All applications must be submitted via the electronic Grant Management System (eGMS) (https://rfs.healthbureau.gov.hk/eGMS) by completing the Electronic Application Form on or before the deadline of submission specified by the Research Fund Secretariat (the Secretariat).

Applicants should read the Standard Conditions of Grant in the Guidance Notes - Grant Application for Investigator-initiated Projects before submitting grant applications.  If your application is approved, the principal applicant and the institution are required to sign an Agreement covering the terms and conditions of the project.  You are strongly advised to read the terms and conditions under which funding is provided in addition to the rights and obligations of the signatories.

Call for applications will be issued three months prior to the closing deadline.  Applicants should comply with the standard forms when submitting grant applications.

Higher priority for funding will be given to proposals addressing each year’s thematic priorities. The track records of the project team as a whole will be carefully considered when assessing grant applications.  Principal applicants are advised to invite co-applicant(s) with the appropriate skills and experience to enable the proposed project to be conducted smoothly.

Essential documents for grant applications

1. Guidance Notes - Grant Application for Investigator-initiated Projects (PDF File 311K)
2. Explanatory Notes - Grant Application for Investigator-initiated Projects (PDF File 163K)
3. Electronic Application Form (e-Form): Available on eGMS
4. Proposal Template for Research Project (Section 13(a)-(h)) (Word File 35K)
5. Proposal Template for Health Promotion Project (Section 13(a)-(h)) (Word File 31K)
6. Sample Response Letter (For Resubmission) (Word File 15K)
7. Training Manuals for eGMS (PDF File 1,265K)

Principal applicants will receive an acknowledgement email from eGMS after successful submission of his/her application by Administering Institution to the Secretariat.  Applications will undergo two-tier peer review process and be assessed according to pre-set assessment criteria.  The Research Council will consider the assessment and make funding recommendations to the Health Bureau. Applicants will normally be informed within six months of the dealine of submission the results of their applications by email to applicants’ email addresses entered in Electronic Application Form via eGMS.  Principal applicants can also view the funding results and the comments from Grant Review Board / reviewers through the eGMS.  Potentially fundable grants will be given three weeks to address the comments from Grant Review Board / reviewers.  The principal applicants must resolve all outstanding issuses (e.g. budget clarification and ethics approval) before signing of agreement.  The final deadline for resolving all outstanding issues is one week before the closing date of the next Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF) open call.  Approval for new funding will not be granted if the principal applicant has not submitted outstanding/overdue reports/certified financial statement(s) and audited account(s)/outcome evaluation questionnaire for his/her other grants supported by the HMRF.