LSCM focuses on supporting R&D projects that would add value to and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the logistics and supply chain industries in Hong Kong through the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF). The industry can collaborate with LSCM for various research projects and apply for the Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP), Partnership Research Programme and Public Sector Trial Scheme, which are funded by the ITF.
- Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP)
ITSP aims to support applied research and development (R&D) projects undertaken by R&D Centres or designated local public research institutes with a view to transferring the R&D results to local industries.
ITSP supports platform projects which require industry sponsorship from at least one private sector company, covering at least 10% of the total project cost within the project period. The companies should not be related to the lead applicant in terms of ownership or management. Sponsorship can be in the form of cash, in-kind contributions, or a combination of the two. To encourage more projects in the public sector, ITC may consider waiving the industry sponsorship requirement for projects initiated by Government bureau/departments and statutory bodies. The Intellectual Property (IP) rights generated from the project will be owned by the lead applicant, which can be a R&D Centre or a designated local public research institute. However, in the case of R&D Centre projects, wherein a university undertakes most of the R&D work, the R&D Centre may be free to negotiate with the university regarding ownership of the IP rights.
As an incentive for sponsorship, private sector sponsors of ITF funding projects are eligible for a discount of 50% on the licensing fee of project deliverables.
Platform project applications are normally solicited (via “Call for Proposals”) twice a year. For details about application procedures for the programme and project assessment criteria, please refer to the section on Application and Vetting.
- Partnership Research Programme
For Partnership Research Programme, the industry co-applicant should contribute at least 50% of the total project cost (for projects undertaken by an R&D Centre, exceptional approval needs to be sought from ITC if the contribution from the industry co-applicant amounts to 30%-50% of the total project cost). Industry co-applicants can be one of the following; a private sector company incorporated in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), an industry support organisation, a trade and industry association, or a professional body which has the legal capacity to enter into contracts. The IP rights generated during the project may be owned by the industry co-applicant if it has contributed 50% or more of the total project cost during the project period. If this is not the case, the lead applicant should be the owner of the IP rights.
Industry co-applicants have the right to share the benefits generated from the commercialisation of project IP (including royalty fees), with the sharing ratio subject to negotiation with LSCM. The IP benefit sharing, and related arrangements must be agreed before the commencement of the project and set out in the project agreement.
Collaborative Research Programme applications are accepted throughout the year. For details about application procedures and project assessment criteria, please refer to the section on Application and Vetting.
- Public Sector Trial Scheme
The aim of this programme is to facilitate and promote the realisation and commercialisation of R&D results generated through ITF funding projects. The scope of the ITF funding scheme has been extended to cover the production of prototypes/samples and the conducting of trial schemes in the public sector.
The prototypes/samples and the trial schemes under ITF funding should aim to facilitate the development of new products not currently available on the market. They should employ the R&D results/deliverables of the original ITF funding projects.
The use of samples/prototypes and trial schemes is confined to the public sector, which includes Government bureau and departments, public bodies (e.g. Hospital Authority, Airport Authority, etc.), non-profit trade associations, charitable organisations, etc. For details about ITF funding application procedures, please refer to the section on Application and Vetting.
Apart from the above three funding programmes, LSCM also offers a Contract Research Programme for relevant industry.