Applications invited for Research Fellowship Scheme
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The scheme aims to support researchers or professionals in their early to mid-career, particularly healthcare professionals, to enhance their skills in public health research and health services research.
The grant ceiling per award is $1.2 million, inclusive of $400,000 for overseas training. In order to provide more training opportunities to build up the research capacity of Hong Kong to meet future needs and challenges, invitation for proposals will be extended to the two designated teaching hospitals (i.e. Prince of Wales Hospital and Queen Mary Hospital) in addition to the tertiary institutions funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC). The number of awards will also be increased from eight to 16, with details as follows:
* UGC-funded tertiary institutions (12 awards)
* Designated teaching hospitals (four awards)
Each tertiary institution/designated teaching hospital can nominate up to eight fellowship applicants. Each applicant can only submit one application.
To tie in with the launch of the Government's Towards 2025: Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent and Control Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Cancer Strategy 2019, higher priority will be accorded to applications that address cancer and the preventable or modifiable risk factors for NCDs, namely smoking, alcohol drinking, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. Subject to the quality of the applications, at least four of the 16 awards will be granted to applications that can address the aforementioned four factors for NCDs, with one award in each area.
An application should cover:
* An overseas training programme (regular programmes for higher academic qualifications, e.g. master's or PhD degrees, will not be considered) with attachment to a reputable institution for at least three months cumulatively throughout the fellowship period; and
* A small-scale research project relating to the proposed training programme with no more than three research objectives. Pilot studies and proof of concept studies are also welcomed.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview. Applications will be subject to peer review. The vetting will take into account the capability of the applicant and his/her performance at the interview, the importance of the training proposal to healthcare development and its relevance to the proposed research project. The proposed research project will be evaluated on its scientific merit, local relevance and translational potential or value to public health or health services.
The closing date for application is 6pm on December 3, 2021. A Briefing cum Grant Skills Training Workshop to be held in October 2021 is now open for registration. Application guidelines can be downloaded from the website of the Research Fund Secretariat. Enquiries can be made by fax at 2102 2444 or by email to rfs@fhb.gov.hk.
Ends/Friday, September 10, 2021
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
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