The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) today (September 11) announced the launch of the third round of applications for the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme. The deadline for applications is October 31, 2025. Eligible universities are welcome to apply.
         
     "The scheme was well received by the universities in the past two rounds of applications. The ITC encourages universities to continue their active participation in this round with a view to promoting the '1 to N' transformation and commercialisation of research and development outcomes through efficient collaboration among the Government, industry, academic, research and investment sectors, thereby fostering Hong Kong's high-quality development and maximising the benefits brought by innovation and technology (I&T) to the community. The Government will adjust the assessment process of this round of application solicitation exercise to encourage early industry contribution to the applications under the Scheme," a spokesman for the Commission said.
      
     With a funding allocation of $10 billion, the RAISe+ Scheme was launched in 2023 and aims to fund at least 100 research teams from universities funded by the University Grants Committee that have good potential to become successful start-ups on a matching basis to transform and commercialise their research and development outcomes. Funding support from $10 million to $100 million will be provided to each approved project. Assessment criteria include the I&T component of the project, commercial viability of project outcomes, technical and management capability of the team, relevance of the project to government policies or the overall interest of the community, and financial considerations of the project.
      
     A total of 49 projects were supported by the RAISe+ Scheme in the first two batches, covering I&T fields in health and medical sciences, new materials and new energy, artificial intelligence and robotics, electrical and electronic engineering, engineering, advanced manufacturing, Chinese medicine, environmental, agricultural and marine biotechnology, and computer science/information technology, with the total funding amounting to over $2 billion.
      
     Details of the scheme are available on its dedicated website (www.itf.gov.hk/en/raiseplus). For enquiries, please contact the Secretariat of the Scheme (Tel: 3543 5904; email: raiseplus@itc.gov.hk).

Ends/Thursday, September 11, 2025
Issued at HKT 17:40

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