The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and University of St Andrews (UStA) have identified each other as strategic partners to foster deep collaboration in research and education. The HKUST-UStA Global Knowledge Network Awards/Joint Seed Funding have been established to facilitate and support joint initiatives that will strengthen the two universities’ strategic priorities as well as develop multi-disciplinary cutting-edge research to create academic and societal impact. We invite proposals from researchers in all disciplines at HKUST and UStA.

Applicants are encouraged to submit funding proposals for innovative and sustainable programmes built around collaborative research linking HKUST and UStA. Proposals should be sustainable in the long-term with a plan for engagement that includes leveraging external funding and publication outputs. The joint funding aims to support the first steps of cooperation and is not meant as complete project funding.

In this round, up to two (2) proposals will be funded (each with two Principal Investigators; one from HKUST and one from UStA). Each successful proposal may receive up to the equivalent of HKD 40,000 from HKUST and GBP 5,000 from UStA for a total of approximately HKD 80,000/GBP 10,000 for the joint project.

• Each proposal requires at least one PI from HKUST and one PI from UStA.
• Grants are open to any HKUST-eligible PI and UStA-eligible PI from any academic discipline.
• No specific research themes are required.
• Please refer to the Awards webpage for the Awards schedule.
• Applications will be submitted online via the HKUST-UStA Global Knowledge Network Awards/Joint Seed Funding 2026 - Application.
• Deadline for Applications: October 20, 2025, 23:59 BST
• Sign up for the HKUST-UStA collaboration matchmaking.

Please refer to Global Knowledge Network website for further information about the joint seed funding initiative.

For enquires, please contact Ms. Karen CHAN at global@ust.hk for the Awards Guidelines and additional details.