Funding Support & Incubation Program
- Details
- Category: Funding Support & Incubation Program
What is Knowledge Transfer Impact Project Fund (KT-IPF)?
As part of a strategic restructuring of CUHK’s internal funding portfolio, the Knowledge Transfer Project Fund (KPF) has now concluded and will be succeeded by new initiative — the Knowledge Transfer Impact Project Fund (KT-IPF). The KT-IPF supports research-based, late-prototype projects with strong social innovation potential, aiming to transform academic knowledge into real-world solutions that create positive social impact and address pressing community needs.
Eligibility
- Project Leader and Co-Leader(s) should be full-time CUHK staff on professoriate or research academic ranks. Other teaching staff will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All CUHK staff, students and non-CUHK members may join as team members.
- CUHK-affiliated ventures incorporated for more than 3 years
Funding Amount
Up to HK$200,000 for 1 year
Assessment Criteria
- Impact in response to the social needs and immediate benefits to target beneficiaries - 30%
- Potential to engage wider audience or strengthen the community’s capacity to address social issues - 20%
- Relevancy to the research outputs -20%
- Innovativeness (i.e. new approach, procedure or method to address existing problem) – 15%
- Potential sustainability after the KT-IPF fund – 10%
- Performance of Prototyping – 5%
Important dates
15th Sept 2025 – Call for Proposals
24th Sept 2025 – Information Session
14th Nov 2025 – Submission Deadline
Mid-Mar 2026 – Results Announcement
1st Apr 2026 – Project Commencement
Previous funded impact projects
Apply Here
- Details
- Category: Funding Support & Incubation Program
What is Knowledge Transfer Venture Impact Fund (KT-VIF)?
As part of a strategic restructuring of CUHK’s internal funding portfolio, the Sustainable Knowledge Transfer Project Fund (S-KPF) has now concluded and will be succeeded by new initiative — the Knowledge Transfer Venture Impact Fund (KT-VIF). The KT-VIF supports CUHK academics-led ventures that turn applied research into sustainable, scalable solutions with clear social impact, fostering innovation-driven enterprises that address societal challenges through evidence-based and impactful approaches.
Eligibility
Project Leader and Co-Leader(s) should be full-time CUHK staff on professoriate or research academic ranks. Other teaching staff will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All CUHK staff, students and non-CUHK members may join as team members.
Funding Amount
Up to HK$300,000 for 2 years
Support
- Business development consultancy
- Publicity and media engagement support
- Partnership liaison
Assessment Criteria
- Social impact of the proposed business – 30%
- Relevance to underpinning research and innovativeness – 20%
- Viability and business readiness (e.g. business model, product-market fit) – 20%
- Project Management, Governance & Team Capability – 20%
- Potential to attract investment (for company limited by shares) or funding from private foundation or government (for company limited by guarantee) – 10%
Important dates
15th Sept 2025 – Call for Proposals
24th Sept 2025 – Information Session
14th Nov 2025 – Submission Deadline
Mid-Mar 2026 – Results Announcement
1st Apr 2026 – Project Commencement
Apply Here
- Details
- Category: Funding Support & Incubation Program
To inspire and support CUHK researchers in translating their knowledge and technologies into tangible societal impact, the IdeaBooster Fund is now calling for applications. Successful applicants may receive funding ranging from HK$100,000 to 200,000 per project in 2025-26.
1.Major Objectives
The Fund has four major objectives:
i) To support the development of early-stage ideas into a variety of impactful translational projects;
ii) To promote and cultivate an innovative culture across campus, stimulating a problem-driven innovation mindset within the CUHK community, for research and knowledge transfer initiatives;
iii) To encourage CUHK researchers to accelerate the transition from discovery research to goal-oriented translational projects which address a clear unmet market need;
iv) To inspire and encourage CUHK researchers to gain direct knowledge and insight from societal/industry needs, and to address critical social issues through interdisciplinary solutions, thereby creating tangible societal impact.
2. Eligibility Requirements
i) Full-time academic staff members at Assistant Professor rank or Research Assistant Professor rank or above are eligible to apply for the Fund as Project Leader.
ii) Individuals who fulfill the following criteria may also apply for the Fund as Project Leader with an endorsement from their Department Chairperson, Unit Head, or Project Supervisor.
- Full-time CUHK teaching staff with a Postgraduate degree (or equivalent qualification) in any disciplines on the rank of Lecturer or above; or
- Full-time CUHK research staff with a Postgraduate degree (or equivalent qualification) in any disciplines above the rank of Research Assistant (e.g. Postdoctoral Fellow / Research Associate / Research Officer / Research Fellow); or
- Full-time CUHK Postgraduate student (Research Programmes) in any disciplines will be considered on a case-by-case basis. *If the applicant was shortlisted for the IdeaBooster Fund, they must have a full-time staff member at the assistant professor grade or above as the applicant's supervisor and the project account funding holder.
3. Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be reviewed and rated according to the following criteria:
i) 40% - Innovativeness and Creativity;
ii) 25% - Implemetnation Feasibility
iii) 25% - Potential for Impact
iv) 10% - Commercialization and Market Feasibility
4. Application Procedures
Applications should be duly endorsed and submitted via the online application portal (https://orkts-cuhk.grantplatform.com/), on or before the application deadline. Late and/or incomplete submissions will not be considered.
5. Info Session
Date: 11 April 2025 (Friday)
Time: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Format: Virtual (Zoom)
PPT for the IdeaBooster Fund 25-26 info session
[IMPORTANT] Application Deadline: 30 April 2025 (Wednesday) HKT 17:00
Sample of a completed application form of IdeaBooster Fund
Please refer to the IdeaBooster_Fund_2025-26_Application_Guidelines.pdf for more details. Should you have further queries, please contact the Venture Acceleration Team (