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The Research Fund for the Control of Infectious Diseases (RFCID) and the Health and Health Services Research Fund (HHSRF) under the administration of the Food and Health Bureau (FHB) will be open to applications starting from today (July 25).
To encourage, facilitate and support research on the prevention, treatment and control of infectious diseases, the RFCID will consider applications for research projects relevant to the control of infectious diseases in the areas of aetiology, epidemiology and public health, basic research and clinical and health services research. Collaborative research with Mainland and overseas institutions is encouraged.
As for the HHSRF, its objective is to maximise population health, improve quality of life and enhance the standard and cost-effectiveness of the health system through the generation of new knowledge in areas of human health and health services.
A spokesman for the FHB said, "Quality research can help us formulate health policies and prioritise major health issues relevant to Hong Kong.
"The call for investigator-initiated grant applications underlines the importance attached by the Government to both basic and applied research."
Higher funding priorities will be accorded to certain areas. In brief, they are:
RFCID
* Respiratory pathogens (including influenza)
* Technology platforms for infectious disease
* Emerging and zoonotic diseases
* Antimicrobial resistance
HHSRF
* Public health theme
- Smoking
- Mental health
- Injury and poisoning
- Alcohol-related harm
- Major non-communicable diseases (NCD), e.g. cancer, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular diseases
- Environmental pollution
* Health services theme
- Enhanced primary care
- Reducing avoidable hospitalisation
- Chronic disease prevention and management
- Enhanced elderly care
- Health systems research
* Chinese medicine theme
Applications will be subject to a rigorous peer review process. Scientific merit, local relevance, research capacity of the administering institution, track records of applicants, value for money of the proposals and research ethics form the vetting criteria for grant applications.
The closing date for applications is November 14, 2011. Details of the thematic priorities, application guidelines and application forms can be obtained from the Research Fund Secretariat, Research Office of the FHB, at 18/F, Murray Building, Garden Road, Central, or downloaded from the Research Fund Secretariat's website at www.fhb.gov.hk/grants. Enquiries can be made by fax at 2102 2444 or by email to rfs@fhb.gov.hk.
Ends/Monday, July 25, 2011
Issued at HKT 12:00
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