Hong Kong’s two medical schools, which have been important critical voices in global public health policy, have received significant government support for 26 studies related to Covid-19. The Health and Medical Research Fund-approved HK$111 million (Rs.108 crore) for the University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine (HKU Med) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Faculty of Medicine (CU Medicine).

The funds are intended for use over the next two years, according to a government release. The research will include the development of vaccine and antiviral candidates, as well as investigations into how the city has largely controlled the virus. As of April 29, Hong Kong recorded no new infections for four consecutive days and is likely to reopen some schools soon.

“Riding on previous research experience and Hong Kong’s world-class expertise in medical research, the commissioned research studies on Covid-19 should be able to generate timely scientific knowledge and evidence in battling the epidemic,” says Sophia Chan, secretary for food and health and a former assistant dean at HKU Med. The government says it welcomes Covid-19 research proposals from other universities as well.

Within days of the funding approval, CU Medicine announced its first project under the Health and Medical Research Fund. On April 29, it revealed plans to recruit 3,000 members of the public to take part in an investigation into “hidden” Covid-19 infections.

Francis Chan, dean of CU Medicine, told Times Higher Education that “with the additional funding, we will embark on new projects that will help deepen our understanding of this novel virus and improve clinical guidelines in the various specialties most affected by this pandemic”.

HKU Med in a statement says the grant will help to position Hong Kong at the forefront of research, public health and the prevention of emerging infectious disease across the world. In its latest project, HKU led an international team to develop a new method to track Covid-19 worldwide using big data, says a study published on April 29 in Nature

The new funding comes as Hong Kong universities, like their counterparts round the world, face budget cuts amid economic downturns. Asked about Covid-19 aid for higher education institutions, the Hong Kong University Grants Committee said that it is “monitoring the situation and will consider whether to allocate additional funding to UGCfunded universities for research and other purposes in consultation with stakeholders on a need basis”.