2025 FDCT and MOST Joint Funding Scheme for Scientific Research Projects （FDCT-MOST Projects）

Dear leaders and colleagues:

Our university has received notification from the Macau Science and Technology Development Fund(FDCT) that applications for the 2025 Macao Science and Technology Development Fund(FDCT) and the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China(MOST) (2025 FDCT-MOST Projects). In addition, we would like to remind you that colleagues who are interested in applying for the application must fill out the online system（https://apps.fdct.gov.mo/subsidy/public/index.html#/）and obtain the approval from your Faculty/ Research Institute/ Research Supervisor of Department, then send the recommendation form (including the opinions and signatures), as well as related attachments should be submitted on or before December  1, 2025 to RTAO David Xu(yuanxu@must.edu.mo).

 Please check the FDCT website for more details.https://www.fdct.gov.mo/zh_tw/external_cooperation_details/article/most.html

1.       The funding amount approved by the FDCT is not more than MOP2.5 million and shall not be higher than the funding amount applied for. The funding term of the Scheme does not exceed three years.

2. Within 5 years prior to the start of the application period, the project leader from Macao and the project leader from the Mainland China must have a foundation of prior cooperation, which may include: co-authored papers, books, or papers accepted by journals; co-applied patents; co-applied project funding; co-supervised graduate students; and co-organized academic activities. The application form must include relevant supporting documents.

3.  Supported Fields are Information and Communication Technology, where the primary academic discipline codes under the “Primary Academic Discipline” completed in the “Online Application System for Project Funding” must be 413, 510 and 520, and Life Sciences and Medicine, where the primary academic discipline codes under the “Primary Academic Discipline” completed in the “Online Application System for Project Funding” must be 180, 190, 210, 220, 230, 240, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350 and 360. Priority will be given to projects focusing on the following:Projects that leverage scientific resources from mainland China to resolve critical technological challenges impeding Macao´s social and economic development. Projects closely aligned with industrial and application needs that contribute to forming intellectual property or relevant technical standards. Collaborative projects with novel perspectives, innovative content, interdisciplinary scope, and potential for practical application and commercialization. Types of Projects Not Supported: Basic infrastructure projects, projects focused solely on equipment procurement, policy and management research in soft sciences, and projects solely aimed at market promotion are not eligible for funding.

4.  The lead applicant from Macau must negotiate with the Mainland partner on research content, the research plan, and the division of responsibilities. They must sign a cooperation agreement, memorandum of understanding, or letter of intent, which must include specific provisions on intellectual property rights.

5.  If the project is participated by a commercial entrepreneur or commercial enterprise of Macao, the supporting input shall not be less than 10% of the amount funded by the FDCT.

6.  The project leader in Macau can only undertake one joint funding from the FDCT-MOST at the same time. After submitting the completion report for the relevant project, they can then apply for a new project as the project leader. However, there are no restrictions on participating in such projects as project members.

7. Mainland China partners must also submit their application to the Ministry. For detailed application procedures, please refer to the Ministry's relevant regulations.

8.  The project title, collaborating entities, project leaders, and project duration must be consistent across both Macau and Mainland China’s application forms.

9.  The expected outcomes must include intellectual property, technical standards, prototypes, models, or formulas. The project must set clear quantitative goals for outputs, and after implementation, the project should yield certain economic and social benefits.

Thank you for your kind attention. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.