Strategic Topics Grant

Strategic Topics Grant 2026/27

Call for Preliminary Proposals

This is to invite submission of preliminary proposals for the Strategic Topics Grant (STG) 2026/27 and to provide details of the procedures to be followed.

Background

STG is set up to support collaborative research in specific areas which can help address important issues for Hong Kong, by making reference to policy priorities of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.  Applicants are invited to submit research proposals relevant to the strategic topics / research domain announced by the Research Grants Council (RGC) for each exercise.

Research Domain for STG 2026/27

Population ageing is becoming an increasingly serious issue around the world, and the situation in Hong Kong is of particular concern.  In light of the demographic shift, it is important that the various challenges brought about by an ageing population be addressed without losing sight of new opportunities, so as to enhance the well-being of the elderly and break new grounds for Hong Kong.

Drawing reference from Government’s policy vision and the 2024 Policy Address, the research domain of “Demographic Change – Ageing Society” is identified for STG 2026/27, which will cover a wide range of research issues from diverse disciplines, including for example elderly mobility, revitalisation of elderly labour, and the silver economy.  Research could be informed by fields such as humanities, healthcare, Chinese medicine, technological adaptation, advanced material development, as well as supporting initiatives linked to Greater Bay Area (GBA) development, etc.  Useful and impactful research under both STEM and non-STEM disciplines may be carried out to contribute in technological, economic and social aspects.  While not all the research outcomes could be readily commercialised or would have high social impact, the project teams should be encouraged to explore how their work could facilitate downstream research with wider positive societal impact and high relevance to the community in the short to medium future.

The research domain is underpinned by three key subject areas – (i) “Health and Longevity in a Caring Community”, (ii) “Smart Technology and an Ageing Population” and (iii) “Silver Society, Economy and Finance”[1].  Project teams are encouraged to pursue interdisciplinary and collaborative goals.  The details of the research domain and three key subject areas are available in the Annex. 

Budget and Duration of Project

The ceiling of the project cost per STG project to be awarded by the RGC is $40 million.  Mandatory matching funds are required from University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities for approved projects on a 90% (RGC) / 10% (university(s)) basis.  The net amount of funding requested from RGC (excluding on-costs, matching funding from university and funds obtained from other sources) should range from $10 million to $40 million per project.  The duration of each STG project could be up to five years.

Assessment Criteria

The STG proposals will be assessed by the STG Assessment Committee.  Factors for consideration include, but not limited to –

  1. the long-term goal of the proposal and its potential to help Hong Kong overcome imminent challenges and capture emerging opportunities under the strategic topics / research domain;
  2. a clear pathway to impact – proposal should state clearly how and by what means the project, if funded, will bring impact to Hong Kong, including the timing as to when benefits for community may be realised;
  3. the academic merit of the project;
  4. credentials of the project team;
  5. existence of a clear strategy;
  6. sound structure for an excellent research project;
  7. building on previous domain-related studies / research – to achieve multiplying effect of work already carried out;
  8. potential for application / further follow-up; and
  9. greater collaborations with external stakeholders, especially those in the GBA.

Declaration of Time Commitment

Applicant will need to provide the numbers of both on-going individual research projects and on-going collaborative research projects being held by him / her in any capacity.  If the Project Coordinator (PC) holds more than three on-going individual research projects or more than two on-going collaborative research projects, he / she will need to provide the overall amount of time spent on research in percentage terms and justifications on how he / she would be able to take up this additional research project if funded while maintaining the research quality.

Application Procedures

Application should be made in the prescribed form for the STG and must be submitted through the applicant’s affiliated university.  Relevant application form and guidelines are set out in the Guidance Documents which can be downloaded from RGC website (https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/stg/).  The number of applications to be submitted by each university would be capped at 5.  All applications must be submitted to the UGC Secretariat by 5:00 pm on 9 September 2025.  Late application will not be entertained.  Universities are required to provide two hard copies and one soft copy of each proposal to the Secretariat.  For the soft copy, please save all files in one CD / USB drive with file names and project reference number clearly marked on it.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit full proposals for further consideration in December 2025 / January 2026 and funding decision will be announced in around July 2026. 

Matters Requiring Attention

Applicants’ attention is drawn to the following matters –

  1. applicant is not allowed to submit the same proposal under STG and Areas of Excellence Scheme / Theme-based Research Scheme in the same exercise;
  2. applicant is only allowed to submit one application in the capacity of PC under the STG;
  3. the arrangement of “right of reply” will be adopted in the full proposal stage in this exercise; and
  4. as part of the RGC’s initiative in enhancing collaboration with the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), applicant who contemplate applying for funding support from the Innovation and Technology Fund at a later stage may provide a technology transfer plan in the full proposal. The technology transfer plan will be passed to the ITC for reference and will not be assessed.

Code of Conduct and Handling of Information and Personal Data

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 the 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). 

The guidelines for the handling of information and personal data contained in the applications are available on the RGC website (https://www.ugc.edu.hk/doc/eng/rgc/form/GRF2.pdf).

[1] Exceptionally meritorious project proposals outside the three key subject areas mentioned above but within the general domain may still be considered.