Not-for-profit professional, trade, or industrial organisations and research institutes are invited to submit applications for the 13th round of funding from the Professional Services Development Assistance Scheme.

It finances projects designed to boost the competitiveness of Hong Kong's professional services on the Mainland and in other markets, and enhance the standard of local professional services.

Grants are given on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis, up to $2 million. In the first 11 rounds, 146 applications were recommended involving $56.82 million. Among the approved projects, 65, involving funding of $25.57 million, relate to enhancing competitiveness in the Mainland market.

Applications in the 12th round are being processed and the results will be available next month.

Applications for the 13th round should reach the Commerce, Industry & Technology Bureau by September 30. It will organise a briefing session on September 7 and a helpdesk service will be available from that date.