Competitive Research Funding
Schemes for Local Selffinancing Degree Sector
Research Grants Council
14 January 2015
Research Grants Council
and the Competitive Research
Funding Schemes for the Selffinancing Degree Sector
Professor Benjamin Wah
Chairman, RGC
UGC Structure
UGC
QAC
RGC
Groups to deal with：

Strategy

Research policy matters

General administration

Financial affairs

Communications

Ad hoc groups as required
Research Grants Council (RGC)

Established 1 January 1991

To advise the Government, through the UGC, on the academic
research needs of UGC-funded higher education institutions

To review research proposals and monitor the outcome of such
projects

To review and approve award of fellowships

To operate new research funding schemes for the local selffinancing degree-awarding sector
How the RGC administers various
funding schemes :
RGC
Major Projects
Steering
Committee
• Theme-based
Research
Scheme
Collaborative
Research Fund
Committee
Hong Kong PhD
Fellowship Scheme
Steering Committee
Collaborative
Research Fund
Hong Kong PhD
Fellowship Scheme
Subject Panels
• Biology & Medicine
• Business Studies
• Engineering
• Humanities & Social
Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Areas of
Excellence
Scheme
Steering Committee on
Competitive Research
Funding for the
Self-financing Degree
Sector
• Faculty Development
Scheme
• Institutional Development
Scheme
• Inter-Institutional
Development Scheme
Joint Research
Schemes with
Mainland
China and
other regions
• General Research
Fund
• Early Career Scheme
• Humanities and Social
Sciences Prestigious
Fellowship Scheme
Funding Provision and Ambit
• HK$3 billion from the Research Endowment Fund (out of HK$ 18
billion) is designated for the self-financing degree sector.
Investment income of HK$150 million per year (assuming a 5%
return on HK$3 billion) for the local self-financing degree
awarding institutions.
• The ambit of the funding for the local self-financing degree sector
is to enhance academic and research development and develop
the research capacity of both the institutions and the faculty
members for the local self-financing degree sector (SF).
•
The research funding provision is competitive and non-recurrent
in nature.
The Schemes

Institutional Development Scheme (IDS)

Inter-institutional Development Scheme (IIDS)

Faculty Development Scheme (FDS)
Eligible Institutions / Schools











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Caritas Institute of Higher Education
Centennial College
Chu Hai College of Higher Education
Hang Seng Management College
HKCT Institute of Higher Education
Hong Kong Nang Yan College of Higher Education
Hong Kong Shue Yan University
School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University
School of Professional Education and Executive Development, The
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Technological and Higher Education Institute (THEi) of Hong Kong
The Open University of Hong Kong
Tung Wah College

Listed in alphabetical order
Institutional Development Scheme (IDS)

Objective
To build up the research capacity of local self-financing
degree-awarding institutions / schools in their strategic
areas

Eligibility
Applications will be submitted on an institutional / school
basis by Head of Institutions / Schools

Maximum funding amount
$14 million
Inter-institutional Development Scheme (IIDS)

Objective
To enhance academic’s research capability in the local selffinancing degree-awarding institutions / schools and keep
them abreast of new developments and challenging
research topics in the relevant fields.

Eligibility
Full-time academic staff of the 12 Self-financing institutions.

Funding amount
Subject to merit and justification of the proposal
Faculty Development Scheme (FDS)

Objective
To develop the research capability of individual academics
so that they can transfer their research experiences and
new knowledge into teaching and learning

Eligibility
Full-time academic staff of the 12 Self-financing institutions

Funding amount
Around $0.8 million
Expectations




To enhance the research capability of selffinancing sector.
To leverage teaching and learning through
research.
To build up the critical mass of the local
research community.
To thrive the research development of Hong
Kong in the higher education sector.
How an Application is Assessed
Professor Terry Au
Member, Steering Committee
Assessment Criteria





Academic merit
Institutional commitment
Contribution to academic / professional
development
Social, cultural or economic application
Non-RGC funding (industry / Government)
Academic Quality / Merit




Scientific / scholarly merit
Track record
Originality
Feasibility
Peer Review

Peer review by
–
–

panel members
external reviewers
Recognized experts in Hong Kong or
overseas.
Research Ethics
The RGC has minimal tolerance on:
 Non-disclosure
–
–

Plagiarism
–


Double dipping
Conflict of Interest
Including self-plagiarism
Fraud
Mishandling research participants
Panel Meeting
RGC
Feedback on Assessments

Feedback to encourage and assure quality
standards in research projects.

Enable researchers to improve their research
methodologies.
Build a good track record with RGC




Submit quality proposals
Effective management of projects
Meet deadlines
No malpractice and unethical activity
How to Make a
Successful Application
Professor Eva Hung
Centennial College
Q & A Session
Important dates

Application Deadline
2 March 2015

Results Announcement
August 2015
For information
http://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/sf/sf.htm
Funding Schemes
Competitive Research Funding Schemes
for the Local Self-financing Degree Sector
Inquiry
Research Coordinators of Respective
Institutions / Schools
UGC Secretariat
Please fill out the questionnaire