In addition to the HK$10 million prize pool for each raceday, a new Triple Trio jackpot and a HK$2.8 million jackpot will be added to the Quartet & First 4 Merged Pool. The total prize pool for all eight racedays is expected to reach HK$20.8 million.
The HK$1 billion first prize will be paid out in two equal installments: the first in June and the second in September. The winning units will be accumulated and the jackpot prize will be added to the next draw if there is no winner in the previous draw. If the jackpot prize is not won, it will be transferred to a bonus fund.
Hong Kong is home to some of the world’s leading researchers, and the government is devoted to supporting them. The Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC) provides a variety of funding schemes for academics. Its funding criteria includes evaluation of candidates’ academic achievements and research proposals. It also places an emphasis on assessing independence, exploration, creativity, and innovation.
This year, RGC awarded over HK$5 billion to more than 1,600 research projects, including the first Xplorer Prize, initiated by Pony Ma of Tencent, alongside renowned scientists. Xplorer Prize is designed to recognise and reward young and promising scientists who demonstrate outstanding leadership in scientific research, and encourage them to continue their research journey with renewed passion.
BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize (STIP) is a non-governmental merit-based award that aims to reward outstanding scientists and research teams in Hong Kong or research-related institutions set up by Hong Kong higher education institutions, and located in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, for their significant achievements in scientific and technological innovation and transformation.
The 2025 HKU Foundation Publication Award gives due recognition to RPg students who have published journal articles of high quality in the research field related to their thesis study. Up to twenty awards, each worth HK$5,000, can be made each year. Applicants should have submitted an article in the period between January 1 and December 31, 2024. The by-line should clearly show their affiliation with HKU.
Several renowned scholars have nominated five Hongkongers for the Nobel Peace Prize this year, for their fervent dedication in protecting freedoms and campaigning for democracy. They include Jimmy Lai, Chow Hang-tung, Lee Cheuk-yan, Gwyneth Ho and Joshua Wong. Some of them were arrested during protests last year. During that time, the media were accused of presenting one-sided news and failing to report the truth of events in an objective manner. Reuters, for example, was widely condemned for publishing pictures of police violence against protesters in Mong Kok, with the caption: “A masked man is being attacked by a police officer.” The pictures were actually taken at another protest location. This incident highlighted the double standards and bias of Western media. Many people also questioned the credibility of Pulitzer Prize winners, including the 2020 award winner for Breaking News Photography.