Support for SMEs

ITSP (Platform & Seed) aims to support applied research and development (R&D) projects undertaken by R&D Centres or designated local public research institutes with a view to transferring the R&D results to local industries. ITSP (Collaborative), formerly the Partnership Research Programme (PRP), aims to support applied R&D projects undertaken by R&D Centres or designated local public research institutes in collaboration with companies.

Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP) comprises ITSP (Platform & Seed) and ITSP (Collaborative) to support platform R&D projects, seed projects and collaborative projects.

Platform projects: industry-oriented applied R&D projects with potential for commercialisation.

• Maximum Project Duration: 24 months.
• Industry Sponsorship: at least 10% of the total project cost.
• IP Rights Ownership: lead applicant.

Seed projects: exploratory and forward-looking in nature.

• Maximum Funding Support: HKD2.8 million undertaken by R&D Centres; HKD1.4 million undertaken by other applicants.
• Maximum Project Duration: 18 months.
• Industry Sponsorship: NOT mandatory.
• IP Rights Ownership: lead applicant.

Collaborative projects: receive matching funding support for the Collaborative R&D projects.

• Maximum Project Duration: 36 months.
• Industry Sponsorship: at least 50% of the total project cost.
• IP Rights Ownership: industry co-applicant if it contributes at least 50% of the total project cost.

ITSP (Platform & Seed): The lead applicant must be an R&D Centre or a designated local public research institute.

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

• ITSP (Platform & Seed) invites applications for funding once a year. Applications from R&D Centres will be accepted all year round.
• ITSP (Collaborative) invites applications for funding all year round.
• Applications must be submitted to the Innovation and Technology Fund Secretariat electronically through the Innovation and Technology Commission Funding Administrative System.