Staff Grant, Funding & Support

The objective of the International Conference Grant Scheme is to encourage staff members to attend and present research papers at international conferences. Subsidies normally cover part of the registration fee and travel and accommodation expenses. The maximum grant for each application is HK$8,000. A staff member may receive grants up to a maximum of HK$10,000 for attending more than one conference within a period of twelve months. The applicant must apply for the grant prior to the conference under the three deadlines announced by the College (Normally 31 July, 30 November and 31 March of the year). Application forms are downloadable from the College webpage during application periods, or can be obtained from Mrs Eastre T Y Chan, Secretary of the Committee on Cultural Interchange and Research (Tel: 3943 8657).

The Resident Fellow Scheme provides financial support for staff members to invite scholars from outside Hong Kong as resident fellows to conduct joint research projects or carry out academic exchange activities on the College campus. The residence period can be from one to two months. A resident fellow will receive from the College a monthly living allowance of HK$13,000. Campus housing at the invited fellow’s own expense may be provided subject to availability. The applicant must apply to the College under the three deadlines announced by the College (Normally 31 July, 30 November and 31 March of the year). Nomination forms are downloadable from College Webpage during application periods, or can be obtained from Mrs Eastre T Y Chan, Secretary of the Committee on Cultural Interchange and Research (Tel: 3943 8657).

These two research grant schemes were established in 1989 to provide financial support to faculty members of the College to carry out academic research projects. The grant amount for each project will normally not exceed HK$30,000. Project proposals from junior staff members are most welcome. Applications are invited from staff members of the College in late August every year. Results are announced in late November each year. Application forms are downloadable from College Webpage during application period, or can be obtained from Mrs Eastre T Y Chan, Secretary of the Committee on Cultural Interchange and Research (Tel: 3943 8657).

The College has established a conference sponsorship scheme to provide financial sponsorship to academic departments and units of the University for organising local and international conferences as “seed money”. The designated conference account holder will be required to provide the College with a full financial report upon completion of the conference, and return, on a pro rata basis, unused funds to the College if the conference eventually has a credit balance in the final account. Interested parties are invited to apply in late November each year. All proposals are considered by the Cabinet of United College and the outcomes are announced in late December. If funding is not yet exhausted in this first round of application, a second round of application will be called in early April in the following year. The result will be announced in mid May. Application forms are downloadable from College Webpage during application periods, or can be obtained from Mrs Eastre T Y Chan, United College (Tel: 3943 8657).

United College Early Career Research Excellence Award was set up in 2018 to promote research excellence and to recognize and honour outstanding academic staff members of United College at the outset of their independent research careers. The Award was established with the generous donation from Mr Joseph W N Cheung, College Trustee, and will be given out annually to a promising early career scholar of United College. Applications are invited in February to April and the results will be announced in August every year. Application forms and guidelines are downloadable from College Webpage, or can be obtained from Mrs Eastre T Y Chan, Dean of Students’ Office, United College (Tel: 3943 8657).

Under the sponsorship of United College Endowment Fund, the College invites one internationally renowned scholar each year for academic exchange activities.  The invited scholar is provided with return air tickets as well as accommodation and living allowance.  The visitation arrangements will be jointly worked out by the Distinguished Visiting Scholar Committee and the nominator, usually include two public lectures and meetings with faculty members and students.  Nomination forms are downloadable from College Webpage, for questions, please contact Mr George W Y Lam, Secretary of the Distinguished Visiting Scholar Committee (Tel: 3943 7598).

Website of the scheme, please click here.

This scheme was set up in 2005 to encourage College staff to actively participate in research activities and publish their findings. It is hoped that such activities will enhance their professional and academic standing and help them to gain recognition for their works. Application forms are downloadable from College Webpage, or can be obtained from Ms Amy M Y Luk, Secretary of College Publications Committee (Tel: 3943 8654).

The aim of the scheme is to provide financial support to staff of the College who may need to engage undergraduates of United College as helpers in research or administrative projects. The award rate for a student helper is currently HK$63 per hour (including HK$3 as MPF). The scheme is administered by the Committee on Student Campus Work Scheme. The two exercises of application in each financial year will usually open in May and November. Application forms are downloadable from College Webpage, or can be obtained from Mrs Eastre T Y Chan, Secretary of the Committee on Student Campus Work Scheme (Tel: 3943 8657).

College members who wish to invite renowned scholars visiting Hong Kong to give lectures or conduct seminars for their departments may apply for financial support from the Speaker’s Fund. The subsidy for each application (normally not exceeding HK$3,000) can be used to cover entertainment, publicity or other expenses related to the event. All expenses should be reimbursed on an accountable basis. Applications are welcome all year round. To apply, please submit an application letter with the speaker’s CV to Mr Tony M H Chan, College Secretary at least one month before the event. For enquiries, please contact Mrs Eastre T Y Chan, United College at 3943 8657.

The Social Fund was set up with the aim of fostering personal interaction and strengthening contacts among teachers and students of United College outside of the classroom. As such, it covers expenses incurred by teaching and administrative staff of United College while engaged in consultation, tutorial and such other legitimate activities in relation to their teaching and mentoring duties. The yearly budget is $1,000 per staff member but the maximum claim is $100 per person per occasion. Additional funds have been allocated to supervisors of GEUC4011, College Coordinators, Wardens, PE Teachers as well as leaders of study tours. Application for reimbursement should be submitted to the College Dean of Students’ Office before 15 June 2021. Application forms and further details are downloadable from College webpage, or can be obtained from Ms Vivian Lam, Dean of Students’ Office, United College (Tel: 3943 7581).

The United College Staff Residence is located on United Road opposite Hang Seng Hall. There are 20 family units at the Residence for United College staff who are not entitled to other housing benefits, and for visitors. The College is responsible for the management of the staff residence. For enquiries on the rental of visitor flats, please contact Mr Ken K W Chan, Dean of Students’ Office at 3943 1288.

Thanks to the generous donations of College staff members and support from the College Endowment Fund, the College set up an Emergency Loan Scheme for terms of service B and C staff in 2004. The purpose of this Scheme is to provide short-time financial relief to staff in need, especially at times of unexpected family predicaments.

The Tien Chi Microcomputer Laboratory, located at the ground floor of United College Wu Chung Library, opens Mondays through Saturdays. The Laboratory is equipped with the latest models of computers, printers (including a 3-D printer), scanners, a wide range of multimedia facilities and more than one hundred items of computer software for United College students, staff and members of Alumni Association.