Call for Application - HKUST Bridge Gap Fund 2021

Form of Funding Support

• Each approved project will typically receive funding support of up to HK$ 0.25M for “Seed Project Support Scheme” and up to HK$ 0.5M for “IP Commercialization Scheme”. 
• Funding support is to fund eligible activities within the project (refer to Guideline) for up to twelve (12) months from the project commencement date with tangible deliverables.
• For project intended to work with the HKUST Sustainable Smart Campus as a Living Lab (SSC) initiative of HKUST, each project will be further supported with a funding of up to HK$0.1M.
• Principal Investigator can submit more than one application for different projects.
• Projects should demonstrate the commercial potential and the advancement in technology readiness of HKUST research outputs, prospect of adoption by industry partners, or establishment of startup. Projects that focus on basic research are NOT eligible.
• The projects received or are receiving other funding supports with the same deliverables are NOT eligible. 

Eligibility

1. Seed Project Support Scheme (Up to HK$ 0.25M per project):

• Principal Investigator must be full-time faculty members of HKUST who have not received any funding support from OKT & TTC funding program (including but not limited to PCF, BGF, HBJRI, HKJRI & HCIC).
• Young Faculty including RAP

2. IP Commercialization Scheme (Up to HK$ 0.5M per project):

• Principal Investigator must be full-time faculty members
• Projects should have clear background Intellectual Properties (IPs) with invention/software disclosure submitted to TTC.

 Selection Mechanism & Criteria

• Project selection criteria include IP strength, commercial potential and impact.
• In considering an application, the BGF Review Committee will evaluate, at a minimum, the following criteria:

• Potential for Commercialization
  • Key problem or gap that the proposed technology can solve
  • Market opportunities
  • Target industry players or startup potential
  • Commitment from industry player
• Technology  
  • Strength of Background IP (patent / patent application, copyrights, software, know-how, database and etc)
  • Technolology and IP development plan  
  • Level of innovation and viability of deliverables
  • Possibility to establish the deliverables
• Project Team
  • Demonstration of the capability of research and development
  • Adequacy of team to perform the project

Application Deadline: 14 April 2021

For detailed information regarding the BGF, please refer to the TTC website at https://ttc.ust.hk/index.php?p=4&sp=53