The Innovation & Technology Commission has made new arrangements for two schemes under the DesignSmart Initiative, making them more user-friendly. They are the Design Research and Design-Business Collaboration Schemes.

Under the new arrangements the Design Research Scheme will open to year-round applications with immediate effect and will no longer be limited to pre-set themes.

The Design-Business Collaboration Scheme will be re-oriented into a voucher system enabling each applying small and medium enterprise to be eligible for a maximum grant of $100,000 for four projects at most. The SMEs will also be required to provide the 50% matching funds in cash.

SMEs can apply for the collaboration scheme in this year's third quarter. For details click here or contact the commission on 2737 2462.