorous.  The Committee selected the strongest proposals for funding. 
  • The Committee was impressed by the quality of presentation videos received. The videos helped clarify the gap of the proposals and were in good format. The project teams could consider involving their team members in the video in order to demonstrate collaboration within the team.
  • The Committee praised the flexibility and responsiveness of the local research community in forming collaboration to submit applications under the one-off CRF Covid-19 and Novel Infectious Disease Research Exercise within a short period of time.
  • Project teams are expected to consider a wider spectrum of impact that research could bring about when it comes to research impact. Impact does not only confine to change of government policies.