Funding results of Theme-based Research Scheme 2022/23 announced
The Research Grants Council (RGC) announced today (July 12) the funding results of the Theme-based Research Scheme (TRS) 2022/23 (Twelfth Round). Eight outstanding research proposals were awarded a total funding of over $306 million, of which $270 million will be provided by the RGC and around $36 million matched by the universities concerned. The list of the awarded projects is set out in the Annex.
The Chairman of the RGC, Professor Wong Yuk-shan, said, "I am delighted to announce that after a series of rigorous peer reviews, eight projects of strategic importance to the long-term development of Hong Kong have been selected for funding. These projects cover a wide range of research areas including multidrug-resistant bacteria, liver cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, carbon neutrality, air quality management, logistics in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, medical intelligence and artificial intelligence chips. We look forward to the completion of these projects, which I am sure will bring forth positive societal and economic impacts to Hong Kong.
"With the increased support from the RGC, the budget of this TRS exercise has reached $270 million. Around $9 million has been granted for an exploratory project on nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which is potentially groundbreaking and highly original. The one-year budget will enable researchers to yield preliminary results," Professor Wong added.
Professor Wong expressed his gratitude to the panel members and international experts for their contributions to the assessment process amidst the pandemic, as well as the local researchers for their continued support to the TRS and the work of the RGC.
To enhance Hong Kong's competitive advantages and better integration into the overall national development, the RGC has recently reviewed the research themes and grand challenge topics of the TRS. Two new topics, namely "Quantum Technology" and "Integrated Circuits" will be added to TRS 2023/24 (Thirteenth Round). The call for proposals for the next TRS round will be issued later this month.
Details of the approved projects are available on the RGC website (www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/trs/funded_research/trs12.html) for reference.