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Open Call for funding applications for investigator-initiated research projects and health promotion projects under HMRF begins
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     The Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF) administered by the Health Bureau invites funding applications for investigator-initiated research projects and health promotion projects from today (December 30) onwards. Applications from locally based tertiary institutions, hospitals, medical schools, non-governmental organisations and other appropriate centres, units and services are invited.
 
     The HMRF aims to build research capacity and to encourage, facilitate and support health and medical research to inform health policies, improve population health, strengthen the health system, enhance healthcare practices, advance standard and quality of care, and promote clinical excellence, through the generation and application of evidence-based scientific knowledge derived from local research in health and medicine. It also provides funding support to evidence-based health promotion projects that help people adopt healthier lifestyles by enhancing awareness, changing adverse health behaviours or creating a conducive environment that supports good health practices.
 
     Applications in the following areas will be accepted for consideration by the HMRF:
  1. public health, human health and health services (e.g. primary care, non-communicable diseases, Chinese medicine, etc);
  2. prevention, treatment and control of infectious diseases, in particular emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases;
  3. advanced medical research which applies advanced technologies including but not limited to biotechnology in medicine, use of drugs and treatments, clinical trials, virtual health such as telemedicine, etc, to facilitate the translation of knowledge generated from health and health services or infectious diseases studies into clinical practice and to inform health policy; and
  4. health promotion that facilitates mobilisation of local resources to promote good health and prevention of illness in the community.

     Higher priority for funding will be given to proposals addressing this year's thematic priorities, which are infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, primary healthcare, preventive medicine, telehealth and advanced technology as well as implementation science.
 
     The HMRF emphasises the importance of the translational potential of research findings. Applicants are required to provide a clear explanation in simple language on how the research findings will benefit patients and/or the healthcare system, such as improving patient care and/or population health, influencing clinical practice and/or health services management, or informing health policy in Hong Kong. Moreover, advanced medical research shall focus on clinical studies. Basic or pre-clinical studies will not be funded.

     The grant ceiling is $1.5 million per project with a grant duration not exceeding three years. Larger-scale pilot studies, such as those evaluating trialability and scalability for future implementation, and small-scale research with achievable objectives, can be submitted to seed grant with a grant ceiling of $500,000 per project.

     Only one application from each principal applicant is allowed, either a new or a resubmission of an application. The principal applicant should be based in a Hong Kong organisation throughout the project period and be employed by the administering institution at the time of submission.

     Applications will be subject to two-tier peer review. The vetting will take into account scientific merit, local relevance and translational potential/value of the proposals, sustainability of health promotion projects, capacity of the administering institutions, track record of applicants, value for money of the proposals and research ethics, where applicable.

     Completed electronic application forms should be submitted via the electronic Grant Management System (eGMS) (rfs.healthbureau.gov.hk/eGMS/) on or before 6pm on March 31, 2023 (Hong Kong time). Briefing sessions and training workshop for grant applications, to be held in January and February 2023, are now open for registration.

     Details are now available on the website of the Research Fund Secretariat. Enquiries can be made by e-mail to rfs@healthbureau.gov.hk.
 
Ends/Friday, December 30, 2022
Issued at HKT 11:00
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