A. ITF Funding Schemes

LSCM focuses on supporting R&D projects that would add value to and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the logistics and supply chain industries in Hong Kong through the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF). The industry can collaborate with LSCM for various research projects and apply for the Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP), Partnership Research Programme and Public Sector Trial Scheme, which are funded by the ITF.

2. Partnership Research Programme 

For Partnership Research Programme, the industry co-applicant should contribute at least 50% of the total project cost (for projects undertaken by an R&D Centre, exceptional approval needs to be sought from ITC if the contribution from the industry co-applicant amounts to 30%-50% of the total project cost). Industry co-applicants can be one of the following; a private sector company incorporated in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), an industry support organisation, a trade and industry association, or a professional body which has the legal capacity to enter into contracts. The IP rights generated during the project may be owned by the industry co-applicant if it has contributed 50% or more of the total project cost during the project period. If this is not the case, the lead applicant should be the owner of the IP rights.

Industry co-applicants have the right to share the benefits generated from the commercialisation of project IP (including royalty fees), with the sharing ratio subject to negotiation with LSCM. The IP benefit sharing, and related arrangements must be agreed before the commencement of the project and set out in the project agreement.

Collaborative Research Programme applications are accepted throughout the year. For details about application procedures and project assessment criteria, please refer to the section on Application and Vetting.
 

3. Public Sector Trial Scheme 

LSCM also undertakes Contract Research Programme which are funded entirely by private companies. The private companies are required to contribute the full cost of the R&D work conducted.

The R&D Cash Rebate Scheme and Internship Programme will offer additional financial support for the sponsoring companies and recipient organisations undertaking R&D projects, respectively.

C. Other ITF Funding Schemes

Cash Rebate Scheme

The R&D Cash Rebate Scheme aims to reinforce the research culture among business enterprises and encourage them to establish stronger partnership with designated local public research institutions. Under the Scheme, a company will receive a cash rebate for its contribution to the R&D projects. Please refer to the Research and Development Cash Rebate Scheme website for details. 

Research Talent Hub (RTH)

Under RTH-ITF, organisations/companies undertaking research and development (“R&D”) projects funded by the ITF can apply for funding to recruit research talent to assist in the R&D projects. Each ITF project can engage up to 4 research talent at any one time. The maximum engagement period for each research talent is 36 months. Please refer to the Research Talent Hub website for more details.

You may also consider the following ITC/ITB funds:

ENTERPRISE SUPPORT SCHEME (ESS)

ESS is a major funding initiative under the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF funding), which is designed to encourage the private sector to invest in research and development (R&D). Funding support of each approved project is up to HK$10 million and will be provided on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis. Project period should not be longer than 2 years. The funding recipient company will own all intellectual property rights arising from the project. Recoupment of Government's contribution is not required. Benefit sharing of commercialised R&D results would be non-mandatory. Project with an approved project period of 12 months or longer is eligible to hire researchers and/ or postdoctoral talent to assist in the Project. 

The ESS funding recipient company can also apply for the Research and Development Cash Rebate Scheme to receive a cash rebate of up to 40% of the company’s expenditure in the project. Please refer to the Enterprise Support Scheme website for more details.

TECHNOLOGY VOUCHER PROGRAMME (TVP)

TVP aims to subsidise local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in using technological services and solutions to improve productivity, or upgrade or transform their business processes. The programme will be implemented on a pilot basis for an initial period of three years from November 2016 with HK$500 million from the Innovation and Technology Fund. Please refer to the Technology Voucher Programme website for more details.

FUND FOR BETTER LIVING (FBL)

The Innovation and Technology Fund for Better Living is a scheme for funding innovation and technology projects which will make people’s daily living more convenient, comfortable and safer, or address the needs of specific community groups. Projects should involve the innovative application of technologies. An approved project will receive a grant up to 90% of the total eligible costs of the project or HK$5 million, whichever is the less.  Please refer to the Fund for Better Living website for more details.

Eligibility for FBL

Eligible Applicants include:

• Non-governmental organisations receiving subvention from the Social Welfare Department. This link is relevant

• Public bodies under Section 2 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap. 201), except the Government Bureau/Departments, the Executive Council and the Legislative Council. Schedule 1 to Cap. 201 is relevant

• Professional bodies

• Trade associations

The above organisations should either be registered under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) or the former Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32); or statutory corporations established under any Ordinances in Hong Kong. Other organisations may also be considered under exceptional circumstances.

If you have any questions about the ESS, TVP, FBL or ITF Funding scheme, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Pilot Subsidy Scheme for Third-party Logistics Service Providers (Pilot Scheme)

With a view to maintaining competitiveness of Hong Kong's logistics sector, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the Government) launched the Pilot Scheme to encourage the adoption of technology by the logistics sector for enhancing efficiency and productivity. The Pilot Scheme also covers the purchase of screening equipment including X-ray machines and Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) equipment under the Regulated Air Cargo Screening Facilities (RACSFs) Scheme accepted by the Civil Aviation Department. Please refer to the Pilot Scheme website for more details.

Eligibility for Application

All non-listed enterprises registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310) with substantive business operations in Hong Kong, which also meet the following conditions, are eligible to apply:

•             Providing third-party logistics services, i.e. value-added services in supply chain and distribution;

•             Being related to either inbound or outbound goods; and

•             Maintaining eligibility throughout the period of project implementation.