RAISe+ fourth round opens: university–business research collaboration opportunities

Hong Kong’s Innovation and Technology Commission announced on 7 September 2026 that the fourth round of applications for the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme is open. The application deadline is 30 October 2026.

For businesses exploring new technologies, the relevance lies in potential collaboration with university research teams—not a general invitation for companies to apply directly for a government grant.

Who can apply?

The programme overview states that an applicant must be a university funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC). The scheme supports the transformation and commercialisation of university research and development outcomes, and industry sponsorship is mandatory.

A company’s role as a potential collaborator or industry sponsor is therefore distinct from the university’s role as applicant. Interest in a partnership does not establish eligibility or guarantee funding.

Why this may matter to businesses

The opening creates a timely reason to consider whether a university team’s research addresses a real business need. The official announcement identifies commercial viability and a team’s technical and management capability among the assessment criteria. It does not guarantee that any particular technology or partnership will be supported.

Editorial planning considerations—not government requirements:

• Business fit: Is there a clearly defined customer or operational problem that the research could address?
• Readiness: Is the technology sufficiently developed for a meaningful demonstration or trial in the intended setting?
• Collaboration capacity: Could the business contribute relevant expertise, facilities or market feedback, subject to discussion with the university?
• Commercial expectations: Do the parties have a shared understanding of intended use, responsibilities, intellectual-property expectations and the route to market?

These are partnership discussion points, not application instructions or a statement of the scheme’s contractual terms.

Keep the deadline and applicant role separate

The 30 October deadline is for this round of scheme applications by eligible universities. It is not a universal deadline for businesses to sign collaboration agreements, nor a promise that projects will be approved by that date. Businesses with a relevant research interest may discuss potential cooperation with a suitable university team and consult the scheme Secretariat for official clarification.

Source note: The 7 September 2026 announcement establishes the fourth-round opening and deadline. At our review cutoff, the linked programme overview’s application paragraph still referred to the 2025 third round; it remains useful for general eligibility, but its older round dates should not be used for this announcement.

Sources:

1. ITC / Hong Kong Government, 7 September 2026: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202609/07/P2026090300523.htm

2. Innovation and Technology Fund, RAISe+ programme overview: https://www.itf.gov.hk/en/raiseplus

Disclaimer: This article provides general news and editorial information only, not funding, legal, investment or professional advice. Official scheme documents and the responsible authority’s current guidance prevail. Collaboration, sponsorship and funding remain subject to applicable conditions and assessment; no outcome is guaranteed.

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