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RGC Research Fellow Scheme (RFS) and RGC Senior Research Fellow Scheme (SRFS) Open for Nominations (2020/21 Exercise)

Government funding has been reserved for the RGC's RFS and SRFS on a regular yearly basis to provide sustained support to exceptionally outstanding academics in UGC-funded universities to facilitate their research efforts and promote research excellence.

The target group of RFS and SRFS are stellar researchers at Associate Professor rank and Professor rank respectively. For eligibility of RFS / SRFS candidates, please refer to the details as set out in the Operation Guide for the RGC Research Fellow Scheme and RGC Senior Research Fellow Scheme pdf file.

Quota and Fellowship

RFS and SRFS will each provide research funding support to 10 awardees for a period of 60 months for teaching and administrative duty relief. The funding covers salary costs for relief teachers and related research expenses including staff, equipment, travel, subsistence and dissemination costs.

Each RFS awardee will be conferred the title "RGC Research Fellow (研資局研究學者)", and the supporting university will receive a fellowship grant at around $5.2 million per award (a uniform rate is applied for both non-clinical and clinical academics) over a period of 60 months.

Each SRFS awardee will be conferred the title "RGC Senior Research Fellow (研資局高級研究學者)", and the supporting university will receive a fellowship grant at around $7.8 million per award (a uniform rate is applied for both non-clinical and clinical academics) over a period of 60 months.

Nomination and Explanatory Notes

All eight UGC-funded universities are eligible to nominate up to six candidates (at Associate Professor rank) for RFS and six candidates (at Professor rank) for SRFS. Each nomination should include the research proposal of the project to be undertaken by the nominated candidate during the fellowship period.

Nominations should be submitted with one soft copy in text-searchable PDF (saved in CD / DVD / USB memory stick) and four sets of hard copies (including the original version) delivered to:

Assistant Secretary-General (Research) Special Duties 1
University Grants Committee Secretariat
7/F Shui On Centre
6 - 8 Harbour Road
Wanchai
Hong Kong

Nominations should reach the UGC Secretariat by 5:00 p.m. on 29 November 2019 (Friday). Late nomination will not be processed.

Nominees of RFS and SRFS of all academic disciplines are subject to assessment by either one of the two selection panels: (i) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM); and (ii) Humanities, Social Sciences and Business Studies (HSSB). Shortlisted candidates for RFS / SRFS will be invited for interview by the selection panel concerned during the first half of June 2020.

The operation guide endorsed by the UGC and RGC, together with a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and explanatory notes for completing the nomination form, have been uploaded onto the UGC website (https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/rfs.html) for your reference. You may wish to note that the operation guide has incorporated as appropriate feedback from the universities based on the consultation conducted earlier. Nominees and supporting universities are advised to read the nomination details as set out in the operation guide and the explanatory notes carefully before completing and signing the nomination forms.

Enquiries

For enquiries about the nomination procedures or other aspects of the RFS / SRFS, please feel free to contact the UGC Secretariat via email: RFS@ugc.edu.hk.