Research Grants Council announces funding results of Areas of Excellence Scheme and Theme-based Research Scheme 2026/27
The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
The Research Grants Council (RGC) announced today (July 29) the funding results of the Areas of Excellence (AoE) Scheme 2026/27 (14th Round) and the Theme-based Research Scheme (TRS) 2026/27 (16th Round), with a record-breaking total of 12 supported projects. Altogether, they received a total funding amount of around $478 million.
Four projects under the AoE Scheme received funding from the RGC totalling $158 million, representing an increase of nearly 10 per cent compared to that of last year. Following a rigorous peer-review process based on academic and scientific merits, the RGC will support three outstanding five-year projects in medical imaging technology, smart manufacturing, and neutron scattering, as well as a one-year exploratory project on sustainable wildlife trade to yield preliminary results.
Concurrently, the RGC allocated $320 million to fund eight TRS projects of strategic importance to Hong Kong's long-term development, comprising seven five-year research proposals and a one-year exploratory project. These initiatives cover the fields of healthcare, green technology and AI. The lists of the awarded projects are set out in Annexes I and II.
The Chairman of the RGC, Professor Timothy W. Tong, said, "While maintaining an overall stable budget, the RGC has successfully extended its support for more basic research projects that are conducive to Hong Kong's long-term development this year. These projects are not merely academic pursuits, but also serve as the engines to drive Hong Kong's future economic transformation, addressing critical societal needs in such sectors as medical imaging technology, sustainable energy, disaster prevention, and business risk management.
"This year's successful proposals fully demonstrate the RGC's proactive approach to aligning with national development strategies, particularly its strong emphasis on AI, smart manufacturing, and advanced materials. These initiatives also contribute to Hong Kong's strategy of driving new industrialisation and fostering tech-driven economic development. With over one-third of this year's selected proposals involving AI applications, it is clear that our researchers have a remarkable ability to transform cutting-edge academic research into practical industry solutions.
"By fostering a dynamic basic research ecosystem in Hong Kong and leveraging the unique strengths of our universities to drive transformative, world-class research, the RGC remains dedicated to consolidating Hong Kong's leading position in global higher education and technological innovation," said Professor Tong.
To ensure that the city's scholarly researches remain closely aligned with national priorities and government policies, the RGC has also introduced "Low Altitude, Aerospace, and Space Technologies" as a new grand challenge topic under the TRS starting from the 2027/28 (17th Round) funding exercise which commenced in mid-July 2026.
Professor Tong expressed his profound gratitude to the panel experts for their valuable contributions throughout the assessment process, as well as local researchers for their continued support for the AoE Scheme, the TRS, and the RGC's work.
Details of the approved projects for the 2026/27 exercise are available on the RGC website (AoE Scheme: www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/aoe/funded_research/aoe14.html and TRS: www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/trs/funded_research/trs16.html) for reference. A call for proposals for the AoE Scheme and the TRS 2027/28 has been issued on July 24.
The Research Grants Council (RGC) announced today (July 29) the funding results of the Areas of Excellence Scheme 2026/27 (14th Round) and the Theme-based Research Scheme 2026/27 (16th Round). Photo shows the Chairman of the RGC, Professor Timothy W. Tong (front row, seventh right); the Secretary-General of the University Grants Committee, Professor James Tang (front row, seventh left); and representatives of the funded project teams. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Research Grants Council (RGC) announced today (July 29) the funding results of the Areas of Excellence Scheme 2026/27 (14th Round) and the Theme-based Research Scheme 2026/27 (16th Round). Photo shows the Chairman of the RGC, Professor Timothy W. Tong, delivering the opening remarks at the press conference. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Korea's long-running music theatre production "The Little Musician" sets off on adventure to save the frozen world
The International Arts Carnival (IAC), a summer arts festival organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will present the music theatre production "The Little Musician" from August 7 to 9. Performed by Korea's GRANDIS Theatre and inspired by the theme of saving the frozen world, this uplifting show features lively acting, creative props and joyful live singing, taking audiences of all ages on a fantastical journey to find the sun and save the Earth.
"The Little Musician" was selected at the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe as one of the top three popular children's performances, and has captivated audiences in the United Kingdom, the Chinese Mainland, Uzbekistan and beyond. The long-running show has remained a favourite in Korea for a decade. The upcoming Hong Kong performances are upgraded with enhanced musical arrangements, lighting design and stage settings compared to the original production.
The story follows the mysterious disappearance of the sun, plunging the Earth into darkness and extreme cold, gradually freezing humanity into ice. The main character, Mobichi, is determined to restore the sunlight. With her beloved recorder in hand, she sets off on a journey alongside her polar bear friend Kuku, meeting quirky new companions along the way. With the power of music, they sing and play instruments to overcome numerous challenges and gradually thaw the frozen world. However, just as hope seems within reach, a fierce snowstorm strikes and takes the sunlight away once again.
The performers use superb vocal skills together with simple props to imitate animal sounds and everyday sound effects, creating a stage full of imagination. Bubble wrap becomes a frozen lake, inflatable plastic bags transform into ice blocks, and wooden boards turn into a glowing sun, showcasing boundless creativity. The beloved show is suitable for families, enabling audiences to rediscover the joy of play and imagination, while conveying a message of unity and hope.
The music theatre production "The Little Musician" will be held at 7.30pm on August 7 and 8, and 3pm on August 9 at the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre. Tickets priced at $280 and $340 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288, or use the mobile ticketing app "URBTIX". The programme will be performed in English with Chinese and English surtitles.
This year's IAC is presenting over 100 performances and related activities in July and August, bringing together artists from overseas, the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong for an exciting lineup of interactive, inspiring and family-friendly programmes, including acrobatics, dance, music, theatre and multimedia. There are also film screenings, library activities, parent-child workshops, an online programme and exhibitions.
For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.hkiac.gov.hk.
The music theatre production "The Little Musician" will be held from August 7 to 9 at the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre. The show has remained a favourite in Korea for a decade. The upcoming Hong Kong performances are upgraded with enhanced musical arrangements, lighting design and stage settings compared to the original production. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The music theatre production "The Little Musician" will be held from August 7 to 9 at the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre. The show was selected at the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe as one of the top three popular children's performances. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The music theatre production "The Little Musician" will be held from August 7 to 9 at the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre. The performers use superb vocal skills together with simple props to imitate animal sounds and everyday sound effects, creating a stage full of imagination. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The music theatre production "The Little Musician" will be held from August 7 to 9 at the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre. The show features lively acting, creative props and joyful live singing, taking audiences of all ages on a fantastical journey to find the sun and save the Earth. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The International Arts Carnival, a summer arts festival organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will present the music theatre production "The Little Musician" from August 7 to 9. Performed by Korea's GRANDIS Theatre and inspired by the theme of saving the frozen world, the show is suitable for families, enabling audiences to rediscover the joy of imagination and play, while conveying a message of unity and hope. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
