Research Areas

The Government has identified eight major themes for the PPRFS, namely (a) Co-operation with the Mainland; (b) Land and Housing; (c) Economic Development; (d) Livelihood Issues; (e) Innovation and Technology; (f) Education and Youth Development; (g) Environmental Protection; and (h) Political Development and Governance with 29 indicative research areas. Please refer to Annex I of the Guidance Notes for details. Applicants are encouraged to prepare proposals on these areas but are free to submit proposals on other research areas. The same assessment criteria shall apply to all applications received.

For the SPPRFS, strategic themes and research areas will be identified for each year’s applications in light of the research needs and policy priorities of the Government. For 2023-24, the Government has identified eight strategic themes, namely (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. There are specified research areas under each strategic theme. Please refer to Annex II of the Guidance Notes for details.

Applications for SPPRFS 2023-24 must be made under one of the 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.