The European Union (EU) – Hong Kong Research Cooperation Co-funding Mechanism by the RGC aims to strengthen the collaboration between European and Hong Kong research communities in areas of mutual interest in order to achieve world-class scientific results. Research teams from the University Grants Committee-funded universities in Hong Kong will be supported to participate in joint research projects conducted under the framework of Horizon Europe.

This scheme accepts research project proposals in the areas of food, agriculture, biotechnologies (linked to the agri-food sector), climate change, and biodiversity, as well as exchange (mobility) proposals. The project duration should normally not exceed five years and should not be longer than that of the concerned Horizon Europe project. The per-project ceilings of RGC's research project grant and exchange (mobility) grant are HK$3 million and HK$0.5 million (both excluding on-costs) respectively.

HK applicants applying for RGC funding under this scheme must be partners in a successful proposal submitted in response to the 2023-2024 Work Programme under the Horizon Europe. In addition, applicants should meet fully the requirements for applying for the RGC General Research Fund (GRF).

The assessment criteria are as follows:

1. the extent to which the strengths of each side may complement each other in the proposal;
2. opportunities for training young researchers;
3. credentials of project teams; and
4. impact to HK.

The Hong Kong Principal Investigator should complete the Application Form in accordance with the Guidance Notes for Completing the Application Form (for Hong Kong Applicants). The application should also include a Summary of the Proposal Approved by the EU and research work undertaken by the Hong Kong team with signature of the European Coordinator of the Horizon Europe project, and the EU’s official notification of the proposal being funded. The application should be submitted through the Research Offices (ROs) of the respective universities to the RGC for evaluation. The RGC will not accept proposals without the summary signed by the European Coordinator of the Horizon Europe project and EU’s official notification.

Applications should be submitted to the RGC through the research offices of their respective universities by 8 January 2025 at 1700 hours (HK time). HK applicants are reminded to consult their respective universities for internal closing dates, if any.

To view the call circular, please click here.

To download the application form, please click here.