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Funding Scheme

Research and Development Projects

2026/27
Invitation Period(s)
19 August to 29 September 2026
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Applicant organisations should download a soft copy of the application for record after submission.
Online Application through Smart ECF

Online Application
Nature of Projects

Research and Development (R&D) Projects aim to encourage policy and technology research in the field of environmental protection and nature conservation, application of project outcomes and exchange of knowledge and professional development through conferences. R&D projects cover three types of projects, namely research projects, technology development and demonstration projects, and conference projects.

Research projects should contribute to academic advancement and policy development in the field of environmental improvement and nature conservation of the local environment, and should not be too theoretical in nature.

Technology development and demonstration projects should be of direct and practical benefit to the improvement and conservation of the environment of Hong Kong, and the project outcomes should have the potential to be widely adopted. They may include the introduction, development and demonstration of new technologies.

The theme and nature of conference projects should focus on environmental protection and sustainable development, and promote exchange of professional knowledge, academic research, technological development, best practices and experience in the field of environmental protection and nature conservation, aiming to raise Hong Kong’s profile as a leading green city.

Project Themes

R&D Projects are categorised in the following themes:

1

Air Quality

2

Biodiversity and Conservation

3

Climate Change – Mitigation, Adaptation and Resilience

4

Construction and Traffic Noise – Prevention and Mitigation

5

Waste Management, Reduction and Recycling

6

Water Quality and Water Pollution

7

Other Topic

Project Period

Each R&D Project should normally last for not more than 30 months, unless with justifications accepted by or as required by the ECF Committee for specific reason(s).

Application Method

The Secretariat will only accept online applications submitted through Smart ECF. No other means of submission will be accepted.

Points to Note

Under normal circumstances, application(s) submitted by the principal investigator / applicant organisation (except for universities and the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong) that is already undertaking two approved on-going research projects and/or technology development and demonstration projects and one on-going conference project will not be approved.

For other forms and documents related to application and project management, please refer to Forms and Document Templates in Resources to download.

Slides of the Briefing Session

Slides of the Briefing Session (Being updated)
Apply for Help

For each round of new application, the Secretariat of the Environment and Conservation Fund Committee (the Secretariat) will organise briefing session(s) for organisations to understand the application requirements. If you wish to attend the briefing session, please stay tuned for the latest news on this website. For any questions regarding the application, organisations may contact the Secretariat (Tel.: 2835 1234).