Open call for funding applications for investigator-initiated research projects and health promotion projects under HMRF begins
The Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF) administered by the Health Bureau invites funding applications for investigator-initiated research projects and health promotion projects from today (December 18) onwards. Applications from locally based tertiary institutions, hospitals, medical schools, non-governmental organisations or other appropriate centres, units and service providers are invited.
The HMRF aims to build research capacity and to encourage, facilitate and support health and medical research to inform health policies, improve population health, strengthen the healthcare system, enhance healthcare practices, advance standard and quality of care, and promote clinical excellence, through generation and application of evidence-based scientific knowledge derived from local research in health and medicine. It also provides funding support to evidence-based health promotion projects that help people adopt healthier lifestyles by enhancing awareness, changing adverse health behaviours and creating a conducive environment that supports good health practices.
The HMRF emphasises the importance of the translational potential of research findings, and therefore supports applications for the following research projects:
1. clinical research (including patient-oriented research, epidemiological and behavioural studies, outcomes research and health services research);
2. infectious diseases research with public health implications from bench to bedside and at the community level, and with translational value; and
3. clinical research based on Chinese medicine theory or clinical research on Chinese medicine theory and methodology.
Applications in the following areas will be accepted for consideration by the HMRF:
1. public health, human health and health services (e.g. primary healthcare, non-communicable diseases, Chinese medicine);
2. prevention, treatment and control of infectious diseases with public health implications;
3. advanced medical research which applies advanced technologies to facilitate the translation of knowledge generated from health and health services or infectious disease studies into clinical practice and to inform health policy; and
4. health promotion that facilitates mobilisation of local resources to promote good health and prevention of illness in the community.
Higher priority for funding will be given to proposals addressing this year's thematic priorities, which are infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases excluding cancers, cancers, primary healthcare and preventive care, digital health and advanced technology as well as clinical trials and implementation science.
The grant ceiling is $1.5 million per project with a grant duration not exceeding three years. As for larger-scale pilot studies such as those evaluating trialability and scalability for future implementation, or small-scale research with achievable objectives, submissions can be made to apply for a seed grant which has a grant ceiling of $500,000 per project.
Only one application from each principal applicant is allowed; either a new submission or a resubmission of an application. The principal applicant shall be employed by an administering institution which is based in Hong Kong at the time of application and throughout the project period.
Applications will be subject to a two-tier peer review. The vetting will take into account scientific merit, local relevance, translational potential or value of the proposals, sustainability of health promotion projects, capacity of the administering institutions, the track record of applicants, value for money of the proposals and research ethics, where applicable.
Completed electronic application forms should be submitted via the electronic Grant Management System (eGMS) on or before 6pm on March 31, 2026 (Hong Kong time). Briefing sessions on grant applications, to be held in January 2026, are now open for registration.
Details are now available on the website of the Research Fund Secretariat. Enquiries can be made by e-mail to rfs@healthbureau.gov.hk.
Source: AI-found images
Government releases Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint (with photos/video)
The Government released the first Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint of Hong Kong today (December 18), outlining the vision of Chinese medicine (CM) development in Hong Kong - inheriting the wisdom of CM, leveraging the motherland's development experience and resources, and utilising CM to provide Hong Kong citizens with higher quality and more comprehensive healthcare services for better health outcomes, while establishing Hong Kong as a bridgehead for the global expansion of CM.
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, "CM is an integral part of Hong Kong's healthcare system that has long been trusted and used by the citizens. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been committed to promoting CM development over the years, and the Blueprint is the first policy document published by the Government specifically dedicated to the development of CM in Hong Kong. The formulation of the Blueprint aligns with national CM development overall strategies, and fully considers the institutional advantages of the 'one country, two systems' principle and the CM system, with a view to promoting Hong Kong's better integration into the construction of the CM highlands in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the overall national development of CM.
"Leveraging on the country's robust capability in CM, Hong Kong also takes its advantages in its internationalised healthcare system, regulatory system, standard setting and clinical research, and more. The HKSAR Government will continue to work closely and actively with the CM sector to promote CM development, aiming to implement the recommendations as set out in the Blueprint in an orderly manner to provide comprehensive and quality CM services to the public. The Government will also leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages of enjoying strong support from the motherland and being closely connected to the world, with a view to assisting the national drive for CM to go global.
"This year marks a significant milestone for CM development in Hong Kong. The 7th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Conference on the Inheritance, Innovation, and Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine was held in Hong Kong on December 2, and The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong and the permanent premises of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) also commenced services last Thursday (December 11), which received a positive public response. Building on the existing foundation of CM development, the release of the Blueprint today enables us to look to the future and formulate a comprehensive plan to further promote the comprehensive, high-quality and high-standard development of CM."
The Blueprint sets out short, medium and long-term goals and action plans across key areas, covering five key domains and proposing eight goals and 20 actions, with details as follows:
(1) CM Services
Goal 1: Enhancing Clinical Services Excellence
1. Defining the role of CM services within the healthcare system
2. Improving the quality and clinical effectiveness of CM services
3. Upgrading CM services through technological empowerment
Goal 2: Establishing an Interprofessional Service System
4. Deepening interprofessional collaboration mechanisms for CM services
5. Integrating into the healthcare system fully and fostering cross-institutional collaboration
6. Strengthening the role of CM in primary healthcare
(2) CM Profession
Goal 3: Leading CM Professional Development
7. Elevating the competence standard of the CM profession
8. Building a more comprehensive CM talent cultivation system
9. Empowering the sector to continuously advance CM professional development
(3) Chinese Medicines (CMs) Development
Goal 4: Enhancing CMs Quality and Standard
10. Strengthening quality management of CMs
11. Implementing good manufacturing practice (GMP) for proprietary CMs fully
Goal 5: Contributing to the Establishment of International Standard for CMs
12. Leveraging the GCMTI to establish standard for CMs
13. Deepening collaboration between the GCMTI and institutions in the Mainland and the GBA
Goal 6: Driving CM Innovation in Research and Industry
14. Promoting innovation of CMs and clinical trials
15. Empowering the industry to cultivate talent in CMs
(4) Cultural Inheritance
Goal 7: Promoting Culture of CM
16. Disseminating knowledge on the appropriate selection of CM for disease prevention and treatment
17. Fostering cross-sectoral collaboration to enhance cultural confidence in CM
(5) Go Global
Goal 8: Facilitating the "Go Global" of CM
18. Promoting Hong Kong's CM service model and international co-operation globally
19. Facilitating the international application of CMs standard and testing technologies
20. Establishing an international hub for CM information exchange and innovation
Professor Lo thanked the Chinese Medicine Development Committee, its Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint Subcommittee, CM sector and stakeholders from relevant sectors, for their valuable advice provided during the formulation of the Blueprint.
The Chinese Medicine Unit of the Health Bureau (HHB) has been maintaining close liaison with local, Mainland and international stakeholders through various platforms and means, including engaging in nearly 400 activities, meetings and exchange sessions, to conduct stakeholder consultation for the formulation of the Blueprint.
Full text and pamphlet of the Blueprint are available at the HHB's thematic website (www.healthbureau.gov.hk/CMDevBlueprint).
Government releases Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government releases Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
