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The Central Policy Unit (CPU) announced today (December 2) the funding results of the first round of the Public Policy Research (PPR) Funding Scheme 2013-14.
The CPU received 49 research proposals in this round. The total funding sought was about $30 million. To ensure academic freedom and the quality of the research projects, assessments were conducted by an assessment panel comprising 10 experienced academics. The panel and reviewers, who are academics and experts outside the panel, assessed the applications according to the relevant criteria and details announced earlier. A declaration of interests system is in place to ensure that assessments are fair and just.
After the above assessment process, the CPU decided to fund, on the advice of the assessment panel, 20 projects with a total funding of about $8 million. Another five projects are being processed.
The funded projects cover a wide spectrum of policy areas, including land and housing, ageing and retirement protection, population policies, environmental protection, ethnic minorities, economic development, governance and administration, and regional co-operation and development. Details of these funded projects have been uploaded to the CPU website (www.cpu.gov.hk).
Since the introduction of the PPR Funding Scheme in 2005, the Government has allocated $20 million annually to promote public policy research. From 2013-14 onward, the CPU will administer the day-to-day operations of the PPR Funding Scheme. The Scheme has been open for applications since July 16, 2013. To increase the Scheme's flexibility and to cater for potential applicants' needs, applications are accepted throughout the year. Applications will be processed upon receipt.
Ends/Monday, December 2, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:00
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