Call for Proposals

Submit your project proposal for SSC Living Lab funding if you have a sustainable project idea to enhance our campus as a platform for learning and innovation. All staff, faculty, and alumni are welcome to form a team, with each team including a full-time HKUST staff member.

If you have an idea, please fill in the final proposal form, download it [click HERE] and send it to ssc@ust.hk

Address this year’s Challenge Statements:  Teams may propose Living Lab projects that address any of the HKUST 2028 Sustainability Challenges

Additional favorable weighting will be given to proposals that can successfully explore solutions to Challenge Statements prepared by our Living Lab partners. 

See presentation slides for these Challenge Statements and see below a snapshot: 

Swire Properties’ Challenge Statement: 

How can we develop innovative, energy-efficient solutions to optimize building air-conditioning systems? 

Focus areas include: 

• Energy-efficient dehumidification methods for fresh air, such as advanced water extraction/recovery technologies, membrane technologies, or regenerative desiccant systems. 

• Pollutant and particulate removal technologies that reduce the reliance on fresh air intake while maintaining indoor air quality, such as CO2 capture systems 

• Technologies to minimize fan energy consumption and improve overall system efficiency, such as duct silencer replacements, air duct sealants,. 

Campus Service Office Challenge Statement 

• How can we provide a user-friendly lunchbox cleaning system for personal food containers in order to promote a culture of “Bring Your Own Lunchbox” on campus? 

Campus Management Office Challenge Statements 

• Focus area 1: How can we develop innovative, energy-efficient dehumidifying desiccant that can regenerate (get rid of the absorbed moisture) at a lower temperature? 

• Focus area 2: How can we keep workers safer by removing or reducing their need to tackle high-risk jobs such as high-level cleaning and water tank cleaning? 

• Focus area 3: How can we improve our waste data tracking in student halls and staff quarters using a smart technology to track the large waste bins? 

If the challenge statements for this year do not align with your expertise and interests, our Living Lab program offer participants to choose from 5 core key themes from the hKUST 2028 Challenge Areas:

1. Biodiversity and Nature

2. Energy and Decarbonization 

3. Smart Living and Wellness 

4. Waste and Circularity 

5. Water Management and Conservation 

With some points relating to our 2028 Sustainability challenges, you can read more details about it here.