Endowed Young Scholars Scheme

We aspire to foster Hong Kong's status as a world-class R&D hub and to nurture the distinguished research academic, who make possible the many ground-breaking innovations and put forward creative ideas. We are determined to better human lives, industries and the society, and contribute to the city's sustainable growth and the development of our nation and the world.

Your Gift Shapes the Future

With the aim of supporting and nurturing promising early-career academics, PolyU has launched the Endowed Young Scholars Scheme to partner with our donors and benefactors, in driving innovations that bring positive and long-term changes to the world. An Endowed Young Scholar position can be established with a donation of HK$4 million. This joint commitment between the donor and the University will enable our young distinguished scholars to make greater progress in their education and research.

Tap into Promising Ideas Early On

Every innovative idea starts small and without funding, even the brightest ones may wither away and go unnoticed. At present, early and experimental ideas are less likely to acquire funding. Therefore, a sustainable support to ensure such ideas can be embarked on is vital to make the biggest impact possible. The Scheme will help nurture the development of innovative ideas with huge untapped potential early on.

My research on pavement design and railway embankment in the loess region aims to improve safety and efficiency of railway systems, which are vital to the smooth running of any modern city.

Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Shared Vision . Shared Research Interest

The gift to establish an Endowed Young Scholar position will place the donor’s choice of name on that endowment perpetually. Donors may choose a discipline or field of study they wish to support, where an outstanding young scholar in the capacity of an Associate Professor or Assistant Professor will be appointed after a rigorous selection process undertaken by PolyU’s Academic Selection Committee and Advisory Committee.

Matching Contribution

For every Endowed Young Scholar position established, PolyU will match the donation with a contribution and put together an endowed fund that generates an annual funding in support of the research and scholarly activities of the appointee. This sum can also serve as seed funding for the pursuit of ideas with high potential, and the furtherance of their impact to the society.

Legacy for a Lifetime

Donors will be regularly updated on the research progress of the Endowed Young Scholar they support, while the appointee will carry the Endowed Young Scholar title, preceded by the donor's (or an honoree’s) name, on all formal occasions where appropriate. In official documentation, the appointee will be referred to as, for example:

“Associate Professor, Leon Chan,
[Donor’s Name] Young Scholar in [a designated discipline]”

Partnership for Impact

Through the Scheme, young researchers are honoured for their achievements and receive annual funding, which is made possible by the philanthropists. By making donation, donor and the scholar will join hands to drive new discoveries and breakthroughs in the research discipline that they mutually value, resulting in new products, services and solutions in the field. The Scheme also creates a lasting partnership between the parties, and serves as a vital bridge that connects the academia and the society at large. It fosters the exchange of knowledge and experiences to synergetic effects, and leads to collaboration between academics and the industries for positive societal impacts.