The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been awarded 13 research projects with total funding support of approximately HK$20.3 million under the 2025/26 funding exercise of the Collaborative Research Scheme (CRS) and Joint Research Scheme (JRS), jointly administered by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong. As one of the top three universities in terms of funding awarded under both schemes, PolyU is committed to advancing impactful research and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, said, “We are delighted by this recognition of PolyU’s sustained research leadership and collaborative strength. It reflects the dedication and talent of our researchers in addressing critical scientific and societal challenges. We will continue to foster impactful research and strong partnerships that drive innovation and contribute to Hong Kong’s growth as a vibrant center for technology and knowledge, thereby supporting the Nation’s development.”
The NSFC/ RGC CRS supports collaborative research proposals jointly submitted by the Mainland and Hong Kong researchers. It aims to support research projects with a duration of four years. The two awarded CRS projects are led by scholars from the Faculty of Construction and Environment, paving the way for scalable technologies in the transition to a sustainable future.
Led by Prof NI Meng, Associate Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment, Head and Chair Professor of Energy Science and Technology of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering at PolyU, the project titled “Development of high performance and durable solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) for coupling with Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) reactor for green synthetic liquid fuel production”, in collaboration with Prof. HAN Minfang, Professor of Department of Energy and Power Engineering at Tsinghua University, has received HK$3.6 million in funding from the RGC.
This project aims to develop advanced solid oxide electrolysis cells for efficient co-electrolysis of water and carbon dioxide, enabling integration with Fischer-Tropsch reactors for green synthetic liquid fuel production. The team will engineer novel perovskite cathode materials using entropy engineering and in situ nanoparticle exsolution, supported by machine learning and theoretical modelling.
Multiphysics simulations will evaluate system performance under fluctuating renewable power input, and a coupled system will be developed to demonstrate fuel production. The project will support carbon neutrality by advancing renewable energy storage, carbon dioxide utilization, and clean fuel technologies, contributing to sustainable energy development in Hong Kong, the Nation and globally.
Led by Prof. YU Tao, Associate Head (Research) and Professor of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at PolyU, the project titled “FRP-Reinforced Concrete Structures for Marine Environments: Material and Structural Innovations for Ductility Enhancement and Prefabricated Construction”, in collaboration with Prof. XUE Wei Chen, Professor of Department of Structural Engineering at Tongji University, has received HK$3.57 million in funding from the RGC.
This project aims to develop innovative prefabricated FRP-reinforced concrete structures (PFRSs) tailored for marine environments. Key objectives include enhancing ductility and stiffness through hybrid FRP rebars, designing two types of beam-column connections for seismic resilience and rapid assembly, and establishing predictive models for long-term performance.
The research addresses urgent infrastructure needs in coastal/marine and earthquake-prone regions, offering corrosion-resistant, cost-effective solutions that improve safety, reduce maintenance, and boost construction productivity. The project outcomes will support sustainable development of coastal and marine infrastructure in Hong Kong, the Nation, and other densely populated coastal areas worldwide.
In addition, 11 PolyU projects have received approximately HK$13.2 million in funding support from the RGC under the NSFC/RGC JRS. These projects span a broad spectrum of disciplines, including biomedical imaging, musculoskeletal health, infrared sensing, superconducting materials, ferroelectric crystals, energy storage, organic photovoltaics, navigation systems, and urban resilience. They exemplify PolyU’s continued commitment to research excellence and knowledge transfer that addresses societal needs and contributes to technological advancement.
The NSFC/RGC JRS aims to promote collaboration between researchers and research teams in Hong Kong and the Mainland by leveraging the complementary strengths of both sides. It also offers up to two conference grants to sponsor conferences held in Hong Kong.
List of PolyU Projects funded under NSFC/RGC Collaborative Research Scheme 2025/26
List of PolyU Projects funded under NSFC/RGC Joint Research Scheme 2025/26
