PASS opens application for new project proposals

The deadline for the new round of applications is 28 February 2025.

The main programme under the Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme (PASS) is now accepting a new round of applications for project proposals from non-profit organisations, including professional bodies, trade and industrial organisations, and research institutes.

PASS, with a total allocation of $200m, aims at funding non-profit-making industry-led projects to increase exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong's professional services and external counterparts, promote relevant publicity activities, and enhance the standards and external competitiveness of Hong Kong's professional services.

The maximum grant for each approved project under the main programme of PASS is $3m, or 90% of the total eligible project cost, whichever is lower.

A wide range of professional services, such as accounting, legal and dispute resolution, architecture, engineering, healthcare, information and communications technology, design and technical testing and analysis, are eligible for the main programme.

Sector-specific projects and cross-sectoral projects are also accepted as well.

Expenses directly incurred for implementing a project, such as manpower costs, venue and set-up costs, production and promotion costs, and the project team and active participants' travel and accommodation costs outside Hong Kong, are typically eligible for funding support under the scheme.

Funding support may also be provided for travel and accommodation costs incurred by participants of relatively longer professional internships or attachment programmes outside Hong Kong that are funded by the main programme.

Up to early November 2024, over 110 projects had been funded under the main programme, including project deliverables in and outside Hong Kong.

The deliverables include capacity-building programmes for enhancing the standards of local professionals, such as training programmes, workshops, and study tours.

Aside from this, it also includes outreach and promotional activities for showcasing the strengths of Hong Kong's professional services, such as roadshows, promotional seminars, and participation in exhibitions outside Hong Kong.

It also has exchange activities for deepening interaction between Hong Kong professionals and their external counterparts, such as visits to other economies and international conferences and seminars held in Hong Kong; and research projects on potential external markets for Hong Kong professional services and the development of best practice guidelines and manuals for professionals.

To enhance the promotion of Hong Kong's strengths and professional services to Mainland cities, including those in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and overseas markets, $50m has been allocated to the Professionals Participation Subsidy (PSP) Programme under PASS.

This funding will subsidise Hong Kong’s major professional bodies to participate in relevant activities organised by the government, such as Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, after the pandemic situation has stabilised.

The deadline for the new round of applications is 28 February 2025.