The Hong Kong Prize is an award offered to young scientists to recognize their excellence in research. The prize is a chance for scientists to shape Hong Kong’s future and contribute to the world. The winners are awarded a cash prize and an engraved medal. In addition, they can participate in a series of workshops that will help them further develop their skills and enhance their career prospects. The award is open to all Fellows of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine who have published a scientific paper in peer-reviewed journals.
A record-breaking number of entries were received for this year’s HK prize, with submissions from universities, government agencies, and companies across the country. The winning research spanned a wide range of disciplines, from biomedical science to nanotechnology to energy and new materials. Among the most significant projects were a noninvasive test for early diagnosis and intervention of gastrointestinal tract diseases and autism spectrum disorders, a new method for making a 3D micro- and nanofabrication material, and innovative data and AI security technologies.
In order to guarantee the fairness of the HK prize draw, all procedures are rigorously checked and tested on a regular basis by the organiser, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC). Employees from the security and customer service departments will carefully examine and test each ball and machine before and after the drawing. They also monitor the security of the draw area. HKJC will never use the same balls for consecutive draws, and will take measures to ensure that the draw is conducted under strict security controls.
The HK prize is sponsored by the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited and was established in 2022. The Prize was set up to encourage scientific researchers in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan to innovate and explore the frontiers of science and technology. It is designed to inspire young scientists in the region to continue their research and innovation, establish themselves in Hong Kong, serve the nation, and contribute to the world.
The Prize is awarded in five categories, with each category comprising two award levels, Lifetime Achievement and Early Career Contribution Awards. It is a unique, prestigious and international-level award that carries a monetary prize of one million US dollars. The prizes are awarded biennially. The finalists are selected by a panel of judges, including distinguished scientists and scholars. In the event that more than one Laureate is named, each will receive a share of the prize. The finalists’ research should have made major breakthroughs and had far-reaching impacts in their field worldwide. The judging criteria are based on academic achievement and social impact. The prize money is based on the award level. In addition, the winning Laureates will have the opportunity to attend international conferences and seminars to further promote their research work. They will also be given a certificate. In addition to the prize money, Laureates may also be provided with a research grant of up to HK$500,000 from the Hong Kong Alliance of Technology and Innovation.