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    Telephone: +852 3426 2604

    Address: Room 303, 3/F, KT 336, 334-336 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong, KLN, HK.

    Government
    Support

    Improve Productivity

    Objective
    Launched in November 2016, TVP aims to support local enterprises/organisations in using technological services and solutions to improve productivity, or upgrade or transform their business processes.

    Eligibility
    Local entities fulfilling the following requirements are eligible to apply for funding under the TVP:

    (a)(i) Registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310); or
    (a)(ii) Incorporated and registered in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622); or
    (a)(iii) Established in Hong Kong by relevant ordinances as statutory bodies;
    AND

    (b) Not a listed company in Hong Kong, and not a government subvented organisation3 or subsidiary of any government subvented organisation3;
    AND

    (c) With substantive business operation in Hong Kong which is related to the project under application at the time of application.

    Key Features

    • Provide funding for projects on a 3 (Government):1 (enterprise/organisation) matching basis.
    • Cumulative funding ceiling per enterprise/organisation: HK$600,000.
    • Up to 6 projects per enterprise/organisation.

    Application
    TVP invites applications for funding all year round. An entity should register as a user and submit its application through the Technology Voucher Programme Funding Administrative System. Applicants may approach the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) for assistance if they encounter difficulties in submitting applications through the TVP website. Please read the following documents before submitting an application..

    > For more information

    Social Innovation Funding Opportunities

    The Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund) connects the community with businesses, NGOs, academics and philanthropies to provide budding entrepreneurs with a wide range of resources to help them develop innovative ideas, products and services that serve unmet social needs. In FY 2015/16 the SIE Fund has provided funding to 25 ventures to help social entrepreneurs actualise their innovative ideas and their empathy for the underprivileged. Besides, an on-line platform has been built at the Fund’s website to share stories of “HK social innovators” with the aim of inspiring more visionary persons to start their own ventures.

    > For more information

    Research and Development Funding Opportunities

    Objective
    Launched in 2015, ESS aims to provide funding support for local companies to conduct in-house research and development (R&D) work with a view to encouraging the private sector to invest in R&D.

    Eligibility
    A company will be eligible to apply if it –

    a. is incorporated in Hong Kong;
    b. has a current business registration certificate;
    c. is not a government subvented
    d. is not a subsidiary of any government subvented organisation12.

    Key Features

    • Provides on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis.
    • Maximum Funding Support: $10 million per approved project.
    • Maximum Project Duration: 24 months in general.
    • Intellectual Property Rights Ownership: recipient company.
    • Recoupment of Government’s Contribution: NOT required.
    • Benefit Sharing of Commercialised R&D Results: NOT mandatory.

    > For more information

    Objective
    Launched in November 1999, ITSP (Platform & Seed) aims to support applied research and development (R&D) projects undertaken by R&D Centres1 or designated local public research institutes2 with a view to transferring the R&D results to local industries.

    Eligibility
    The lead applicant must be an R&D Centre1 or a designated local public research institute2.

    Key Features

    • Support platform R&D projects and seed projects.
    • Platform projects: industry-oriented applied R&D projects with potential for commercialisation.
      • Maximum Project Duration: 24 months.
      • Industry Sponsorship: at least 10% of the total project cost.
    • Seed projects: exploratory and forward-looking in nature.
      • Maximum Funding Support: HK$2.8 million undertaken by R&D Centres1; HK$1.4 million undertaken by other applicants.
      • Maximum Project Duration: 18 months.
      • Industry Sponsorship: NOT mandatory.
    • Intellectual Property (IP) Rights Ownership: lead applicant.

    > For more information

    Objective
    Launched in February 2022, ITSP (Mid-stream, theme-based) aims to encourage universities funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC) to collaborate with leading research institutes worldwide to conduct more theme-based inter-disciplinary and translational research and development (R&D) work in focused technology areas.

    Eligibility
    The lead applicant must be a university funded by the UGC.

    Key Features

    • Theme-based.
    • Maximum Funding Support: HK$5 million per project for Standalone Projects; HK$10 million per project for Collaboration Projects involving multiple disciplines or research institutes (priority accorded).
    • Maximum Project Duration: 36 months.
    • Industry Sponsorship: NOT mandatory.
    • Intellectual Property Rights Ownership: lead applicant.

    > For more information

    Objective
    Launched in April 2019, MHKJFS aims to support and encourage research and development (R&D) collaboration among universities, research institutes and technology enterprises in Hong Kong and the Mainland.

    Eligibility
    The lead applicant must be an R&D Centre1 or a designated local public research institute2. The industry co-applicant for collaborative projects can be either a company incorporated in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622); or an industry support organisation, a trade and industry association or professional body which has the legal capacity to enter into contracts.

    Key Features

    • Support platform and collaborative R&D projects with an element of Mainland and Hong Kong cooperation.
    • Maximum Project Duration: 24 months.
    • Industry Sponsorship: at least 10% of the total project cost for platform projects; at least 50% of the total project cost for collaborative projects.
    • Intellectual Property (IP) Rights Ownership: lead applicant for platform projects; industry co-applicant for collaborative projects if it contributes at least 50% of the total project cost.
    • R&D work of the projects must be conducted in both Hong Kong and the Mainland.
    • ITC and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) will provide funding to the Hong Kong and Mainland applicant organisations respectively, and will monitor project progress according to their own requirements.

    > For more information

    Objective
    Launched in September 2004, TCFS aims to enhance the level of collaboration on research and development (R&D) among universities, research institutes and technology enterprises in Hong Kong and Guangdong/Shenzhen.

    Eligibility
    The lead applicant must be an R&D Centre1 or a designated local public research institute2. The industry co-applicant for collaborative projects can be either a company incorporated in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622); or an industry support organisation, a trade and industry association or professional body which has the legal capacity to enter into contracts.

    Key Features

    • Support platform and collaborative R&D projects with an element of Hong Kong and Guangdong or Hong Kong and Shenzhen cooperation.
    • Three categories of projects under TCFS:
      • Category A: projects solicited, vetted and funded solely by Hong Kong.
      • Category B: projects solicited, vetted and funded solely by Guangdong or Shenzhen.
      • Category C: projects jointly solicited and funded by Guangdong and Hong Kong (Category C1) or Shenzhen and Hong Kong (Category C2). R&D work of the projects must be conducted in both Hong Kong and Guangdong or Shenzhen.
    • Maximum Project Duration: 24 months.
    • Industry Sponsorship: at least 10% of the total project cost for platform projects; at least 50% of the total project cost for collaborative projects.
    • Intellectual Property (IP) Rights Ownership: lead applicant for platform projects; industry co-applicant for collaborative projects if it contributes at least 50% of the total project cost.

    > For more information

    Objective
    Launched in January 2019, PRP aims to support applied research and development (R&D) projects undertaken by R&D Centres1 or designated local public research institutes2 in collaboration with companies.

    Eligibility
    The lead applicant must be an R&D Centre1 or a designated local public research institute2, which should partner with an industry co-applicant to apply for PRP. The industry co-applicant can be either a company incorporated in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622); or an industry support organisation, a trade and industry association or professional body which has the legal capacity to enter into contracts.

    Key Features

    • Provide matching funding support for Collaborative R&D projects.
    • Maximum Project Duration: 36 months.
    • Industry Sponsorship: at least 50% of the total project cost.
    • Intellectual Property (IP) Rights Ownership: industry co-applicant if it contributes at least 50% of the total project cost.

    > For more information

    Objective
    Launched in April 2010, CRS aims to encourage more research and development (R&D) investment in the private sector and encourage companies to establish stronger partnership with local public research institutes.

    Eligibility
    A company is eligible to apply for cash rebate if it is :

    • a company incorporated in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) or an entity registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310); and
    • not a government subvented organisation3; and
    • not a subsidiary of any government subvented organisation3

    The Scheme provides a cash rebate equivalent to 40% of a company’s eligible expenditure in two types of applied R&D projects –

    • R&D projects funded by the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) (“ITF projects”); and
    • R&D projects funded entirely by companies and conducted in partnership with designated local public research institutes4 (“Partnership projects”).

    For Partnership projects, the following types of work or activities will not be eligible for cash rebate under the Scheme –

    • product enhancement/customisation and related work, conventional operation or/and business activities without scientific research content, such as product design and general system automation;
    • companies’ in-house R&D work; and
    • research projects outside the science and technology fields such as market researches and management studies.

    Key Features

    • 40% cash rebate of the companies’ eligible expenditure contributed to ITF projects and Partnership projects as undertaken by designated local public research institutes1.

    > For more information

    Facilitating Technology Adoption

    Objective
    Launched in March 2011, PSTS-ITF aims to provide funding support for production of prototypes/samples and/or conducting of trials in the public sector to facilitate and promote the realisation and commercialisation of research and development (R&D) results under ITF projects.

    Eligibility
    All completed ITF R&D projects undertaken by R&D Centres1 and designated local public research institutes2 are eligible for funding support under the Scheme. The applicant should either be the R&D Centre/designated local public research institute undertaking the project; or the company owning the intellectual property (IP) of the project deliverables.

    Key Features

    • Maximum Funding Support: 50% of the actual cost of the original R&D project (and up to 100% for projects initiated by R&D Centres).
    • Maximum Project Duration: 24 months.
    • Industry sponsorship: NOT mandatory.
    • Use of samples/prototypes and conducting of trials are confined to the public sector which includes Government bureaux and departments, public bodies, non-profit-making trade associations, charitable organisations, etc.
    • ld aim to facilitate the development of new products not already available in the market currently, and should employ the R&D results/deliverables of the completed ITF projects.

    > For more information

    Objective
    Launched in December 2016, PSTS-SPC aims to provide funding support for production of prototypes/samples and/or conducting of trials in the public sector by incubatees and graduate tenants5 of the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) and Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport).

    Eligibility
    The applicant should be a current incubatee or graduate tenant of HKSTPC or Cyberport. The research and development (R&D) outcomes for trial need to be developed by the applicant, and should align with its business plans.

    Key Features

    • Maximum funding support: $1 million per trial project.
    • Maximum project duration: 12 months.
    • Deployment of samples/prototypes and conducting of trials are generally confined to the local public sector which includes Government bureaux and departments, statutory bodies and/or Hong Kong Government subvented non-governmental bodies in the welfare sector.
    • The project should aim to facilitate the development of new products not already available in the market, and should employ the R&D results/deliverables developed by the applicant itself.

    > For more information

    Objective
    Launched in March 2020, PSTS-TC aims to fund the production of prototypes/samples and/or conducting of trials in the public sector by technology companies conducting R&D activities in Hong Kong.

    Eligibility
    The applicant should be a technology company incorporated in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) or registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310) which is conducting R&D activities in Hong Kong. The technology company must not be a government subvented organisation or a subsidiary of any government subvented organisation. The R&D outcomes for trial need to be owned by the applicant company and developed by the applicant company primarily in Hong Kong and should align with its business plans.

    Key Features

    • Maximum Funding Support: $1 million per project.
    • Maximum Project Duration: 12 months.
    • Deployment of samples/prototypes and conducting of trials are generally confined to the local public sector which includes Government bureaux and departments, statutory bodies and/or Hong Kong Government subvented non-governmental bodies in the welfare sector.
    • The project should aim to facilitate the development of new products not already available in the market, and should employ the R&D results/deliverables developed and owned by the applicant itself.

    > For more information

    Objective
    Launched in July 2020, RFS aims to subsidise manufacturers to set up new smart production lines in Hong Kong.

    Eligibility
    Companies incorporated in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) are eligible to apply.

    Key Features

    • Entire or a significant portion of the production line under application should fulfil the “smart manufacturing” criteria.
    • Funding will be provided on a 1 (government) : 2 (company) matching basis.
    • Maximum funding support: one-third of the total approved project cost or $15 million per project, whichever is lower.
    • Funding scope: expenses directly related to the establishment of the new production line in Hong Kong.
    • Project duration: normally within 24 months.

    > For more information

    Objective
    Launched in May 2017, FBL aims to fund innovation and technology (“I&T”) projects which will make people’s daily living more convenient, comfortable and safer, or address the needs of specific community groups.

    Eligibility
    The lead applicant must be:

    • Non-governmental organisations receiving subvention from the Social Welfare Department; or
    • Public bodies under Section 2 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap. 201), except the Government Bureaux/Departments, the Executive Council and the Legislative Council; or
    • Professional bodies; or
    • Trade associations; or
    • Social service organisations exempted from tax under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112)

    The above organisations should either be registered under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) or the former Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32); or statutory corporations established under any Ordinances in Hong Kong. Other organisations may also be considered under exceptional circumstances.

    Key Features

    • Funds projects that involve the innovative application of technologies, benefit the public at large or specific groups, and be in line with government policies.
    • Themes: daily living, education, environment, health, safety, transport, etc.
    • Project deliverables should be developed and rolled out within 12 months, and run for at least two consecutive years after roll-out (except for projects that are one-off in nature).
    • Maximum Funding Support: 90% of the total eligible costs of the project or HK$5 million, whichever is the less.
    • Projects should not be profit-making during the funding period.

    > For more information

    Supporting Technology Start-ups

    Objective
    Launched in 2014, TSSSU provides funding to six universities8 to support their teams in starting technology businesses and commercialising their research and development (R&D) results.

    Eligibility
    A technology start-up will be eligible to apply if –

    • it is registered in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance for not more than two years as of the date of the application deadline9; and
    • the team forming the start-up may have any mix of the students and professors of the university –
      • undergraduates, postgraduates or alumni; and/or
      • professor(s) or other faculty members serving as consultant(s) providing technical expertise and direction of the R&D.

    Key Features

    • Maximum funding support: an annual funding of up to $8 million is provided to each of the six universities. Each funded technology start-up may receive up to $1.5 million each year for no more than three years10.
    • Scope of funding: essential items for setting up and operating the start-ups (e.g. furniture and equipment, legal and accounting services, rental of necessary and suitable premises, manpower, etc.), expenditure on R&D, promotion activities and marketing of their R&D deliverables, products or services.
    • Provision of funding: funding is provided to the universities on a reimbursement basis after the close of each Government financial year.
    • Intellectual property rights ownership: approved start-up and/or associated university.

    > For more information

    Objective
    The Government has set up a HK$2 billion Innovation and Technology Venture Fund (ITVF) in 2017 with a view to attracting more venture capital (VC) funds to co-invest in local innovation and technology (I&T) startups in Hong Kong.

    Eligibility
    The ITVF, through a special-purpose vehicle “The Innovation and Technology Venture Fund Corporation” (ITVFC), will co-invest with VC funds selected as Co-investment Partners (CPs) in eligible local I&T startups (investee company).

    An “eligible local I&T startup” must meet the following criteria: –

    • it or its wholly-owned Hong Kong company was incorporated under the Companies Ordinance within the last seven years and with one of its offices (headquarter or regional office) or its main business operation or its key management or leadership team being located in Hong Kong;
    • it or its subsidiar(ies) (if any) have been engaging in I&T business, covering any part of the research and development or production chain in Hong Kong; and
    • it and its subsidiar(ies) (if any) have a total number of employees (including Hong Kong, Mainland China and overseas offices) being less than 250.

    Key Features

    • Target to co-invest in eligible local I&T startups.
    • Co-invest at a matching ratio of approximately 1(ITVF): 2 (CP).
    • ITVFC’s matching investment ceiling:
      • Aggregate amount of matching investments with a CP not more than HK$400 million;
      • Aggregate amount of investments in an investee company not more than HK$50 million; and
      • For each co-investment in an investee company, the matching investment shall constitute not more than (i) 40% of the original total target investment amount sought by the investee company, or (ii) HK$30 million, whichever is the lower.

    > For more information