HK Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2023-24 opens for application

The SPPRFS is a government-financed funding scheme dedicated to supporting evidence-based public policy research by higher education institutions and think tanks in Hong Kong. The CEPU is its Secretariat. As the Government's internal research unit, the CEPU was set up to enhance the Government's capabilities in research and advocacy on long-term and strategic issues. One of its tasks is to build up external policy research capacity through measures including administering the SPPRFS. This will be conducive to the achievement of the CEPU's objectives, including to advocate for and assist in the formulation of long-term and strategic policies from a forward-thinking perspective; to keep abreast of national development and analyse and suggest areas of significance in the integration into national development; to examine international relations and situations, and analyse opportunities and risks; and to grasp the sentiments of Hong Kong citizens to understand the general direction and focus of their concerns.

     In light of the research needs and policy priorities of the Government, eight strategic themes have been identified for SPPRFS 2023-24. They are: (a) Development Opportunities from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area under the National 14th Five-Year Plan; (b) The Third Generation Internet (Web3); (c) Public Sector Reform; (d) Achieving Carbon Neutrality; (e) Hydrogen Economy; (f) Sustainable Development of Elderly Care Service under an Ageing Population; (g) Healthcare Innovations in the Post-COVID 19 Pandemic Era; and (h) Education. Under each strategic theme, there are specified research areas on which researches should be conducted.

     Applications for SPPRFS 2023-24 must be made under one of the specified strategic themes and in line with the specified research areas. Those falling outside the specified strategic themes and specified research areas will not be considered generally.

     With a view to generating findings and policy recommendations in a timely manner for the Government’s reference as well as providing more flexibility to the research teams, the project duration of an SPPRFS project has been extended to range from 1 - 5 years instead of 3 - 5 years in the past. Funding of up to HK$5 million may be granted to each successful SPPRFS project.

     Assessments will be conducted by an Assessment Panel which comprises experienced academics. The Assessment Panel will also take into account comments of external reviewers who are experienced academics and experts during the assessment process. To ensure policy relevance of the research proposals, suggestions and views of relevant government bureaux/departments will also be sought for reference by the Panel. A declaration of interests system is in place to ensure that the assessments are fair and impartial.

     Research quality and strategic relevance to public policy development in Hong Kong are the primary considerations in evaluating research proposals under the SPPRFS. Other factors that will be taken into account by the Panel include the deliverables of the research, the research team’s capability, the feasibility and practicality of the proposal, the implementation schedule, and the proposed budget. Institutional support towards capacity building in public policy research and any external funding sources and support will also be taken into consideration.

     Separately, the major themes and indicative research areas of the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS), which is also administered by the CEPU, have been updated having regard to Hong Kong's current and long-term development as well as the need for research on various social issues. After the updating, there are eight major themes with 29 indicative research areas. As compared to SPPRFS, PPRFS focuses on research studies of a shorter duration and smaller scale. Applications for PPRFS are accepted throughout the year and the results of each batch of applications will be announced on a quarterly basis in general.

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