Support for SMEs

Research Talent Hub for ITF projects (RTH-ITF)
To provide funding support for organisations/companies undertaking research and development (R&D) projects funded by the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) to engage research talent to conduct R&D work.

Research Talent Hub for Incubatees and I&T Tenants of the HKSTPC and the Cyberport (RTH-SPC)
To provide incubatees and innovation and technology (I&T) tenants of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) and the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport) with funding support for the recruitment of research talents to conduct R&D work.

Research Talent Hub for Technology Companies Conducting R&D Activities in Hong Kong (RTH-TC)
To provide funding support for technology companies conducting or planning to conduct R&D activities in Hong Kong to engage research talents to conduct R&D work.

(Remarks: Research Talent Hub is a merger between the previous Researcher Programme and Postdoctoral Hub.)

RTH-ITF

• Each ITF project may engage up to 4 research talent at any one time.
• The maximum engagement period for each research talent is 36 months in general.
• The maximum monthly salary allowance is HKD20,000 for research talents with a bachelor degree, HKD23,000 for those with a master degree, and HKD35,000 for those with a doctoral degree.
• An additional monthly living allowance of HKD10,000 to research talents with a doctoral degree under the RTH for a maximum of 36 months.

RTH-SPC

• Each applicant company can engage up to 4 research talents at any one time.
• The maximum engagement period for each research talent under the Research Talent Hub is 36 months in general.
• The maximum monthly salary allowance is HKD20,000 for research talents with a bachelor degree, HKD23,000 for those with a master degree, and HKD35,000 for those with a doctoral degree.
• An additional monthly living allowance of HKD10,000 will be provided to research talents participating in the RTH-SPC with doctoral degrees.

RTH-TC

• An applicant company can engage up to 4 research talents at any one time.
• The maximum engagement period for each research talent under the Research Talent Hub is 36 months in general.
• The maximum monthly salary allowance is HKD20,000 for research talents with a bachelor degree, HKD23,000 for those with a master degree, and HKD35,000 for those with a doctoral degree.
• An additional monthly living allowance of HKD10,000 will be provided to research talents participating in the RTH-TC with doctoral degrees.

RTH-ITF
 • Applicant Organisation / Company
All organisations/companies undertaking R&D projects funded by the ITF.

 • Research Talent
1. must be legally permitted to work in Hong Kong;
2. must possess a bachelor／master ／doctoral degree awarded by either a local university or a well-recognised non-local institution, or jointly awarded by a local university together with a non-local university. The degree obtained should be in a science, technology, engineering and mathematics ("STEM") related discipline.

RTH-SPC
 • Applicant Company
Incubatees and I&T tenants of the HKSTPC and the Cyberport

 • Research Talent
1. must be a Hong Kong permanent resident or person legally permitted to work in Hong Kong during the RTH-SPC engagement period; and
2. must possess a bachelor degree (including top-up bachelor degree), a master degree or a doctoral degree of a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ("STEM")-related discipline awarded by either a local university or a well-recognised non-local institution#, or jointly awarded by a local university together with a non-local university.

RTH-TC
 • Applicant Company
1. conducting or planning to conduct R&D activities in Hong Kong;
2. has substantive business operations in Hong Kong at the time of application;
3. registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap.310) or incorporated in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Cap.622); and
4. not a government subvented organisation or a subsidiary of any government subvented organisation.

 • Research Talent
1. must be legally permitted to work in Hong Kong during the RTH-TC engagement period;
2. must possess a bachelor／master／doctoral degree awarded by either a local university or a well-recognised non-local institution, or jointly awarded by a local university together with a non-local university. The degree obtained should be in a science, technology, engineering and mathematics ("STEM") related discipline.

 • R&D Activities
For the purpose of the RTH-TC, an R&D activity means
1. an activity in the fields of natural or applied science to extend knowledge;
2. an original and planned investigation carried on with the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge and understanding; or
3. the application of research findings or other knowledge to a plan or design for producing or introducing new or substantially improved materials, devices, products, processes, systems or services before they are commercially produced or used.
In general, an R&D activity takes place when a project seeks to achieve an advance in science or technology. Any activity which does not directly contribute to achieving this advance in science or technology through the resolution of scientific or technological uncertainty is not an R&D activity.

RTH-ITF, RTH-SPC and RTH-TC are open for application all year round. Applications should be submitted through the Innovation and Technology Commission Funding Administrative System.