Non-profit-distributing professional, trade, or industrial organisations and research institutes are invited to apply for funding from the Professional Services Development Assistance Scheme starting from December 13.

All applications for this round should reach the Commerce, Industry &Technology Bureau by February 16, 2005.

The scheme, launched in February 2002 with an allocation of $100 million, finances projects to raise the competitiveness of local professional services in the Mainland and other external markets, and to enhance service standards.

Grants are given on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis, with a maximum of $2 million for each project.

A vetting committee, made up of professionals, business people, academics and a government official, will assess applications and monitor approved projects.

In the first six rounds of applications, 96 applications involving $37.4 million were recommended by the vetting committee. Projects funded include conferences, training programmes, exchange visits and promotional activities.

Of the approved projects, 44 involve funding of $16.7 million related to raising competitiveness in the Mainland market. Applications received in the seventh round are being processed and results will be available early next month.

Urgent applications considered separately

Applications are invited three times a year, but urgent projects will be considered separately by the vetting committee if they so warrant.

To help interested organisations prepare their applications, the Commerce, Industry &Technology Bureau will organise a briefing session and set up a help desk service in mid-January.

Detailed information, a list of the approved projects and the application form are available here, or by calling the hotline, 2918 7593.