Strategic Topics Grant
The Strategic Topics Grant funds collaborative research on Hong Kong’s ageing society, prioritizing health, technology, and economic studies with strong community impact and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Funder: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2026 (preliminary proposal submission deadline to UGC Secretariat via coordinating universities; projected)
Funding Amounts: HK$10–40 million per project (up to 5 years; 90% RGC, 10% university match required)
Summary: Supports collaborative research addressing Hong Kong’s demographic change and ageing society, fostering impact and stakeholder collaboration.
Key Information: Each university may submit up to 5 applications; one application per Project Coordinator per round.
Description
The Strategic Topics Grant (STG) is a major collaborative research funding scheme designed to address issues of strategic importance for Hong Kong. The current focus is on "Demographic Change – Ageing Society," with priority given to projects in three areas: Health and Longevity in a Caring Community, Smart Technology and an Ageing Population, and Silver Society, Economy and Finance. Exceptionally strong proposals outside these areas but within the ageing society domain are also considered.
The scheme encourages interdisciplinary, impactful research that builds on previous work and aims to deliver clear community benefits. Collaboration with external stakeholders, particularly in the Greater Bay Area, is highly valued. The grant supports projects that demonstrate a clear pathway to impact, strong academic merit, and a robust strategy for addressing Hong Kong's pressing demographic challenges.
