Young scientists from the University of Hong Kong have excelled in the 2025 National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) funding exercise in the Type A, B and C categories of the Young Scientist Fund – in fact, securing the highest number of grants for Type A and B among all Hong Kong institutions.
Professor Max Shen, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) at HKU, emphasised the significance of these awards. “This recognition from the NSFC not only highlights the exceptional calibre of our young researchers but also reflects the vital role Hong Kong’s scientific community plays in advancing the nation’s innovation development,” he says.
The prestigious Young Scientist Fund (Type A), formerly known as the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, supports young scholars who have made outstanding achievements in basic research to select their own research directions and conduct creative research. This year, five HKU scholars have been selected in recognition of their groundbreaking research in medicine, urban social geography, financial innovation and economics, physics, and micro/nanomechanics. Each awardee will receive RMB 4 million (RMB 2.8 million for areas of mathematics and management science) in funding to advance their cutting-edge research.
HKU also celebrated the achievements of eight scholars in diverse fields, ranging from economics, medicine, engineering, climate change, and agricultural ecology, receiving grants from the Young Scientist Fund (Type B). Formerly known as the Excellent Young Scientists Fund, these awards, each worth RMB 2 million, support young scientists with good achievements in basic research to conduct innovative research in areas of their own choice.
Furthermore, seven scholars secured funding through the Young Scientist Fund (Type C), formerly the Young Scientists Fund, each receiving RMB 300,000 – which will help to nurture HKU’s early-career researchers and ensure a robust pipeline of talent for the future.
Reflecting on these gratifying results, Professor Shen observes, “HKU will continue to cultivate world-class interdisciplinary talent, deepen research collaborations with Mainland and international partners, address national priorities and drive sustainable societal progress through breakthrough innovations.”
The success of HKU’s young scientists in the NSFC funding exercise is not just a testament to their hard work and ingenuity; it is also a beacon of hope for the future of research in Hong Kong and beyond. These scholars will carry with them the promise of innovation and discovery, reinforcing the crucial role of academia in shaping a better world.
