Professor Chou Kee-lee secures HK$5.3 Million RGC funding for loneliness intervention project

The Research Grants Council (RGC) announced the funding results for earlier applications to the Research Impact Fund (RIF) 2024/25 on 27 December 2024. Out of 175 proposals submitted, 14 projects received funding in this round of the RIF exercise. Professor Chou Kee-lee from the Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies (SSPS) distinguished himself through a rigorous selection process. The project team, led and coordinated by Professor Chou, has secured HK$5.3 million in funding from the RGC, highlighting the team’s exceptional academic merit and the project’s potential contributions to society.

Professor Chou’s project, titled “Alleviating Loneliness in Older Adults Living in Poverty: A Multi-level Intervention”, has received HK$5.3 million in funding from the RGC. In this four-year project, Professor Chou’s team aims to conduct a single-blinded cluster, four-arm randomised controlled trial designed to test the effect and cost-effectiveness of a multi-level intervention aimed at alleviating loneliness among Hong Kong Chinese older adults living in poverty. This study will establish a solid foundation for the large-scale implementation of an effective, accessible, affordable, and scalable intervention by capitalising on community social capital.

While The Education University of Hong Kong coordinates the project, scholars from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The University of Hong Kong and The Polytechnic University of Hong Kong collaborate in the project. The RGC funds 70% of the project cost while university partners will match the remaining 30%.

The RIF aims to encourage local academics to articulate the potential benefits of research for the wider community, promote impactful and translational research projects, and foster greater collaboration beyond academia through partnerships with government departments, the business sector, the industry, and other research institutes.

“As we move forward, I encourage faculty members to tap into your full potential to engage in impactful research and continue to enhance in the research capacity and vibrancy of the University. The RGC offers various levels of large-scale research grants beyond the usual Early Career Scheme (ECS) / General Research Fund (GRF), including the Collaborative Research Fund (CRF), Theme-based Research Scheme (TRS), Strategic Topics Grant (STG) and Research Fellow Scheme (RFS) / Senior Research Fellow Scheme (SRFS), in addition to the RIF. Your unwavering efforts are indispensable to our success, and I am excited to see more incredible work we will accomplish together, as we elevate the university to new heights,” said Professor Chetwyn Chan, Vice President (Research and Development).

“Professor Chou has dedicated many years to researching the pressing issue of loneliness among older adults in Hong Kong living in poverty, and has demonstrated exceptional quality in his work. I am pleased to know that our scholars are engaged in a wide range of impactful projects across various disciplines. Together, we are making significant strides in our research capacity and output, positively impacting society,” said Dean of FLASS Professor Li Wai-keung while conveying his warmest congratulations to Professor Chou and his team on their latest achievement.