Rgc Write Comprehensive writing guide for Hong Kong RGC GRF and CRF proposals. Covers all sections including objectives, literature review, methodology, significance, budget justification, and PI track record.
mengzili 5 estrellas 14 mar 2026
Categorías Finanzas e Inversión Contenido de la habilidad
RGC GRF/CRF Proposal Writing Guide
Critical Reminders
Do NOT modify official section headings in the RGC application formRespect page limits strictly : 15 pages for GRF research plan (including references), 20 pages for CRFAll content must be in English (RGC standard; some schemes may accept Chinese)Proofread carefully — language errors suggest carelessness to reviewers
GRF Proposal Structure (Standard)
Research Plan (max 15 pages including references)
Objectives — Clear, concise statement of research goalsBackground / Literature Review — Context, gaps, and motivationResearch Methodology and Plan — Detailed approach, techniques, analysis
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Actualizado 14 mar 2026
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Significance and Value — Contribution to the field and broader impact
Timetable / Milestones — Realistic project timeline
References — Within the page limit
Other Required Components (separate from 15-page limit)
PI's CV and Publication List
Budget and Justification
Ethical Review (if applicable)
Declaration of Overlap with Other Funding
CRF Proposal Structure CRF proposals follow a similar framework but must additionally address:
Rationale for Collaboration — Why multi-institutional collaboration is essentialRole of Each PI / Institution — Clear delineation of responsibilitiesShared Resources / Infrastructure — How collaboration creates synergyManagement Plan — Coordination mechanisms, meetings, milestones
Core Principles
Know Your Audience
External reviewers are international experts (often outside Hong Kong)
Panel members cover broad disciplinary areas
Each reviewer handles many proposals — clarity and conciseness win
Assume reviewers are knowledgeable in the general area but not your specific niche
The "What–Why–How" Framework Every strong proposal answers three questions:
What — What is the research problem and what will you achieve?Why — Why is this important and why now?How — How will you accomplish this? (methodology, feasibility)
Write for Skimming
Use clear headings and subheadings
Bold key terms and findings
Start each paragraph with the main point
Use bullet points for lists of items
Include figures that summarize complex ideas
Section-by-Section Guidance
1. Objectives (半页 / half a page) Purpose : State what you will achieve — clear, specific, measurable.
2–4 specific objectives, each in one sentence
Use action verbs: "develop," "investigate," "establish," "demonstrate"
Objectives should be achievable within the funding period
Avoid vague language ("explore," "study," "look into")
This project aims to [overarching goal]. Specifically, we will:
Develop ...
Investigate ...
Demonstrate ...
2. Background / Literature Review (3–5 pages) Purpose : Establish context, identify the gap, and motivate your research.
Broad context — Why this field matters (1–2 paragraphs)State of the art — What has been done, key achievements (2–3 pages)Gap / Problem — What remains unsolved or poorly understoodYour angle — How your proposed work addresses the gap
Cite 30–50 references, emphasizing recent work (last 5 years)
Be fair and balanced — acknowledge others' contributions
Don't just list papers; synthesize and critique
End with a clear statement of the knowledge gap your project fills
A summary figure here (conceptual diagram) is highly effective
3. Research Methodology and Plan (5–7 pages) Purpose : Convince reviewers your approach is sound and feasible.
Structure by objective :
For each objective, describe:
Approach — What method/technique will you use?Rationale — Why this approach? What are the alternatives?Expected outcomes — What results do you anticipate?Potential challenges — What could go wrong? How will you mitigate?
Be specific about methods, not generic
Include preliminary results if available (strengthens feasibility)
Describe data analysis plans
For experimental work: sample sizes, controls, statistical methods
For computational work: algorithms, software, validation strategies
Include a methodology flowchart (see rgc-figure skill)
4. Significance and Value (1–2 pages) Purpose : Articulate the impact and contribution of your research.
Scientific significance — Advances in knowledge, new theories/methodsPractical/societal impact — Applications, policy implications, industry relevanceInnovation — What is new or different about your approach?Relevance to Hong Kong — Local context or benefit (helpful but not required for GRF)
5. Timetable / Milestones (0.5–1 page)
Use a Gantt chart or table format
Break into 6-month or quarterly intervals
Include milestones and deliverables
Show that the timeline is realistic
Account for potential delays in critical-path items
6. References
Included within the page limit — be selective
Use a consistent citation format throughout
Prioritize recent, high-impact, and directly relevant works
PI's CV and Track Record This section is critical — reviewers assess your ability to deliver.
Academic qualifications and positions
Publication record — Focus on quality (high-impact journals, citation counts)Relevant grants — Past and current funded projectsSupervision record — PhD students, postdocs supervisedSelected publications (typically 5–10 most relevant) — Briefly note your contribution and relevance to the proposed project
Highlight publications directly related to the proposal topic
Show a track record of completing funded projects successfully
For junior applicants (ECS): emphasize potential and early achievements
Budget Justification A well-justified budget reflects careful planning.
Category Notes Personnel (RA/Postdoc) Justify role, duration, and salary level Equipment Quotes required for major items; explain why existing equipment is insufficient Travel Conference attendance, fieldwork, collaboration visits — link to project needs Consumables Lab supplies, software licenses, data access fees Others Participant costs, publication fees, etc.
PI salary is NOT covered by RGC grants
Every line item should connect to a research objective
Avoid round numbers without justification
For CRF: clearly split budget across institutions with rationale
Writing Quality Checklist
Language and Tone
Content
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Too ambitious — Proposing more than can be achieved in the funding periodToo vague — Generic methodology without specific detailsLiterature gaps — Missing key references that reviewers will noticeWeak rationale — Not convincingly arguing why this research matters nowIgnoring feasibility — No preliminary data or track record to support the approachPoor presentation — Messy formatting, inconsistent style, spelling errorsBudget disconnected from plan — Budget items not clearly linked to objectivesOverlap not addressed — Failing to distinguish from other funded/pending projects
GRF vs CRF: Key Differences in Writing Aspect GRF CRF PI structure Single PI (+ Co-Is) Multiple PIs across institutions Page limit 15 pages 20 pages Collaboration Optional Must justify necessity Budget Single institution Split across institutions Scope Focused research question Broader, multi-faceted investigation Review emphasis Scientific merit + PI track record Above + collaboration quality
After Rejection
Read reviewer comments carefully and objectively
Identify specific weaknesses cited
Revise and strengthen those areas
Seek feedback from successful colleagues
Consider whether a different scheme (GRF vs CRF vs ECS) might be more appropriate
Resubmit in the next cycle — persistence is key
References
See references/writing-guide.md for additional writing strategies
See references/review-criteria.md for detailed review criteria and common pitfalls
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Critical Reminders
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