HK Prize offers undergraduate and postgraduate students research grants to explore Hong Kong issues such as its relationships with mainland China and Asia. Each grant covers travel expenses, stipend payments and publication rights of their work; with winners from each category receiving HK$100,000. In addition, their work could potentially compete for an extra investment prize pool prize pool of up to HK$500,000 at the annual Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Prize Awards Ceremony in October.
The Hong Kong Prize (hk Prize) is an esteemed award that honours scientists for their contributions to scientific advancement. Organized by the Hong Kong Alliance of Technology and Innovation and supported by Bank of China, Run Run Shaw (one of Hong Kong’s foremost philanthropists) endorses it to enhance Hong Kong scientific research as an international entity and gain greater global attention, particularly within China itself.
On Tuesday, the winners of this year’s hk Prize were revealed, featuring researchers in astronomy, life sciences and medicine, and mathematical sciences. Shrinivas R Kulkarni won for his research into millisecond pulsars as well as finding clues regarding gamma-ray bursts and supernovae. Scott D Emr, who works at University of Washington as professor of genetics as well as Joseph Sriyal Malik Peiris (2022 Shaw Laureate for Mathematical Sciences shared life science and medicine prize award this year.
As Hong Kong Prize celebrates its 2024 anniversary, its Board of Directors are taking steps to strengthen the award’s governance structure. They are charged with interpreting the Charter, suggesting scientific research fields for THE PRIZE, and setting requirements for nominators and Compliance Oversight Team membership. Furthermore, they will serve as liaison and coordinator between Board, Review Committee and Compliance Oversight Team; in addition to organizing evaluation activities such as hosting interdisciplinary academic activities or popularizing science.
In 2014, The Hong Kong Prize was created as part of a campaign to foster scholarly research related to Hong Kong’s role and image on an international stage. The prize aims to recognize those Hong Kongers who are fostering international cooperation while shaping the global reputation of their city, in addition to honoring local philanthropists who have helped shape its cultural landscape and inspiring the younger generation of Hong Kongers to see science’s promise and potential.