The Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT) held “Funding Scheme for Postdoctoral Researchers and the Scientific Research Devices and Equipment of Higher Education Institutions Seminar” on 18th January. These two schemes aimed to support outstanding domestic and overseas doctoral graduates in science and technology areas who worked as full-time postdoctoral researchers in local higher educational institutions, as the innovative capability of which to enhance the innovative capability. The project budget in this year was increased to MOP 535 millions, which would be used to plan on a series of new funding schemes. Ma Chi Ngai Frederico and Cheang Kun Wai, the president and committee member of the Administrative Committee of FDCT; Ip Kuai Lam, senior manager of S&T Development and Research Department; Chan Kong On, substitute senior manager of Financial Support Department hosted the seminar,  which attracted more than 50 representatives of higher educational institutions.

      Ma Chi Ngai Frederico said the new budget would be used for new funding schemes, including two new plans mentioned above. FDCT would launch the major programme of innovative technology and support the technology innovation center. Moreover, Macao would develop along with the construction of Great Bay Area and launch the GSTD and FDCT support joint research projects to build up the industrial-oriented technical supportive power, and promote the cooperation of industry, academic and research institutions between Macao scientific community and the industries in Great Bay Area. He hoped that the higher educational institutions, research institutes and researchers would seize the opportunity to establish more high-level research platforms.
 
      For the Funding Scheme for Postdoctoral Researchers of Higher Education Institutions, Cheang Kun Wai introduced that the applying entities should be local higher educational institutions and it offered 50 funding quotas. The funding type would be non-compensated, and every eligible full-time postdoctoral researcher would be entitled to a monthly payment of MOP40,000 for up to 24 months. It was expected to introduce outstanding domestic and overseas doctoral graduates in science and technology areas to enhance overall research capability in Macao. The assessment criteria included the amount of research funding that the applying entity received from the Fund in the past three years, the applying entity’s research capability and research conditions and qualification reviews of postdoctoral researchers. The funded higher educational institutions must complete the recruitment process within one year from the day of the granting of the funds.

      Moreover, for the Funding Scheme for the Scientific Research Devices and Equipment of Higher Education Institutions, the applying entities should be local higher education institutions, and the funding type would be non-compensated. The Scheme offered funding of MOP 100 million for application by local higher education institutions to purchase research devices and equipment. Funding priority would be given to newly constructed State Key Laboratories and new research disciplines which need to purchase new equipment. The assessment criteria included the benefits of the devices or/and equipment to the new State Key Laboratories and research disciplines and the necessity and rationale of using the devices and equipment. The funded higher education institutions would need to finish their purchase within two years from the date of fund approval.

      The application period for the two schemes would be from today to 18th February 2019. FDCT would strive to complete the assessment in March or April. The applicants could login the FDCT website for more information. After filling out the application form, the applicant should  submit it to the Financial Support Department of FDCT no later than the closing date.
 
The article was drawn from Macao Daily News, B02, 2019/1/19, http://www.macaodaily.com/html/2019-01/19/content_1325555.htm.