Young scientists from The University of Hong Kong (HKU) have excelled in the 2025 National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) funding exercise, securing the highest number of grants among all Hong Kong institutions in both the Young Scientist Fund (Type A) and (Type B) categories.
In the top-tier Young Scientist Fund (Type A) (formerly the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars), five HKU scholars were selected for their pioneering research in Medicine, Urban Social Geography, Financial Innovation and Economics, Physics, and Micro/Nano Mechanics. Each awardee will receive RMB 4 million in funding to advance their cutting-edge research.
Additionally, eight HKU scholars were selected for the Young Scientist Fund (Type B) (formerly the Excellent Young Scientists Fund), with projects spanning Economics, Medicine, Engineering, Climate Change, and Agricultural Ecology, each receiving RMB 2 million in support. A further seven scholars secured funding under the Young Scientist Fund (Type C) (formerly the Young Scientists Fund), with grants of RMB 300,000 per award, reinforcing HKU's commitment to nurturing the next generation of research talent.
Professor Max Shen, Vice-President (Research) at HKU, stated, "This recognition from the NSFC not only highlights the exceptional calibre of our young researchers but also reflects the vital role Hong Kong's scientific community plays in advancing the nation's innovation development. HKU will continue to cultivate world-class interdisciplinary talent, deepen research collaborations with mainland and international partners, address national priorities and drive sustainable societal progress through breakthrough innovations."
