HKUST-UNSW Global Research Impact Program & Global Knowledge Network Awards
HKUST and The University of New South Wales (UNSW) have identified each other as strategic partners to foster deep collaboration in research and education. The HKUST-UNSW Global Research Impact Program and Global Knowledge Network Awards have been established to facilitate and support joint initiatives that will strengthen the two universities’ strategic priorities as well as develop multi-disciplinary cutting-edge research to create academic and societal impact. We invite proposals from researchers in all disciplines at HKUST and UNSW.
Prospective applicants may sign up for the HKUST-UNSW collaboration matchmaking to identify collaborators with similar research interests.
Call for Applications 2026
In this round of the awards, applicants are encouraged to submit funding proposals for innovative and sustainable programs built around collaborative research linking HKUST and UNSW. Proposals should be sustainable in the long term with an engagement plan that includes leveraging external funding and publication outputs.
In this round, up to four (4) proposals will be funded (each with two Principal Investigators; one from HKUST and one from UNSW). Each successful proposal may receive up to the equivalent of HKD 40,000 from HKUST and AUD 8,000 from UNSW for a total of approximately HKD 80,000/AUD 16,000 for the joint project.
Eligibility
Applications are open to any HKUST-eligible Principal Investigator and UNSW-eligible Principal Investigator. Priority will be given to collaborations involving Early Career Researchers.
Application Submission
All applications must be submitted online via the HKUST-UNSW Global Research Impact Program & Global Knowledge Network Awards 2026 – Application Form.
Applicants should refer to the Award Guidelines for details on eligible budget items, application selection criteria, and reporting requirements.
Important Dates
|
Applications close |
31 March 2026, 20:59 HKT / 23:59 AEDT |
| Successful applicants notified | By 30 April 2026 |
| Project period | 1 May 2026 - 30 April 2027 |
| Mid-term review | 31 October 2026 |
| Final reports due | 31 May 2027 |
For Enquiries
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Judy Ma, VPRDO
Email: judyma@ust.hk
UNSW Sydney
Karen da Lapa-Soares, University Office of Global Affairs
Email: GlobalVentures@unsw.edu.au
Awarded Projects
- Next-Generation Coastal Concrete: Recycling Marine Clay Solid Waste for Decarbonization and Enhanced Waste Management
HKUST PI: Dan TSANG, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
UNSW PI: Wengui LI, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering - Enhancing Customer Engagement and Retention through Multi-Modal Digital Marketing
HKUST PI: Dongwon LEE, Department of Information Systems, Business Statistics and Operations Management
UNSW PI: Junbum KWON, School of Marketing - Robust Contracts in Experiment-Driven Companies: Screening through Incentive Alignment
HKUST PI: Nian SI, Department of Industrial Engineering and Decision Analytics
UNSW PI: Chang LIU, School of Economics - Enhancing Logistics and Disaster Resilience through Advanced Air Mobility: Economic Impact, Operational Optimisation, and VR/AR Training Integration
HKUST PI: Sisi JIAN, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
UNSW PI: Mirjam WIEDEMANN, School of Aviation