The Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS) and the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (SPPRFS) are government-financed funding schemes dedicated to facilitating evidence-based public policy research by tertiary institutions and public policy research think tanks in Hong Kong. The two funding schemes are administered by the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit (CEPU), which is set up to enhance the Government’s capabilities in research and advocacy on long-term and strategic issues.
Both PPRFS and SPPRFS aim to facilitate public policy discussion and knowledge transfer of research findings, as well as nurturing the talents required. Specifically, SPPRFS focuses on longer-term public policy research on strategic themes and research areas identified by the Government whilst PPRFS focuses on smaller scale public policy research of shorter duration. Research studies that will inform the Government’s policy making process, drive changes, keep up with national development and international trends, and contribute to policy development will be considered for funding. These include applied researches that are problem-focused and solution-oriented, and forward-looking researches on strategic and long-term issues. Only research studies that have direct policy implications or relevance and will facilitate public policy formulation in Hong Kong, and the outcomes from which can be effectively and practically translated into policy will be considered for funding. Research that are mainly academic in nature will not be funded.
Applications for the PPRFS are accepted throughout the year; while those for the SPPRFS are invited once a year in general.