The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has demonstrated its research excellence in the 2026/27 funding and fellowship schemes awarded by the Research Grants Council (RGC) under the University Grants Committee.
In the General Research Fund (GRF) exercise, HKU captured the largest share of funding and the highest number of approved projects among local institutions. Out of 869 proposals submitted by the University, 287 were approved, achieving a commendable success rate of 33% and securing nearly 25% of the total available funding, amounting to HK$256.2 million. Remarkably, HKU stood at the forefront of three major competitive subject panels, securing the highest number of grants awarded in the Biology & Medicine Panel, the Humanities & Social Sciences Panel, and the Physical Sciences Panel.
The University's emerging research talent also achieved outstanding success in the Early Career Scheme (ECS), securing HK$31.8 million in funding across 43 projects, a total that outpaces all other local universities.
Furthermore, two distinguished HKU scholars have been recognised in the Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship Scheme (HSSPFS):
- Professor Travis S K Kong, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences
- Professor Benjamin Becker, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences
Professor Stephanie Ma, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) (Interim) at HKU, expressed her warm congratulations to the research teams: "These remarkable achievements highlight the unwavering dedication of our researchers in advancing knowledge and innovation. I would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the RGC for their steadfast support of HKU's research initiatives. This vital funding not only enhances our research capabilities but also serves as a strong motivation for our talented researchers. HKU remains committed to cultivating a vibrant and dynamic research environment that encourages both established scholars and emerging talents to explore new frontiers and achieve excellence in their fields."
