Background

 

The Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS) and the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (SPPRFS) are government-funded initiatives in Hong Kong dedicated to supporting evidence-based public policy research by universities and think tanks. Administered by the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit (CEPU), these schemes aim to facilitate public policy discussion and knowledge transfer of research findings, as well as nurturing the talents required.

 

Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (SPPRFS)

• Applications accepted once a year

• Longer research duration, 1-5 years

• Funding cap: HK$5 million

• Target strategic themes and research areas identified by the Government

Six strategic themes of 2025 – 26:

1. Development Opportunities from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area 
   (including strategies for scaling up medical collaboration in the GBA)

2. New Quality Productive Forces,
   (including strategies for developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub, including manpower training and biomedical technology innovation and development)

3. Integrated Development of Education, Technology and Talents 

4. International Financial, Shipping and Trade Centre 

5. Integrated Development of Culture, Sports and Tourism 

6. Elderly and Healthcare Services 

 

For the specified research areas, please refer to the SPPRFS themes on CEPU’s website.

 

Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS)

• Applications accepted throughout the year

• Open topics with 16 indicative research areas (see more)

• Shorter research duration, usually 12 months or less

• Funding amount: usually HK$1 million or less

 

Understanding Government’s plans, priorities, and policies

Explore the policy documents for insights, such as:

• Policy Address and Policy Address Supplement

• Policy Agenda

• Budget Speech

 

Understanding policy processes

• Different stages of policy-making require various types of evidence and data.

• Knowledge translation research is essential to bridge the gap between research findings and their practical application by healthcare providers and policymakers.

• Promoting the uptake of research findings ensures policies are informed by evidence and effectively implemented.

• Research methodologies can include surveys, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or mixed methods, according to the research objectives.

• The cyclical policy-making process in brief for illustration purposes:

 

 

 

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References:
1. Friedman, R. M. (2003). A conceptual framework for developing and implementing effective policy in children's mental health. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 11(1), 11-18. https://doi.org/10.1177/106342660301100103
2. The Texas Politics Project. (n.d.). A diagram of the policy making process.  https://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/archive/html/bur/features/0303_01/policy.html

 

Stages of Policy Development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference:

Curran, J. A., Grimshaw, J. M., Hayden, J. A., & Campbell, B. (2011). Knowledge translation research: the science of moving research into policy and practice. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 31(3), 174-180. https://doi.org/10.1002/chp.20124

 

Assessment process of PPRFS & SPPRFS

Proposals would undergo three layers of assessment:

• Views from Government bureaux/ departments

• Comments from experienced academics and professional experts (non-Panel reviewers)

• Comments from CEPU internal assessment panel members 

Assessment criteria

• Focus on Research quality and relevance to public policy needs

1. Reasonable research

2. Research team’s capability/ track record

3. Cost-effectiveness

4. Research findings be effectively translated into practicable policy recommendations

Further highlights

• Applicants are advised to submit succinct proposals to facilitate the assessors’ review.

• Researchers are encouraged to communicate with relevant bureaus and departments to understand their needs and preferences prior to the application submission.  The Secretariat of PPRFS and SPPRFS could assist in connecting researchers with relevant authorities. 

• Bureaus could provide valuable insights; nevertheless, CEPU balances the needs of society and preferences of bureaus and departments.

• Researchers might consider dividing their projects with long-term projects with substantial funding needs into stages and apply for PPRFS, which is less time-restrained.  This also helps align projects with policy directions as timeliness is crucial.

• The Secretariat would arrange kick-off meetings, interim meetings and concluding workshops with relevant officials to help the research projects to align with the policy needs.  Annual seminars will also be organised for disseminate the findings to a wider audience.  

 

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HKU Colleagues who are interested in applying for the funding should read the instructions and
observe internal timeline from the announcement by University Research Services (RS):

https://intraweb.hku.hk/local/rss/ppr/call.htm