蓝天研究基金

Creativity is fundamental to our academic life. Motivated by curiosity and a vast knowledge base, creativity allows one to shake up the normal way of thinking and develop new solutions to a problem. Thus, we should encourage the researchers to do curiosity-driven work to push the frontiers of science and advance knowledge outside the restriction of a pre-defined agenda. Due to the uncertain research outcome, funding from external funding bodies for such research might have proved difficult.  

Given the importance of blue-sky research to the essence of academic life and its potential value to the innovative discoveries, an internal funding scheme entitled “Blue Sky Research Fund” (BSRF) was set up to provide support to academics to carry out research simply for the sake of curiosity, discovery and knowledge in the development of science, humanity and arts.

BSRF supported research:

• Advancing innovative processes and creative thinking that might lead to unimaged outcomes
• Pushing the frontiers of science and advances knowledge outside the restriction of a pre-defined agenda
• Extending and engaging transdisciplinary research groups to work at the interface of multiple disciplines
• Bearing uncertain research outcomes, and therefore, initial funding from external funding bodies might have proved difficult

Eligibility

• The funding support was open to academic staff members who are at the rank of Research Assistant Professor or above; and have a full-time appointment at the University.
• The proposed project should not be granted by any internal and/or external source of funds, i.e. a continuation or expansion of already funded projects will not be considered.
• Each applicant could submit one proposal as PI in each funding cycle.
• Both individual and team projects were welcome.

Review process and selection criterion

The assessment process was designed to engage the entire HKBU community to ensure that the best ideas be supported. The assessment process was divided into two levels – the first level collects views and comments from the HKBU’s research community (the Community Review). In contrast, the second level seeked advice and decision from a renowned Committee (the Committee Assessment). Details were as follows:

Community Review: All members of the University were invited to comment on the projects via an online platform. They were welcome to comment on any projects applied for the fund. All comments were shared on a non-anonymous basis and open to the public to ensure fairness and openness within the University community. An open forum was organised for the PI to present the project.

Committee Assessment: Each proposal, together with the collected comments, was assessed by the HKBU International Advisory Board for Research and Development.  The Committee then invited the project proposers to present their proposals in an elevator pitch and selected the awarded project(s). 

Funding support

• A total of HK$6 million was allocated to fund the BSRF.
• There was no funding ceiling for each project or no fixed number of awarded projects to allow maximum flexibility.
• The first batch of applications began in May till mid-July 2022, and the selected projects were expected to start in early October 2022.
• The applicants should indicate the durations of the projects. 
• Any unused balance should be returned to RC under the following circumstances within the proposed period:
  • Termination of Employment Contract of the PI by resignation, dismissal by the University, the expiry of a fixed-term or by mutual agreement, or any other grounds by the relevant employment ordinance
  • In the event that any act(s) or event(s) beyond the control of the PI renders he or she unable to conduct or carry on the project
  •  The PI has been convicted of research misconduct after a formal investigation by RGC or the University

Monitoring Measures

Awardees were required to submit an annual report and prepare an annual presentation open to both the HKBU’s academic community and the general public. Upon the completion of the project, awardees were expected to submit a completion report to RC, together with the financial statement of the reporting period.

Application Procedures

Applications were submitted via the HKBU Integrated Research Information and Management System (IRIMS) by 8 July 2022. Interested applicants were invited to fill in an application form, including but not limited to a 1-minute video and questions to be answered provided under Part II.

Timeline

Blue Sky Research Fund 2021/22

• Community Review
• Poster Exhibition
• Open Forum
• Funding Results