In the latest round of the Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local Self-financing Degree Sector of the Research Grants Council (RGC), Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) secured over HK$33.42 million for 47 projects, amounting to over 37.1% of the total RGC allocation. HKMU ranked first among all local self-financing institutions in terms of both funding amount and the number of projects for the third consecutive year, demonstrating the excellence of the University's faculty in research and innovation.

The University achieved an outstanding performance under the major funding category “Faculty Development Scheme” (FDS). A total of 43 projects secured over HK$31.97 million, marking an increase in the number of projects and funding amount by 13% and 7%, respectively, compared to those of the previous year. HKMU continued to outperform other self-financing institutions in both metrics. The total funding amount was the highest for the seventh consecutive year.

HKMU President Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing was deeply encouraged by the excellent performance of the research teams. He said, “HKMU's outstanding achievement in this year's RGC funding exercise demonstrates the relentless efforts and innovative spirit of our faculty and researchers.”

Prof. Lam emphasised that the University remains committed to supporting forward-looking research projects with social impact by continuing to allocate resources to foster a conducive research environment. He added that the University would leverage its strengths as a university of applied sciences to contribute to Hong Kong and the country.

Under the FDS, seven HKMU-led projects received funding of over HK$1 million each. These projects span multiple interdisciplinary fields, including artificial intelligence, environmental science and disease treatment.

Among them, a project led by Prof. Jack Tang Wai-ho, Head of Diagnostic Sciences in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, titled “Deciphering the pathophysiological role of platelet PANoptosis in sepsis”, was awarded HK$1.259 million, which was the largest funding amount for HKMU. This study aims to provide new theoretical insights into the pathogenesis of sepsis and identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets, contributing to the prevention and treatment of sepsis.

This research, along with another project led by Dr Wong Shun-man, Senior Lecturer in the School of Science and Technology, stood out among numerous proposals from all participating institutions. They received the largest grants in the Biological and Medical Sciences and the Physical Sciences areas, respectively.

Under the Inter-Institutional Development Scheme (IIDS), four HKMU-led projects, covering themes such as smart cities, environmental sustainability, health informatics and cultural studies, secured a total of HK$1.45 million, representing a 25% increase compared to that of the previous year.

Over the years, HKMU has continuously enhanced its research infrastructure based on its strengths and expertise across a wide range of strategic research areas. The University has set up five research institutes and four research centres to promote research in various domains, including the digital humanities and literature, public and social policy, international business, responsible business, bilingual learning and teaching, gerontechnology, personalised care, environmental science, smart city, and open and innovative education.

Following are some of the funded research projects: