General Research Fund
General Research Fund supports university researchers undertaking basic and applied research to advance the frontiers of knowledge, meet specific functional needs and benefit humanity.
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Funder: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Due Dates: August 21, 2026 (Applications open) | October 30, 2026 (Application deadline) | April 15, 2027 (Application updates)
Funding Amounts: Normally up to $2 million per project; minimum request $100,000 or $150,000, depending on field
Summary: Supports university researchers undertaking basic and applied research to advance knowledge and address specific functional needs.
Key Information: Principal investigators must meet appointment, salary and degree-work requirements at a UGC-funded university.
Description
The General Research Fund (GRF), administered by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC), supplements universities’ own research support for researchers who have achieved, or have the potential to achieve, excellence. It supports basic research that advances the frontiers of knowledge regardless of immediate benefit, and applied research that uses theories to meet specific functional requirements or benefit mankind in the short to medium term.
The Council aims to support as many worthy projects as possible across a broad range of fields, while providing fuller support to projects of exceptional merit. Academic quality is the overriding assessment priority. The program also considers university commitment, academic or professional development, potential social, cultural or economic applications, and alternative funding opportunities.
