Outstanding Knowledge Transfer & Impact Award (KTIA)

The College of Science (CSCI) forges close ties with industry, business and the wider public for knowledge transfer and the betterment of society. In line with University's strategies and strengths, the College Outstanding Knowledge Transfer & Impact Award (CSCI-KTIA) is established to recognise and reward faculty members whose research work have made outstanding contributions in transferring research knowledge to the public and/or had a significant impact on society. Through this award, faculty members are encouraged or even incentivized to engage in knowledge transfer and/or research impact projects, to nurture research impact cases, and to share with each other their innovative projects/activities for a more impactful research agenda. The specific target of the award is to identify and cultivate potential research impact cases, which highlight the pivotal and broad influence of the research conducted at CSCI.

Award

There will be a maximum of two awards each year. An award of HK$30,000 (to be designated by the recipient (or the receiving team) for staff development, lab consumables or equipment) will be given in appreciation of the awardee’s outstanding achievement(s) in knowledge transfer and/or research impact made to the society. Awardees will be invited to share their achievements in College events and publications.

Eligibility

Individual Award

All full-time CSCI academic faculty with a minimum of two years’ full-time service at CSCI at the time of the nomination deadline are eligible.
All nominees are not recipients of CSCI-KTIA (formerly known as Outstanding Knowledge Transfer Award, CSCI-KTA) in the last two years.

Team Award

The award may recognise up to five team members, including the team leader.
A team leader, who is a full-time academic faculty with home department within CSCI, should be designated for each team. S/he should have a minimum of two years’ accumulated full-time service at CSCI at the time of the nomination deadline.
All other team members should be full-time academic staff members (excluding visiting staff) at the University.

Selection Criteria

All nominees will be assessed based on the following criteria:

Demonstrated track records as evident in the quality of patent awards.
Evidence of successful application and/or commercialisation of the research outputs leading to innovative, profitable/economic/social improvements in the society.
Evidence of the quality of individual research underpinning the community and societal impact.
Relevance, impact and significance of the research which has enabled, enriched, influenced, informed or changed the products, services, performance, practice, policies or the perspectives of commerce, industry or other organisations, governments, communities or individuals.
Supporting documents can be provided for:
- highlighting the nominee's contributions to knowledge transfer and their impact on the public, e.g. supporting letters;
- easy access to a non-specialist audience with an emphasis on the practical applications and benefits to the research;
- demonstrating specific examples of how the research has influenced policies, practices, or improved the lives of individuals or communities, e.g. news.

Selection Process

A Selection Panel (Panel) will be formed with members appointed by the Dean. The composition of the Panel will include faculty members from the College, recipients of the University Outstanding Research Award, and other members of the University that the Dean considers appropriate. The Panel will review all nominations based on the submissions and the recognised achievements of the candidates. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to present their achievements and research impact cases to the Panel. The decision of the Panel is final.

Nomination Procedures

Self-Nomination

Eligible faculty members may nominate themselves for the award by submitting a completed Nomination Form to the CSCI within the nomination period. The required supporting documents should reach the College Office before the stipulated deadline.
Respective Heads of Departments (HoDs) may be invited to comment on the nominations.

Faculty Nomination

HoDs and all faculty members of the CSCI will be invited to make no more than one nomination per HoD or faculty member.
Nominators should seek prior consent from the nominees before submitting the completed Nomination Form to the CSCI within the nomination period.
The College Office will invite nominees to submit the required supporting documents before the stipulated deadline.

Submission of Required Documents

Submissions should consist of a summary description (maximum 5 pages) of the work of the researcher describing the research undertaken, as well as its significance and/or relevance in making contribution to the community or society. Examples can be drawn from, but not limited to, academic and applicable research projects, contract research projects or consultancies. The document should provide evidence of the quality and potential of the research, grants, prizes and patents obtained. For problem-focused research work, the impact of the research outputs on the techno-economic development in Hong Kong and the region should be elaborated.

Timeline

Nominations should be sent to the CSCI (by email: [email protected]) on or before 21 February 2025 (Friday). All required supporting documents should reach the College Office by 14 March 2025 (Friday).
Interview by Selection Panel will be conducted in April 2025.
Result of the CSCI-KTIA will be announced in May 2025.