Research Impact Fund (RIF)

Funding source: University Grants Committee (UGC)

Ampount of funding: HK$ 3 – 10 million from RGC (Another 30% matching fund from university, industry, non-governmental organisations, stakeholders or private donation)

Project duration: 3 – 5 years

Call for preliminary proposal 18/19:

CUHK Internal deadline: 28 Feb 2018 (Wed)

UGC Extenral deadline: 9 Mar 2018 (Friday)

Announcement of funding results: Early January 2019

Notes:

1)      Research Impact Fund aims to,

          a)      encourage local academics to consider and articulate the potential of research to deliver benefit for the wider community;

          b)      encourage more impactful and translational research projects; and

          c)      encourage a greater volume of collaborative research beyond academia.

2)      The focus of the Scheme is on translational aspect rather than basic research. Equal weights on academic merits and potential research impact will be adopted in the assessment of proposals, where the potential research impacts will be assessed in terms of their reach and significance, regardless of the geographic location in which they occurred.

3)      Impact refers to “demonstrable contributions, beneficial effects, valuable changes or advantages that research qualitatively brings to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life; and that are beyond the academia”.

4)      Mandatory matching funds are required from UGC-funded universities / partner(s) for approved projects on a 70% (RGC) / 30% (university / partner(s)) basis. Partners’ contribution may come from industry, non-governmental organizations, stakeholders or private donation. The University would support the matching fund of worthwhile projects that have been recommended by the Research Committee, with preference given to those which are able to obtain matching from external partner(s).

5)      If a preliminary proposal is shortlisted for preparing full proposal, matching fund from external partner(s) should be secured before the submission of full proposal in July 2018. In this regards, applicants are advised to start approaching external partner(s) for matching as early as possible.

6)      Details of arrangement on matters regarding IPR and right to publish for applications with matching funds from external partner(s) will be announced in due course.

7)      The net amount of funding requested from the RGC should range from $3 million to $10 million per project.

More information:

Research Impact Fund (RIF)

Call for Preliminary Proposals: RGC Research Impact Fund (RIF) 2018/19

Related news:

UGC launches Research Impact Fund (RIF), 15 May 2017