All projects (except activities which are or will be in receipt of other Government funding support) that are conducive to enhancing the competitiveness of non-listed Hong Kong enterprises in general or in specific sectors are welcome to apply for the TSF. Activities under the projects may include seminars, workshops, conferences, exhibitions, research studies, award schemes, codes of best practices, databases, service centres, support facilities and technology demonstrations, etc. 

Projects funded under the TSF shall be completed in 3 years. 

• The following items directly incurred for the project may be funded:

  • 1. Manpower

    Salary (including employer's contributions to the Mandatory Provident Fund) of additional manpower and the applicant’s existing staff deployed for the project (on a full-time or part-time basis) may be funded.
    
    A record on the working time devoted by the staff (including additional or existing staff) to the project shall be maintained and submitted to the Secretariat for manpower charged on an hourly basis.

  • 2. Additional equipment

    As a general rule, projects with proposed equipment cost equal or greater than 50% of the total project cost will not be considered unless there are very strong justifications.
     
    Only the cost of procuring or leasing of additional equipment for implementing the project can be charged to the TSF grant.  The maximum amount of grant for equipment procured under an approved project is HK$1 million, or 90% of the approved equipment cost, whichever is the less (Please click here for general guidelines).

  • 3. Implementation fee

    The fee paid to an implementation agent for assisting the applicant in carrying out the project may be funded. Such fee shall be charged based on the work directly incurred for each project deliverable according to the breakdown specified in the approved project proposal.

  • 4. Other direct costs

    All other costs directly incurred for the project may be funded, which may include:
    1. Expenses for consumables
    2. External consultancy fees
    3. Production and promotion costs of project deliverables (such as the costs on printing of leaflets, advertisements and venue rental for seminars, etc.)
    4. Travelling expenses
       Travelling expenses incurred by project team members shall not exceed 5% of the total budgeted expenditure or the total actual expenditure (whichever is the less). For flight charges, only cost of economy class fare will be covered.
    5. External audit fees
       The maximum funding allowed for each audit of the project shall not be more than HK$10,000.
    6. Patent registration fee
       Patent registration fees directly relating to the project of not more than HK$250,000 may also be included in the budget.

• Unallowable costs

  Unless explicit prior approval is given by the Vetting Committee, the TSF grant will not cover overhead expenses (such as rental, renovation expenses and utility expenses of the applicant’s premises), individual enterprises’ participation fees in project activities, entertainment expenses, expenses for meals and refreshments, and other administration costs.