Innovation and Technology Commission's Funding Schemes

The ITC administers two funds that promote and support collaboration between business and university researchers.

Partnership Research Programme - Matching Grant for Joint Research

The Matching Grant aims to encourage private companies to collaborate with universities in proprietary R&D projects. The university’s researchers should be the core project team members and conduct the major part of the R&D work on the project. The Matching Grant contributes to the project costs, although the company must provide no less than 50% of the required funds; the university is also expected to make a substantial contribution to the project.

Note that projects focusing on routine applications of existing technologies or on the provision of bureau services will not be funded.

For more information, please visit ITF website at https://www.itf.gov.hk/l-eng/PRP.asp  

Research and Development Cash Rebate Scheme

The Cash Rebate Scheme offers companies a cash rebate equivalent to 40% of its expenditure in two types of R&D projects –

• projects under the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) (ITF projects); and
• projects funded entirely by the companies and conducted by HKU ("Partnership projects").

The scheme’s goals are to reinforce a research culture among business enterprises and encourage them to establish stronger partnerships with local public research institutions.

For more information, please visit ITC website at http://crs.itc.gov.hk