About the Innovation and Technology Fund

The Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF), administered by the Innovation and Technology Commission, aims to increase the added value, productivity and competitiveness of our economic activities. The Government hopes that, through the ITF, Hong Kong companies could be encouraged and assisted to upgrade their technological level and introduce innovative ideas to their businesses.

There are different programmes under the ITF, providing funding support aiming at:

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Supporting Research & Development

Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP)

Supports Platform and Seed projects by R&D Centres, universities or other designated local public research institutes
Supports theme-based mid-stream researches by University Grants Committee-funded universities

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Mainland-Hong Kong Joint Funding Scheme (MHKJFS)

Encourages R&D collaboration between Hong Kong and the Mainland
R&D work must be conducted in both places
Platform projects: industry sponsorship of at least 10% of project cost; Collaborative projects: industry co-applicant sponsors at least 50% of project cost and owns project IP

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Guangdong - Hong Kong Technology Cooperation Funding Scheme (TCFS)

Encourages R&D collaboration between Hong Kong and Guangdong/Shenzhen
Category A: projects funded solely by Hong Kong; Category C: projects funded jointly by Hong Kong and Guangdong/Shenzhen
Platform projects: industry sponsorship of at least 10% of project cost; Collaborative projects: industry co-applicant sponsors at least 50% of project cost and owns project IP

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Partnership Research Programme (PRP)

Supports applied R&D projects undertaken by R&D Centres, universities or other designated local public research institutes in collaboration with a private company
Industry co-applicant sponsors at least 50% of project cost and owns project IP

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Enterprise Support Scheme (ESS)

For enterprises that are incorporated in Hong Kong and have a current business registration certificate
Funds provided on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis
Applicant owns project IP rights

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R&D Cash Rebate Scheme (CRS)

Provides a cash rebate equivalent to 40% of a company"s contribution to applied R&D projects funded by the ITF and R&D projects funded entirely by the company and undertaken by designated local public research institute

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Facilitating Technology Adoption

Public Sector Trial Scheme (PSTS)

Funds production of prototypes/samples and conducting of trials in the public sector

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Technology Voucher Programme (TVP)

Supports the use of technological services and solutions by enterprises and statutory bodies to improve productivity, or upgrade or transform business processes

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Innovation and Technology Fund for Better Living (FBL)

Funds innovation and technology ("I&T") projects which will make people's daily living more convenient, comfortable and safer, or address the needs of specific community groups

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Promoting New Industrialisation and Developing New Quality Productive Force

New Industrialisation Funding Scheme (NIFS)

New Industrialisation Funding Scheme (NIFS)
(formerly known as Re-industrilisation Funding Scheme (RFS))

Subsidises manufacturers to set up new smart production lines in Hong Kong

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New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme (NIAS)

Provide funding support for enterprises engaging in industries of strategic importance (i.e. life and health technology, artificial intelligence and data science as well as advanced manufacturing and new energy technologies) to set up new smart production facilities in Hong Kong

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Nurturing Technology Talent

Research Talent Hub (RTH)

Funds engagement of I&T talent to conduct R&D work

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New Industrialisation and Technology Training Programme (NITTP)

Funds staff of local enterprises to receive training in advanced technologies, especially those related to "New Industrialisation"

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STEM Internship Scheme

Subsidises undergraduates and postgraduates taking STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programmes in local universities to enrol in short-term innovation and technology related internships

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Supporting Technology Start-ups

Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU) Supporting Technology Start-ups

Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU)

Supports teams of local universities to start technology businesses and commercialise their R&D results

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Innovation and Technology Venture Fund (ITVF)

Encourages private investment in eligible local I&T start-ups
Co-investment scheme with venture capital funds selected as Co-investment Partners (CPs)
Matching investment ratio between ITVF and CP of approximately 1:2

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Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme (RAISe+)

Supports local universities in transforming R&D outcomes and incentivise collaboration among industry, academic and research sectors to accelerate transformation and commercialisation of R&D outcomes

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Fostering an I&T Culture

General Support Programme (GSP)

Supports non-R&D projects that help upgrade local industries and promote an I&T culture in Hong Kong, including conferences, exhibitions, seminars, workshops, youth activities, etc.

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Patent Application Grant (PAG)

Encourages capitalisation of intellectual work through patent registration
For locally incorporated companies or Hong Kong permanent residents who are first time patent seekers
For inventions with technology elements and potential for industrial application

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