Research Impact Fund
Forecasted
Research Impact Fund supports Hong Kong academics in pursuing impactful, translational research and collaboration beyond academia to benefit the wider community locally and internationally.
This grant was recently updated
The funder removed the listed application start date of 23 January 2026 and deadline of 27 February 2026 from the Research Impact Fund page; no replacement dates were added.
Funder: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Due Dates (Anticipated): February 2027 (Preliminary electronic proposals) | March 2027 (Hard and soft copies)
Funding Amounts: HK$3 million–HK$10 million from RGC per project over three to five years; mandatory 30% matching contribution
Summary: Supports impactful, translational research by Hong Kong academics that benefits the wider community and encourages collaboration beyond academia.
Key Information: Project Coordinators must meet the appointment, staff-grade, workload and salary requirements at a UGC-funded university.
Description
The Research Impact Fund (RIF), administered by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC), supports research that combines academic merit with potential benefits beyond academia. It encourages local academics to explain how their research can make a difference to the wider community and to pursue more impactful and translational projects. Academic merit and potential research impact receive equal weight in assessment.
The fund also encourages collaboration with government departments, businesses, industry and research institutes. Impact may benefit the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life, whether locally, regionally, nationally or internationally. The selection panel has encouraged stronger emphasis on local impact and greater participation from commercial entities, enabling external organisations to contribute directly to projects.
