Government invites proposals for admission to third InnoHK research cluster
The Innovation and Technology Commission announced today (March 14) an invitation for proposals for admission to the third InnoHK research cluster, SEAM@InnoHK, focusing on sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing and materials. The global top echelon of universities/research institutions in the relevant fields are welcome to apply.
"InnoHK is a major innovation and technology initiative of the Government to develop Hong Kong as a hub for global research collaboration, with the aim to attract institutions that are among the global top echelon to collaborate with local universities/institutions to set up research centres/laboratories in Hong Kong. Following the setting up of the first two research clusters, namely Health@InnoHK, focusing on healthcare technology, and AIR@InnoHK, focusing on artificial intelligence and robotics technologies, the Government is now taking forward the establishment of the third InnoHK research cluster, SEAM@InnoHK, which will enable Hong Kong to move full steam ahead towards becoming a global research collaboration hub. It will not only facilitate top-notch universities, research institutes and the industries to collaborate in research and development (R&D) but also promote the translation of R&D outcomes into impactful, real-world applications and the development of relevant industries in Hong Kong," a spokesman of the Commission said.
The selected research centres/laboratories should conduct collaborative research that is innovative, world-class, of global relevance, and addressing real-world problems in collaboration with world-renowned non-local universities and research institutions. The final R&D deliverables are expected to achieve significant societal impact by bringing demonstrable contributions, beneficial effects, valuable changes or advantages both locally and globally. Collaboration between local universities/research institutions is also highly encouraged. Additionally, they are expected to build strong industry collaborations in their research area for the realisation and commercialisation of the R&D outcomes. The amount of subsidies to be recommended for each research centre/laboratory will depend on the merits of individual application proposals, which can be used to support operational costs, including remuneration for scholars and research teams during the subsidy period, purchase of equipment, R&D costs, and set-up costs, including fitting-out.
The deadline for application will be August 29, 2025, at 5pm. For enquiries in relation to the application for the third InnoHK research cluster, please contact the InnoHK Secretariat (Tel: (852) 3855 7671; email: innohk@itc.gov.hk).
SEE begins visit in Beijing
The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, began his visit in Beijing today (March 20).
Mr Tse visited the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in the morning and toured facilities such as the National Crop Genebank of China, greenhouse of the Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, and the scientific research greenhouse to learn about the country's latest agro-technology developments.
In the afternoon, Mr Tse paid a courtesy call on the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) and met with the Vice Minister of the GACC, Mr Zhao Zenglian, to continue deepening exchanges on various topics such as safeguarding food supply to Hong Kong, the facilitation arrangement for exporting Hong Kong-manufactured food products to the Mainland, as well as strengthening co-operation on food trade.
During the meeting, Mr Tse expressed gratitude to the GACC for its support in safeguarding food supply to Hong Kong and its assistance in the implementation of the facilitation arrangement for customs clearance. He said that the facilitation arrangement for customs clearance, which began in May last year, has been operating smoothly and significantly shortened the time required for customs clearance of Hong Kong-manufactured food products. It was well-received by Hong Kong food manufacturing industry. Both sides expressed the hope that the facilitation arrangement for customs clearance could be applied to more food categories in the future.
Afterwards, Mr Tse met with representatives from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China (MEE), the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, and the BRI International Green Development Coalition to exchange views on topics including co-operation in ecological and environmental field and combating climate change. He pointed out that with the strong support from the MEE, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government achieved great success at the China Pavilion's Side Event of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) last year and hopes to continue telling the good stories to the world about the country and the HKSAR Government's efforts in combatting climate change through the platform provided by the COP30 this year.
Mr Tse will continue his visit in Beijing tomorrow (March 21).
SEE begins visit in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SEE begins visit in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SEE begins visit in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SEE begins visit in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SEE begins visit in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SEE begins visit in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SEE begins visit in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
