The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to pursuing world-leading research and innovation for societal benefits. In the Research Grants Council's (RGC) Senior Research Fellow Scheme (SRFS) and Research Fellow Scheme (RFS) 2026/27, four distinguished PolyU scholars have been awarded fellowships. The Schemes offer support for the awardees' continued innovations and breakthroughs in diverse frontier fields, spanning advanced semiconductor manufacturing, mathematical finance, cognitive neuroscience and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, extended his congratulations to the awardees and said: "These prestigious fellowships are a resounding testament to PolyU scholars' outstanding research achievements. Their projects exemplify the University's determination to pursue research excellence and its commitment to advancing world‑leading innovation. PolyU will continue to cultivate a vibrant research environment, providing significant resources and support for our researchers to focus on frontier R&D. Through innovative solutions, we will continue to create tangible societal benefits while inspiring and nurturing the next generation of research talent to propel Hong Kong's development as an international innovation and technology hub."
The RGC SRFS and RFS schemes aim to provide sustained research support for outstanding full Professors and Associate Professors with relief from teaching and administrative duties, so enabling them to more fully focus on R&D and nurture the next generation of research talent for Hong Kong. Each of the two schemes award 10 fellowships annually, with awardees being conferred the title "RGC Senior Research Fellow" or "RGC Research Fellow" and provided a grant of around HK$8.5 million and HK$5.6 million respectively.
The successful projects showcase the University's exceptional strength in bridging theoretical breakthroughs with real-life applications, underscoring the world-class calibre of PolyU research and the University's commitment to translating frontier knowledge into impactful solutions that address pressing global challenges. The PolyU awardees are as follows.
| RGC SRFS 2026/27 |
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| Awardee |
Project Title |
Abstract |
| Prof. Benny CHEUNG Chi-fai, Chair Professor of Ultra-precision Machining and Metrology of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering; Director of the State Key Laboratory of Ultra-precision Machining Technology at PolyU |
A multi-mode ultra-through-focus light-field-spectrometry microscopy (MULFSM) for in-situ measurement of nanostructured surfaces in semiconductor manufacturing |
This project aims to develop MULFSM and its AI-data processing method to enable simultaneous and in situ qualitative and quantitative measurement and inspection of nanostructured surfaces during semiconductor manufacturing and related industrial applications. This research will enhance scientific understanding of MULFSM and deliver significant impact on both research and industry in relation to nanostructured surface manufacturing for the global semiconductor sector. |
| Prof. DAI Min, Chair Professor of Applied Statistics and Financial Mathematics of the Department of Applied Mathematics and the School of Accounting and Finance; Director of the Research Centre for Quantitative Finance at PolyU |
Multi-dimensional free boundary problems in finance: Theory and algorithms |
This project aims to address key challenges in financial decision-making that can be formulated as multi-dimensional free boundary problems. Through a comprehensive theoretical and numerical study of four interconnected themes, including deep learning and continuous-time reinforcement learning applied to portfolio selection, corporate finance and option pricing, this research promises significant advances in stochastic control theory, computational methods and financial modeling. Its outcomes will potentially benefit policymakers and investors by improving market understanding and risk management. |
| RGC RFS 2026/27 |
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| Awardee |
Project Title |
Abstract |
| Prof. Bolton CHAU, Associate Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Associate Director of the Mental Health Research Centre at PolyU |
How distractors bias choices: Investigating mechanisms through computational modelling, neuroimaging, neurochemistry and neurostimulation |
This project aims to investigate how human decisions are biased by distracting information via employing advanced cognitive neuroscience techniques. Using computational modelling, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), the research will examine neurocomputational mechanisms of decision-making biases. Its findings will hold key practical implications for enhancing evidence-based policy-making, promoting unbiased decision-making and developing treatments for psychiatric disorders. |
| Prof. ZHENG Yuanqing, Professor of the Department of Computing at PolyU |
Software-defined edge radio access networks: System architecture and applications |
This project aims to design and implement a new software-defined wireless network architecture to address backhaul network pressure in traditional Cloud Radio Access Networks (CRAN). By processing signals locally through an efficient packet processing pipeline, this research will accelerate radio access network innovation to support massive IoT connectivity for smart metering, precision agriculture and the emerging low-altitude economy, facilitating large-scale concurrent communication, wireless sensing and carrier frequency shifting. |
