Hong Kong’s Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) last Monday opened the 2019 Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Cooperation Funding Scheme (TCFS) for applications.
Launched in 2004, the scheme provides funding to applied research and development projects in Guangdong and Hong Kong to enhance collaboration between the universities, research institutes and technology enterprises of the two places.
It was also establish to upgrade the technological level of the industry in the Greater Pearl River Delta region. The Shenzhen Municipal Government joined the Scheme in the following year.
Deadline for applications is September 13, 2019.
There are three categories of projects under the Guangdong-Hong Kong TCFS. The first category is funded by the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) of Hong Kong and is open to Hong Kong institutions.
The second category is funded by Mainland authorities and is open to Mainland institutions.
The third category is jointly funded by Guangdong and Hong Kong authorities or Shenzhen and Hong Kong authorities. Hong Kong and Mainland institutions can submit applications to the ITC and Mainland authorities respectively.
"There are 33 and 32 technology areas under the first and third categories respectively this year. The areas are relevant to the needs of the industry and will enhance economic development in the Greater Pearl River Delta region," a spokesman for the ITC said.
IoT projects welcome to seek funding
According to the Hong Kong-Guangdong TCFS guide, companies and research institutes that want to secure funding under the scheme must present projects that fall under key themes/topics identified by the ITC.
And Internet of Things (IoT)-related projects are among those that are listed under specific categories. Some of these key themes related to IoT are:
- Vehicle intelligent management, Internet of Vehicles (IOV) application and smart devices for automotive application; Advanced Vehicle to X technology; and, Autonomous driving technology development and smart control technology in controlled setting
- Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and applications for Guangdong-Hong Kong logistics and supply chain industries
- Sensor solution (lidar, radar, camera, etc.) for smart mobility; and High accuracy positioning solution
- Robotic solution for public area (shopping mall or park)
- Electronics: Innovative electronics technologies and products for medical and health-care, manufacturing automation and green energy, including but not restricted to biosensors, telemedicine systems, helpful devices and facilities for the aged and the disabled, man-machine interface, energy management, solid-state lighting, etc.
According to ITC, projects will be solicited, vetted and monitored by the following centres:
- Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute, designated as the R&D Centre for Information and Communications Technologies (ASTRI);
- Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre (LSCM);
- Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA); and
- Nano and Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI).
- For projects falling under the Automotive Parts and Accessory Systems R&D Centre (APAS), they will be solicited by APAS, processed by the ITC, vetted by the ITF Research Projects Assessment Panel, and monitored by APAS.
For more information about the funding scheme, visit the ITF website (www.itf.gov.hk).
