(A) The Exercise

1.	Number of applications received	66
2.	Number of full proposals received	29
3.	Number of proposals recommended for funding:	9 (including three exploratory proposals)
4.	Success rate (over the number of applications):	13.6%
5.	Regular budget - Total approved budget of the funded projects - Total funding amount from RGC	$306.398 million1 $315 million1
6.	Exploratory option2 - Total funding amount from RGC	$20 million1

 ¹ Inclusive of indirect costs /on-costs
² The university matching for the exploratory projects is subject to a revised one-year budget by the project team upon approval from the relevant Committee.
 
(B) Selection Panel's Comments for Applicants' Reference

1. Quality of applications (i.e. strengths, weaknesses and gaps of proposals):

• The proposals covered a wide range of topics and were of international standards. The research teams were strong and their performance at the interviews were impressive, in particular for those junior members.
• The project team, awarded with exploratory funding, submitted a stronger proposal with significant research achievements. This showed that the exploratory option had served its purpose.
• Comments on specific technical shortcomings of certain proposals were provided to the project teams by the Selection Panel.
• Some proposals were too ambitious and it would be unrealistic to achieve the proposed objectives within the timeframe and resources. Instead, proposals should focus on intellectual merits that could lead to broader impacts. More emphasis should be placed on quality over quantity.

2. Other comments:

• It would be desirable to include both gender in the project team to bring about different perspectives and enhance diversity
• The Selection Panel appreciated the interviews being conducted in fully physical mode. Both Panel Members and project teams were very engaged in the interview process and critical yet constructive questions were asked with penetrating insights. These scientific exchanges were intellectually stimulating.