Support for SMEs

To enhance the level of collaboration on research and development (R&D) among universities, research institutes and technology enterprises in Hong Kong and Guangdong/Shenzhen.

Support platform and collaborative R&D projects with an element of Hong Kong and Guangdong or Hong Kong and Shenzhen cooperation.

Three categories of projects under Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Cooperation Funding Scheme:

1. Category A: projects solicited, vetted and funded solely by Hong Kong.
2. Category B: projects solicited, vetted and funded solely by Guangdong or Shenzhen.
3. Category C: projects jointly solicited and funded by Guangdong and Hong Kong (Category C1) or Shenzhen and Hong Kong (Category C2). R&D work of the projects must be conducted in both Hong Kong and Guangdong or Shenzhen.

Maximum Project Duration: 24 months.

Industry Sponsorship: at least 10% of the total project cost for platform projects; at least 50% of the total project cost for collaborative projects.

Intellectual Property (IP) Rights Ownership: lead applicant for platform projects; industry co-applicant for collaborative projects if it contributes at least 50% of the total project cost.

The lead applicant must be an R&D Centre* or a designated local public research institute#. The industry co-applicant for collaborative projects can be either a company incorporated in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622); or an industry support organisation, a trade and industry association or professional body which has the legal capacity to enter into contracts.

*R&D Centres refer to -

• Automotive Platforms and Application Systems R&D Centre;
• Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel;
• Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute, designated as the R&D Centre for Information and Communications Technologies;
• Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre; and
• Nano and Advanced Materials Institute.

#Designated local public research institutes refer to local universities (including all University Grants Committee-funded institutions), self-financing degree-awarding institutions registered under the Post-Secondary Colleges Ordinance (Cap. 320), the Hong Kong Productivity Council, the Vocational Training Council, the Clothing Industry Training Authority and the Hong Kong Institute of Biotechnology.

• Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Cooperation Funding Scheme invites applications for funding once a year. Please visit the Scheme's website for the application periods. 
• Applications under Category C must be submitted concurrently by both the Hong Kong and Guangdong/Shenzhen applicant organisations to the Innovation and Technology Commission and Guangdong/Shenzhen authorities respectively. Unilateral submission will not be accepted.