CUHK is a comprehensive university and enjoys high standing in various global rankings. Research conducted at CUHK covers a broad spectrum of disciplines. Researchers are highly encouraged to engage in interdisciplinary research, covering topics like AI, robotics, quantum materials, genomics, translational medicine, neuroscience, climate change, renewable energy, smart cities, etc.
Research Units
With a clear and pronounced emphasis on interdisciplinary research, CUHK seeks to optimize opportunities to generate impactful outcomes. Our various research institutes and centres are set up as natural platforms for researchers from different academic departments and disciplines to collaborate on a global basis. All units will submit biennial reports on their research activities, output/impact, donations/grants and external collaborations for periodic reviews to determine continuation or otherwise. Evaluations cover elements of cross-disciplinary focus in various works and activities. The University’s Areas of Excellence projects, State Key Laboratories and InnoHK Centres provide further opportunities for cross-discipline collaborations in research and knowledge transfer.
Below are some examples of our interdisciplinary research units. A complete list of our research institutes and centres can be found here.
Interdisciplinary Research Facilities
Since 2020 CUHK has invested more than HK$6.3B in research infrastructure and facilities. An important consideration is to encourage shared utilization by different Faculties. Our new, expanded or renovated resources accommodate cross-disciplinary and world-leading research in AI, robotics, biotechnology, precision medicine, nanotechnology, agricultural biosciences, engineering, and advanced animal or virus research. Ongoing investments include centralized general research laboratory complex, teaching-research complex, engineering building core research lab and animal facility expansion.
In support of the many research activities, there are centralized facilities as well as specialized equipment and research infrastructure housed in the faculties and research units, optimized for shared use. The University has supported the acquisition of high-performance equipment (e.g., superresolution nanoscope, mass spectrometry system, multifunctional low-temperature X-ray diffraction system, arbitrary waveform generator). Introduction of state-of-the-art facilities and equipment including Cornerstone laboratories, Jockey Club STEM Labs, Histotripsy 2.0 system was enabled through generous external grants and donations.
In the News
Other highlights of our research accomplishments are available here.
Interdisciplinary Research Support
CUHK has formulated internal funding schemes to facilitate interdisciplinary research. These include manpower support (e.g., Research Assistant Professorship Scheme, Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme), seed funding for larger external grant applications (Strategic Seed Funding for Collaborative Research Scheme) and other schemes for designated purposes such as Strategic Impact Enhancement Fund. Selection takes into consideration synergized collaboration among investigators from different disciplines. For 2024–25 the University has awarded $89M to support over 90 projects. The University also sets aside $50M annually as Academic Equipment Grant to support shared research facilities, in addition to equipment funding available at respective departments. There are also research postgraduate places specifically designated to support interdisciplinary research.
Professional and administrative services units in support of cross-department interdisciplinary research include the Research Office, Knowledge Transfer Office, Library, Office of Academic Links, Human Resources Office, Finance Office, Information Technology Services Centre, Campus Development Office, Estates Management Office, University Safety Office, etc.
Faculty Recruitment and Advancement
CUHK seeks talent globally to join us to advance knowledge, foster impactful discoveries and contribute to societal development. There are designated recruitment schemes promoting interdisciplinary research. Various joint appointments and courtesy appointments are made to facilitate educational and scholarly activities that cross disciplinary boundaries. Research outputs and impact generated from interdisciplinary research are recognized in the academic staff performance reviews, including the annual Academic Staff Development Review and the substantiation and promotion exercises, with evidence demonstrating significant practical applications beyond one’s own discipline.
Strategic Partnerships
Globally, CUHK enjoys reciprocally funded strategic partnerships with the Universities of Manchester, Queensland, and Sydney; Baylor College of Medicine; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München; and Imperial College London for the benefit of all departments. Additionally, our membership of the Worldwide Universities Network, a consortium of 24 universities across 6 continents, has led to 31 international collaborations across 23 departments since 2020. Thanks to these efforts, CUHK now has around 1,000 formalised partnerships in place across the Chinese Mainland, Asia, Europe, and the US, and since has secured more than 700 interdisciplinary funded research contracts. During the same period, our investments in developing partnerships and collaborative projects resulted in around HK$12B research income. As a result, 41% of our published research outputs are interdisciplinary. A total of 82% of outputs involve non-local collaborations (42% involve international collaboration across 197 countries while 40% involve Chinese Mainland partners).
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Institutional Research Information System (IRIS) is CUHK’s new institutional platform for central management of the University’s research-related information, including grants, projects, research outputs, knowledge transfer activities, prizes, and media coverage. More information about our innovation and research can be found here.