Press Releases
Research grant applications open tomorrow
The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau will invite grant applications tomorrow
(August 15) from researchers for two of the research funds under its
administration. The closing date for applications is November 15, 2006.
The two funds are the Research Fund for the Control of Infectious Diseases (RFCID)
and the Health and Health Services Research Fund (HHSRF).
A spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau said the call for
investigator-initiated grant applications underlined the importance attached by
the Government to both basic and applied research. Quality research informs
health policy and assists the Government in formulating priorities on major
health issues relevant to Hong Kong.
Higher funding priorities will be accorded to certain areas. In brief, they are:
RFCID
* Respiratory infectious diseases
* Avian influenza
* Tuberculosis
* Vector-borne diseases
HHSRF
* Public health theme
* Smoking
* Mental Health
* Healthy community
* Health services theme (especially cancer, heart disease, cerebrovascular
disease, respiratory disease)
* Chinese medicine theme (especially interactions between Chinese and Western
medicines)
The RFCID, with a fund of $450 million, was set up to encourage, facilitate and
support research on the prevention, treatment and control of infectious
diseases.
It considers applications for research projects relevant to the control of
infectious diseases in the area of aetiology, epidemiology and public health,
basic research, and clinical and health services research. Collaborative
research with Mainland China and overseas institutions is encouraged.
This year, the RFCID will focus in particular on avian influenza, reflecting the
current regional and global concern over the pandemic potential of this virus.
The HHSRF, with a fund of $26 million, was established with the aims of
maximising population health, improving the quality of life, and enhancing the
standard and cost-effectiveness of the health system through the generation of
new knowledge in areas of human health and health services. It has three broad
themes centred on public health, health services and Chinese medicine.
Applications will be subjected to a rigorous peer review process. Scientific
merit, local relevance, research capacity of the administering institution,
track records of applicants, "value for money" of the proposals and research
ethics are the vetting criteria for a successful grant.
Details of the thematic priorities, application guidelines and application forms
can be obtained from the Research Fund Secretariat, Research Office of the
Health, Welfare and Food Bureau at 18/F, Murray Building, Garden Road, Central,
or dowdloaded from the Research Fund Secretariat's website at
www.hwfb.gov.hk/grants. Enquiries
can be made by fax at 3150 8993 or by email to
rfs@hwfb.gov.hk.
Ends/Monday, August 14, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:04
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