General Research Fund
The General Research Fund from the Hong Kong Research Grants Council supports innovative basic and applied research at UGC-funded universities across all academic disciplines.
Funder: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2026 (Full application deadline) | April 2027 (Proposal update deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to HK$2 million per project; minimum HK$150,000 (STEM fields) or HK$100,000 (Business, Humanities, Social Sciences); typical project duration 2–3 years.
Summary: Supports outstanding researchers at UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong for basic and applied research across all academic disciplines.
Key Information: Applications must be submitted via the RGC electronic system through your university research office.
Description
The General Research Fund (GRF), administered by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC), is the principal competitive funding scheme supporting research excellence at UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong. The GRF is open to both basic research—expanding the frontiers of knowledge—and applied research that addresses specific societal needs or delivers tangible benefits. Projects are selected based on academic merit, originality, feasibility, potential for impact, and the track record of the investigator(s). The GRF aims to foster innovative research and support a diverse range of scholarly activities that advance knowledge and provide practical solutions for Hong Kong and beyond.
