Supporting research

Grants & awards

Research programmes, competitive funding and achievements across the laboratory.

RGC external research grants

  1. INTL-RAM-DOM synergy: a learning-and-optimising framework of multi-modal transit solutions for time-critical and imbalanced passenger flows in regional airport clusters. General Research Fund 2026, Research Grants Council, HK $902,986.00 (1st Jan 2027 to 31st Dec 2029)
  2. Clear-to-fly or clear air turbulence? Enhancing clear air turbulence forecasts through multi-source data integration and climate change insights. PROCORE-France/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme 2025/26, Research Grants Council, HK $ 61,200.00 (1st February 2026 to 31st January 2027)
  3. Synergistic solutions: developing dynamic wake vortex decay prediction with wind and meteorological considerations to enhance runway safety and throughput. General Research Fund 2025, Research Grants Council, HK $1,015,808.00 (1st Jan 2026 to 31st Dec 2028)
  4. Spatio-temporal meteorological hazards avoidance through flight trajectory planning for safe and efficient air traffic management, General Research Fund 2024, Research Grants Council, HK $1,132,781.00 (1st Jan 2024 – 31st Dec 2026, PI)
  5. Towards solution robustness and network resilience of the terminal traffic flow and terminal airspace congestion control, Early Career Scheme 2022, Research Grants Council, $938,670.00 (1st Jan 2022 – 31st Dec 2025, PI)

Non-RGC external research grants

  1. Intelligent Mitigation and Control of Low-Level Wind Shear in Airport Terminal Areas, Research Institute for Large Aircraft, HK 2,900,000.00 (1st Sep 2026 - 31st Aug 2028, PI)
  2. Development of human-centric driver support systems and training recommendations for safer cross-border driving during Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles, Smart Traffic Fund, Transport Department, HK $7,703,151.61 (1st Nov 2024 - 31st Oct 2026, PI)
  3. Dynamic wake separation modelling in runway scheduling problem and optimisation methods in terminal manoeuvring areas, The Young Scientists Fund 2024, National Natural Science Foundation of China, RMB $300,000.00 (1st Jan 2024 – 31st Dec 2026, PI)
  4. Investigation of an online data-driven intelligent automation platform for drivers considering the psychological condition instability and behaviours for a sustainable and safe transportation system, Smart Traffic Fund, Transport Department, HK $5,544,700.15 (1st Sep 2022 – 30th Aug 2024, PI)
  5. Unlocking the potential of AI edge intelligence and cloud-edge computing for flexible robotic and facility control system, Innovation and Technology Fund – Partnership Research Programme (ITF-PRP), Innovation and Technology Commission, HK $3,999,966.80 (2nd Jul 2021 – 31st Oct 2023, PI)

Internal competitive research grants

  1. Clear air turbulence forecasts through ERA5 and LiDAR instrument integration, Financial Support for Non-PAIR Research Centres 2026, Research Centre for Data Sciences & Artificial Intelligence, HK $300,000.00 (1st Jan 2026 – 31st Dec 2027, PI)
  2. Aircraft induced contrail mitigation strategy by satellite imagery and uncertainty modelling for the future of airspace management, Joint Research Fund supported by RISUD 2023/24, Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development, HK $1,200,000.00 (1st Sep 2024 – 31st Aug 2026, PI)
  3. Towards future climate friendly airspace design: A deep-learning approach for aircraft induced contrails recognition from satellite image and climate-optimised air traffic routing, Research Funding Scheme for Supporting Intra-Faculty Interdisciplinary Projects 2023/24, PolyU Faculty of Engineering, HK $500,000.00 (1st Jun 2024 – 31st May 2025, PI)
  4. UAV-based Inspection of Aircraft with Deep learning-based visual inspection system, Research Centre for Unmanned Autonomous Systems, HK $500,000.00 (1st Feb 2024 – 31st Jan 2026, PI)
  5. Using neuro-physiological data in realising the human-centred intelligence in the air transportation systems of single-pilot operation, Research centre for Data Sciences and Artificial Intelligence, HK $400,000.00 (1st Jun 2024 – 31st Dec 2026, PI)
  6. Data-driven and feedback-loop hyper-heuristics in an online flight trajectory prediction, Departmental General Research Fund, HK $50,000 (1st Jun 2021 – 30th Nov 2022, PI)

RPg research grants under supervision of Prof. Ng

  1. Dr Cho Yin Yiu, PolyU Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme 2025, PolyU, HK $841,040.00 (31st Aug 2026 – 30th Aug 2028).
  2. Dr Qinbiao Li, Strategic Hiring Plan, Research Assistant Professor, 2024.

Personal achievements of Prof. Ng

  1. Faculty Merit Award in Teaching: Outstanding Young Teacher (Individual) 2024, PolyU FENG
  2. Faculty of Engineering Research Grant Achievement Award 2022, PolyU FENG
  3. Faculty Merit Award in Research (Research & Scholarly Activities – Outstanding Young Researcher), Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2021, PolyU FENG

RPg research award – international level

  1. Chu, N., & Ng, K. K. H. (2025 Oct). Runner-up of 2025 INFORMS Air Transportation Section (ATS) Best Dissertation Award. 2025 INFORMS Annual Meeting. Georgia, U.S.: Informs.
  2. Chu, N., Ng, K. K. H., Liu, Y., & Hon, K. K. (2024 Jul). Analysing the Potential of Dynamic Aircraft Wake Separation via Data-Driven Aircraft Wake Region Detection. Best Student Award in Air Transportation Systems. AIAA Aviation Forum and Ascend 2024. Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.: AIAA.
  3. Li, Q, Yiu, C. Y., Yu, S. C. M., & Ng, K. K. H. (2021, Dec). Situational Awareness and Flight Approach Phase Event Recognition Based on Psychophysiological Measurements. The Outstanding Paper Award That Earned Honourable Mention, the 2021 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (IEEM). Singapore, Singapore: IEEE.

RPg research award – regional/local level

  1. Li, Q., & Ng, K. K. H. (2024 Jul). Enhancing Flight Operations Safety: A Neurophysiological Approach to Mental State Prediction in Commercial Single-Pilot Operations. Champion Award of Doctorate Degree group, HKIE Safety Specialist Committee – Student Project Competition 2024. Hong Kong: HKIE.
  2. Chan, Y. Y., & Ng, K. K. H. (2023 Nov). Urban level energy efficient UAV path planning in windy environments. Champion (postgraduate level), HKIE CA paper competition 2022/23, HKIE Control, Automation & Instrumentation Division, Hong Kong: HKIE.
  3. Yiu, C. Y., & Ng, K. K. H. (2023 May). Towards safe and collaborative aerodrome operations: Assessing shared situational awareness for adverse weather detection with EEG-enables Bayesian neural networks. Best Student Papers Award 2022. HKIE Logistics and Transportation Division, Hong Kong: HKIE.
  4. Li, Q., & Ng, K. K. H. (2021 Nov). Design and evaluation of human factors assessment and conflict detection performance in a terminal air traffic control. HKIE CA paper competition 2021/22, HKIE Control, Automation & Instrumentation Division, Hong Kong: HKIE.

UG research award – regional/local level

  1. Chong, M. H., Lam, H. S., Yiu, C.Y., & Ng, K. K. H. (2022 Jul). Towards safe and collaborative aerodrome operations: Assessing shared situational awareness for adverse weather detection with EEG-enables Bayesian neural networks. ASM outstanding award, ASM technology award 2022. Hong Kong.
  2. Chong, M. H., Lam, H. S., Yiu, C.Y., & Ng, K. K. H. (2022 Jul). EEG-based shared situational awareness assessment of aerodrome operations under meteorological conditions and communication protocol variations. HKIE CA paper competition 2021/22, HKIE Control, Automation & Instrumentation Division, Hong Kong: HKIE.
  3. Kwok, K. C., Lee, W.T., Mo, H. T., & Ng, K. K. H. (2021 Jul). Study of flight arrival and departure delay and causal factors using machine learning approach. Champion, HKIE CA paper competition 2020/21, HKIE Control, Automation & Instrumentation Division, Hong Kong: HKIE.
  4. Tsang, K. Y., & Ng, K. K. H. (2020 Jul). Blockchain-based system for aircraft parts traceability and condition tracking. Best Student Papers Award 2020. HKIE Logistics and Transportation Division, Hong Kong: HKIE.