General Research Fund
The GRF funds high-quality basic and applied research by Hong Kong university academics, focusing on scientific merit, originality, and societal impact across all academic disciplines.
Funder: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Due Dates (Anticipated): August 2026 (application start) | October 2026 (full application deadline) | April 2027 (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 is 1–3 years.
Summary: Supports basic and applied research by university academics in Hong Kong, emphasizing excellence, originality, and societal impact.
Key Information: Applications must be submitted via the RGC electronic system; eligibility is restricted to full-time academic staff at UGC-funded universities.
Description
The General Research Fund (GRF) is a major funding scheme of the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, designed to supplement universities’ internal research support for academic staff who have demonstrated or have the potential for research excellence. The GRF funds both basic research (aimed at advancing fundamental knowledge) and applied research (targeted at practical applications with societal, economic, or cultural benefits). Proposals are evaluated on academic merit, originality, feasibility, and broader impact.
The scheme is highly competitive, with an emphasis on supporting a wide range of high-quality research projects across all disciplines represented at UGC-funded universities. Projects of exceptional merit may receive more comprehensive funding.
