Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP) - Collaborative

is designed to support applied research and development (R&D) projects that foster collaboration between R&D Centres or designated local public research institutes and industry partners.

Objectives:

• Support applied R&D projects with a view to transferring results to local industries.
• Promote collaboration between research institutions and companies to enhance innovation and technology development.

Target Beneficiaries:

• Lead applicants must be R&D Centres or designated local public research institutes.
• Industry co-applicants must be companies incorporated in Hong Kong or established industry support organizations, trade associations, or professional bodies with legal contract capacity.

Key Features:

• Supports platform, seed, and collaborative R&D projects.
• Collaborative projects receive matching funding.
• Maximum project duration for collaborative projects is 36 months.
• Industry sponsorship must be at least 50% of the total project cost for collaborative projects.
• Intellectual Property (IP) rights ownership belongs to the industry co-applicant if it contributes at least 50% of the project cost; otherwise, IP rights belong to the lead applicant.

Application Process:

• ITSP (Collaborative) accepts applications all year round.
• Applicants must register their organization and personnel with the Innovation and Technology Commission Funding Administrative System.
• Detailed guides and sample application forms are provided on the official website.
• Applications undergo preliminary screening and may be subject to external review.
• Assessment is conducted by the ITF Secretariat and the Innovation and Technology Fund Research Projects Assessment Panel.

Additional Notes:

• Majority of R&D work should be conducted in Hong Kong; up to 50% can be done in Mainland China.
• Industry sponsors may benefit from early access to results and favorable licensing terms.
• Contact details and comprehensive guidelines are available on the official ITF website.