CUHK
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The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) recently announced 2024 funding results. Twenty-five professors from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) have obtained funding support. Among them, seven professors are awarded funding from the “National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars”, which is the highest level of young research talent development program under NSFC, and for the first time opened its applications to researchers from Hong Kong and Macao this year. Another seven professors have been awarded the “Excellent Young Scientists Fund”, also a prestigious talent development program; and 11 receive support from the “Young Scientists Fund”. The total funding for the 25 projects amounted to RMB41.7 million. The recognition and funding these young research talents received will elevate their scientific endeavors.

CUHK’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Sham Mai-har said: “It is truly inspiring to see 25 CUHK young professors being awarded funding from NSFC. Notably, seven of them are awarded funding from the ‘National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars’, while another seven receive support from ‘Excellent Young Scientists Fund’. This not only demonstrates CUHK’s competence in research, but also signifies an important recognition for innovative research of the projects led by these professors. CUHK will continue to nurture outstanding young scholars, and looks forward to their fruitful research outcomes that drive societal progress and benefit the public.”

Seven professors will receive funding through the “National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars” scheme, which opened its applications to young scholars from Hong Kong and Macao for the first time. Each will be granted RMB4 million (RMB2.8 million for mathematics and scientific management projects) to support their research for up to five years. The funding is intended to assist young scholars who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in fundamental research, enabling them to conduct innovative research in their fields and supporting them to become prominent scientific pioneers. The seven recognised individuals are Professor Gong Xiting, Professor from the Department of Decisions, Operations and Technology; Professor Jason Yam Cheuk-sing, Professor from the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Professor Yeung Ying-yeung, Professor from the Department of Chemistry; Professor Duan Renjun, Professor from the Department of Mathematics; Professor Yan Renbin, Professor and Global STEM Scholar from the Department of Physics; Professor Wu Yilin, Professor from the Department of Physics; and Professor Shi Zhentao, Associate Professor from the Department of Economics.

Each of the researchers funded by the “Excellent Young Scientists Fund” will receive RMB2 million to support their research in Hong Kong for a maximum of three years. Launched in 2019, this fund supports young scientists who have demonstrated achievements in fundamental research to further pursue their chosen area, fostering intellectual development in academics. The seven individuals recognised are Professor Chen Zhi, Assistant Professor from the Department of Decisions, Operations and Technology; Professor Philip Zhang Renyu, Associate Professor from the Department of Decisions, Operations and Technology; Professor Ke Te, Associate Professor from the Department of Marketing; Professor Xie Wensi, Associate Professor from the Department of Finance; Professor Duan Liting, Assistant Professor from the Department of Biomedical Engineering; Professor Zhou Renjie, Associate Professor from the Department of Biomedical Engineering; and Professor Chen Sijie, Vice-Chancellor Associate Professor from the School of Life Sciences.

Each of the professors funded by the “Young Scientists Fund” will receive funding of RMB300,000 to support their projects for three years. The fund started accepting applications from Hong Kong researchers in 2022. It supports young scholars in conducting fundamental research in their domains, enhancing their ability to undertake innovative projects independently and nurturing the growth of young scientists. The 11 academics recognised are Professor Wang Zijia, Assistant Professor from the Department of Finance; Professor Lai Jiewen, Research Assistant Professor from the Department of Electronic Engineering; Professor Huang Chaoran, Assistant Professor from the Department of Electronic Engineering; Professor Su Qi and Professor Xu Zhilu, both Research Assistant Professor from the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics; Professor Wang Sishuo, Research Assistant Professor from the Department of Microbiology; Professor Liao Rui, Research Assistant Professor from the Department of Surgery; Professor Huang Lingcao, Research Assistant Professor from the Institute of Space and Earth Information Science; Professor Gary Choi Pui-tung, Vice-Chancellor Assistant Professor from the Department of Mathematics; Professor Xue Haoran, Assistant Professor from the Department of Physics; and Professor Zhai Shixian, Assistant Professor from the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.