The Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (RGC) recently announced the funding results of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/RGC Joint Research Scheme (JRS) and Collaborative Research Scheme (CRS). The JRS is funding 10 projects at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), while the CRS is funding two. Among the eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities, CUHK is the leader in the number of projects funded by the JRS and the total number funded by both schemes.

The NSFC/RGC JRS and CRS support research proposals jointly submitted by mainland and Hong Kong researchers. The JRS aims to promote collaboration between researchers and research teams in Hong Kong and the mainland by complementing the existing strengths of both sides, while the CRS aims to support larger-scale collaborative research across disciplines and universities in the mainland and Hong Kong, with a view to enhancing the research output and impact of both.

Prof. Sham Mai-har, Choh-Ming Li Professor of Biomedical Sciences from the School of Biomedical Sciences (SBS) and CUHK’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor said, “The NSFC/RGC Schemes serve as catalysts that link researchers and research teams from Hong Kong and mainland China together to unlock new frontiers of knowledge. It brings me great joy to witness that CUHK researchers are engaged in high-calibre collaborative projects with their mainland counterparts. With the steadfast support of the NSFC and RGC, I envisage a future when researchers from both regions complement their individual strengths to orchestrate a symphony of innovation that yields transformative research outcomes.”

Among the Principal Investigators of the 10 JRS funded projects, 3 projects are by SBS members Prof. Alfred S.L. Cheng. Prof. Hannah Hui Xiaoyan and Prof. Wang Dan. Each successful JRS Hong Kong applicant receives a maximum grant of HK$1.25 million.In addition, one collaborative research project between Hong Kong and the mainland is funded by the NSFC/RGC CRS, led by Prof. Sham Mai-har from SBS.

The related coverage by the Communications and Public Relations Office can be viewed HERE.

(From left) Prof. Sham Mai-har, Prof. Alfred S.L. Cheng, Prof. Hannah Hui Xiaoyan, Prof. Wang Dan