Theme-based Research Scheme
The Theme-based Research Scheme by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council funds large-scale, interdisciplinary research on strategic themes vital to Hong Kong’s development.
Funder: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Due Dates: September 12, 2025: Preliminary proposal deadline | September 11, 2026: Application deadline
Funding Amounts: Up to HK$75 million direct project cost per project; maximum project duration is five years.
Summary: Supports collaborative research on strategic themes vital to Hong Kong’s development, focusing on high-impact, interdisciplinary projects.
Key Information: Only one application as Project Coordinator allowed per cycle (TRS or Areas of Excellence).
Description
The Theme-based Research Scheme (TRS), managed by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, is designed to concentrate the research efforts of UGC-funded universities on areas of strategic importance to Hong Kong’s long-term development. The scheme targets four designated themes, each with specific grand challenge topics, and encourages large-scale, collaborative, and interdisciplinary research that addresses critical issues such as disease prevention, sustainability, business innovation, and emerging technologies. The scheme aims to foster academic excellence and generate impactful outcomes that contribute to Hong Kong’s competitiveness and societal advancement.
