Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP)
(Platform & Seed)

Objective
Launched in November 1999, ITSP (Platform & Seed) aims to support applied research and development (R&D) projects undertaken by R&D Centres1 or designated local public research institutes2 with a view to transferring the R&D results to local industries.
Eligibility
The lead applicant must be an R&D Centre1 or a designated local public research institute2.
Key Features
- Support platform R&D projects and seed projects.
- Platform projects: industry-oriented applied R&D projects with potential for commercialisation.
- Maximum Project Duration: 24 months.
- Industry Sponsorship: at least 10% of the total project cost.
- Seed projects: exploratory and forward-looking in nature.
- Maximum Funding Support: HK$2.8 million undertaken by R&D Centres1; HK$1.4 million undertaken by other applicants.
- Maximum Project Duration: 18 months.
- Industry Sponsorship: NOT mandatory.
- Intellectual Property (IP) Rights Ownership: lead applicant.
Application
ITSP (Platform & Seed) invites applications for funding once a year. The application period in 2024/25 is 25 November 2024 to 28 February 2025. Applications from R&D Centres1 will be accepted all year round. Please read the following documents before submitting an application:
- Guide to Filling in the ITSP (Platform & Seed) Application Forms
- Sample of a Completed Application Form (for platform projects)
- Funding and Administrative Guidelines for Successful Applicants
- Guide on Intellectual Property Arrangements for Research and Development Projects funded under the Innovation and Technology Fund
- Sample of a Completed Post Project Evaluation Form for ITSP Projects Undertaken by Designated Local Public Research Institute
Assessment
The ITF Secretariat will conduct a preliminary screening upon receipt of an application. Where necessary, individual application may be subject to external review. The ITF Secretariat's assessment, together with the views of external reviewer(s) (if any), will be submitted to the Innovation and Technology Fund Research Projects Assessment Panel for examination in accordance with the assessment frameworks for platform projects and seed projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
All platform projects require industry sponsorship of at least 10% of the total project cost from at least one company, while sponsorship requirement is not mandatory for seed projects. Industry sponsorship requirement for platform projects may be waived if they are initiated by Government bureaux/departments and statutory bodies of Hong Kong.
A company (both local and non-local) may contribute cash and/or in-kind sponsorship to ITSP (Platform & Seed) projects to indicate support. Eligible sponsors may apply for Research and Development Cash Rebate Scheme but will not be eligible to own the intellectual property rights generated from the projects (if any).
ITSP (Platform & Seed) focuses on supporting two types of R&D projects, namely platform and seed projects. Platform projects refer to applied R&D projects which aim to benefit the industry collectively or certain sectors of it and have potential for commercialisation. Seed projects are exploratory and forward-looking in nature which provide the foundation for future applied R&D projects.
The majority of the R&D work of a project should be conducted within Hong Kong. However, given the close ties between Hong Kong and the Mainland, up to 50% of the R&D work of the project can be conducted (and relevant expenditure incurred) in the Mainland. Where certain R&D tasks need to be conducted outside Hong Kong (other than the Mainland), the applicant should provide justifications and seek prior approval from ITC.
As a general rule, the IP rights generated from a ITSP (Platform & Seed) project will be vested with the lead applicant (i.e. an R&D Centre1 or a designated local public research institute2). A company as an industry sponsor may enjoy favourable terms in using project results commensurate with the level of its contribution, such as early access to the R&D results, discount in future licensing fees, etc.
- Tel: (852) 3655 5678
- Fax: (852) 2957 8726
- Email: enquiry@itf.gov.hk