The Chief Executive's Policy Unit (CEPU) announced today (December 29) the results of the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (SPPRFS) 2023-24.
The SPPRFS is a government-financed funding scheme dedicated to supporting evidence-based local public policy research by higher education institutions and think tanks in Hong Kong. It aims to support longer-term public policy research on strategic themes and research areas identified by the Government, build up research capacity and facilitate collaboration among institutions/think tanks. The CEPU is its Secretariat. As the Government's internal research unit, the CEPU is set up to enhance the Government's capabilities in research and advocacy on long-term and strategic issues. One of its tasks is to build up an external policy research capacity through measures including administering the SPPRFS. This will be conducive to the achievement of the CEPU's objectives, including to advocate for and assist in the formulation of long-term and strategic policies from a forward-thinking perspective; to keep abreast of national development and analyse and suggest areas of significance in the integration into national development; to examine international relations and situations, and analyse opportunities and risks; and to grasp the sentiments of Hong Kong citizens to understand the general direction and focus of their concerns.
A total of 32 applications, covering the strategic themes identified by the Government, were received under the SPPRFS 2023-24. On the advice of the Assessment Panel, the CEPU has supported two projects with total funding of about $7.2 million. One of the projects seeks to establish a policy framework for cross-regional co-operation strategies for the construction industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, while the other focuses on maximising the use of hydrogen in the transport sector in Hong Kong.
Applications to the SPPRFS are invited once a year in general and assessed by the Assessment Panel which comprises scholars with ample experience. Applications must be made under the specified strategic themes and in line with the specified research areas. Research quality and the strategic relevance of the proposal to the public policy development needs of Hong Kong are the principal criteria of assessment. The Assessment Panel will also take into account comments of outside reviewers who are experienced scholars and experts during the assessment process, and suggestions and views of relevant government bureaux/departments. A declaration of interests system is in place to ensure that the assessments are fair and impartial.
Details of the funded projects have been uploaded to the CEPU's website (www.cepu.gov.hk/en/PRFS/sppr-granted.html).
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