A new funding scheme launched in 2022, the Research Grants Council’s (RGC) Strategic Topics Grant (STG) supports collaborative and interdisciplinary research at University Grants Committee-funded universities to address Hong Kong’s imminent challenges and seize the opportunities offered by the National 14th Five-Year Plan.

Of the 29 preliminary proposals received in the 2023/24 exercise, only six were eventually supported by an overall budget of HK$166 million* after a thorough and rigorous assessment process. The selected proposals cover a wide range of research areas, including artificial intelligence in healthcare, carbon neutrality, integrated circuits, opto-electronics innovation and technology, and public health.

The main feature of the STG scheme is its top-down approach that focuses the strengths of diverse disciplines on specified priority research areas pertinent to the strategic needs of Hong Kong. Five strategic topics are set under the scheme.

Led by Prof. Sun Qingping (Project Coordinator), Head and Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, the project titled “Decarbonization Solutions for Buildings in Hong Kong: Development, Assessment and Deployment” was allocated HK$34.377 million*, under the topic of “Striving toward Carbon Neutrality before 2050”.

Adopting a systems-based and problem-driven collaborative approach, the study aims to (1) identify and develop promising building technologies according to their efficacy and viability, for maximizing carbon reduction and energy efficiency, and (2) integrate the developed innovative technologies with net-zero policies and regulations in the built sector, and to provide a feasible and accountable roadmap to the Hong Kong government for implementation.

The research team comprises leading experts in environmental and mechanical engineering, materials science and engineering, and public policy from HKUST, PolyU and CityU, along with key stakeholders from the Environmental Protection Department of the HKSAR Government and Hong Kong Green Building Council.

The research will advance the existing knowledge and hardware-software for the building sector, promote the reshaping of Hong Kong’s building industry, and eventually establish the city as an international center of excellence in this field.

Among the six selected proposals in STG 2023/24,  include two led by HKUST, two by HKU, one by CUHK, and one by PolyU.

* including funding from RGC and matching fund from universities concerned

Related link:

• RGC press release (July 18, 2023): RGC announces funding results of Strategic Topics Grant 2023/24
• RGC press release (Aug 8, 2022): Research Grants Council allocates $150 million for launch of Strategic Topics Grant
   

This news content was prepared by the School of Engeering, the news hightlights - " Addressing Hong Kong’s Imminent Challenges - Two SENG-led Research Projects Awarded HK$58 Million in RGC Strategic Topics Grant 2023/24" <https://seng.hkust.edu.hk/news/20230818/two-seng-led-research-projects-awarded-hk58-million-rgc-strategic-topics-grant-202324>