The Chief Executive's Policy Unit (CEPU) announced today (March 24) the results of the fourth round of applications to the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS) in 2022-23.
 
      The PPRFS is a government-financed funding scheme dedicated to supporting evidence-based public policy research by higher education institutions and think tanks in Hong Kong. The CEPU is its Secretariat. As the Government's internal research unit, the CEPU is set up to enhance the Government's capabilities in research and advocacy on long-term and strategic issues. One of its tasks is to build up external policy research capacity through measures including administering the PPRFS. This will be conducive to the achievement of the CEPU's objectives, including to advocate for and assist in the formulation of long-term and strategic policies from a forward-thinking perspective; to keep abreast of national development and analyse and suggest areas of significance in the integration into national development; to examine international relations and situations, and analyse opportunities and risks; and to grasp the sentiments of Hong Kong citizens to understand the general direction and focus of their concerns.
 
     A total of 29 applications were received under the fourth round exercise in 2022-23. On the advice of the Assessment Panel, the CEPU has supported seven projects with total funding of about $4.1 million. The seven funded projects cover research areas relating to housing development, livelihood issues, education, environmental sustainability, etc.  
   
     Applications to the PPRFS are accepted throughout the year and assessed by the Assessment Panel which comprises experienced academics. Each application is considered on its merits and relevance to public policy development in Hong Kong. The Assessment Panel will also take into account comments of outside reviewers who are academics and experts during the assessment process. A declaration of interests system is in place to ensure that the assessments are fair and impartial.

     Details of the funded projects have been uploaded onto the CEPU's webpage (www.cepu.gov.hk/en/PRFS/ppr-granted.html).

Ends/Friday, March 24, 2023
Issued at HKT 15:00

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