Funding results of Theme-based Research Scheme 2019/20 announced

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
 
     The Research Grants Council (RGC) announced today (July 17) the funding results of the Theme-based Research Scheme (TRS) 2019/20 (Ninth Round). Five proposals were awarded total funding of $224 million, of which $200 million will be provided by the RGC and $24 million will be matched by the universities concerned. The list of awarded projects is set out in the Annex.
 
     The Chairman of the RGC, Professor Benjamin Wah, said, "I am delighted to announce the successful completion of the TRS 2019/20. After a series of vigorous peer reviews, five outstanding projects have been selected for funding. One of the funded projects falls under 'Artificial Intelligence', the new grand challenge topic that has been first introduced in this round of the exercise. These five projects cover the areas of influenza control, liver transplantation, wastewater treatment and recycling, firefighting and neurocognitive disorders diagnoses. We look forward to the positive societal and economic impacts brought about by these projects to the future development of Hong Kong."
 
     Professor Wah added, "With the forthcoming government injection of $20 billion to the Research Endowment Fund, the RGC has decided to increase the budget of the TRS by about 10 per cent, from $180 million to $200 million, for the 2019/20 exercise to meet the expectation of researchers." He expressed gratitude to the panel members and international experts for their valuable time in providing peer reviews for the proposals, and to the local research community for its continued support for the TRS.
 
     Details of the approved projects have been posted on the RGC website (www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funded_research/layman/theme/trs9.html) for reference.