Overview
The Research Impact Fund (RIF) objectives are: to encourage local academics to consider and articulate the potential of research to deliver benefits to the wider community; and to encourage more impactful and translational research projects; and to encourage a greater volume of collaborative research beyond academia (e.g. with government departments, the business sector, the industry and research institutes). Under the RIF exercise, mandatory matching funds are required from UGC-funded universities/organisational partner(s) for approved projects on a 70% (RGC)/30% (university/organisational partner(s)) basis. Every successful application can receive a funding amount of up to HK$ 10 million from the RGC. The potential 30% matching could be from university, the industry, non-governmental organisations, stakeholders or private donation. The project duration must span three to five years. On
Full job description
Full Job Description
The Research Impact Fund (RIF) objectives are:
-
to encourage local academics to consider and articulate the potential of research to deliver benefits to the wider community; and to encourage more impactful and translational research projects; and
-
to encourage a greater volume of collaborative research beyond academia (e.g. with government departments, the business sector, the industry and research institutes).
Under the RIF exercise, mandatory matching funds are required from UGC-funded universities/organisational partner(s) for approved projects on a 70% (RGC)/30% (university/organisational partner(s)) basis. Every successful application can receive a funding amount of up to HK$ 10 million from the RGC. The potential 30% matching could be from university, the industry, non-governmental organisations, stakeholders or private donation. The project duration must span three to five years.
Only academic staff members whose conditions of employment meet ALL the following requirements are eligible for application of RGC grants as Project Coordinator (PC):
-
having a full-time1 appointment in the university proper2 of a UGC-funded university;
-
having a Staff Grade of 'A' to 'I'3 as defined in the Common Data Collection Format (i.e. 'Professor' to 'Assistant Lecturer');
-
being primarily engaged in and spending at least 80% of time in degree or higher degree work4 at the university proper; and
-
salary being wholly funded5 by the university proper.
A visiting staff member can qualify if he/she possesses a full-time appointment in the university proper covering the entire project period. Staff members supported by research grants6 other than from the RGC are NOT eligible.
As a transitional measures, academic staff members engaged in non-degree programmes, which are still funded by the UGC, may also apply as the PC. Eligible staff in this category must be wholly funded by the General Funds of the universities concerned. This arrangement would continue until such time when the relevant programmes are no longer funded by the UGC. Exceptional cases (including circumstances not covered by the above rules) will be considered by the RGC on a case-by-case basis.
The assessment criteria are as follows:
-
academic merit; and
-
potential research impact.
Preliminary proposals should be submitted through the RGC Electronic System to the UGC Secretariat by 27 February 2026.
To view the call circular, please click here.
To download the application forms, please click here.
Tips for this job
Practical Job and Scholarship guidance. These tips do not replace official rules or create new eligibility requirements.
- Tailor the CV and application to the responsibilities and required skills stated on the official employer page.
- Use concrete evidence of relevant work, projects and measurable results rather than generic claims.
- Confirm location, work authorization, remote restrictions and sponsorship terms before applying.
- Apply through the original employer or official recruitment destination shown on this page.
Verification notes
Extracted from a public opportunity page using specific title, application/deadline, eligibility and benefit signals. Aggregator/news pages remain review-controlled unless an official provider page is successfully verified.
Job and Scholarship is the discovery and verification layer. Confirm eligibility, dates, salary/funding and application instructions on the original source before submitting anything.
Research Grants Council, University Grants Committee Opportunities ↗