State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City (University of Macau)

Guidelines for Open Research Project Applications 2025 – 2026

I. Introduction

The State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City (University of Macau) (hereinafter referred to as “The Lab”), is the first national State Key Laboratory in China dedicated to the field of Internet of Things (IoT) for smart cities. Through technological innovation and a focus on fundamental scientific problems, The Lab revolves around five core research directions: Intelligent Sensing and Network Communication, Urban Big Data and Intelligent Technology, Smart Energy, Intelligent Transportation, and Public Safety and Disaster Prevention. Its primary objective is to develop cutting-edge IoT technologies essential for building smart cities, while proposing fundamental and common theories, algorithms, and systems, and creating demonstration applications for smart cities. By deeply integrating IoT modules, The Lab strives to realize diverse intelligent applications, promote the intelligence and interconnectivity of Macao society, and make unique contributions to the development of the Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao Greater Bay Area.

Under the development policy “openness, union, mobility, and competition”, The Lab encourages interdisciplinary and high-quality academic research. It actively facilitates cooperation and exchanges with domestic and international research institutions, aiming to explore new research areas, establish novel technological platforms, and drive technological advancements in related fields. These efforts are aimed at achieving a series of high-quality independent innovations, thereby supporting the knowledge transfer and economic development of Macao.

In pursuit of this objective, The Lab has recently released its Guidelines for Open Research Project Application 2023 (This Guideline) and is currently inviting applications in various research domains. The Lab strongly encourages researchers, both from domestic and international backgrounds, with a keen interest in the IoT field for smart cities to proactively submit their applications. We eagerly anticipate partnering with exceptional research teams to collectively advance the progress of this field.

II. Eligibility

  1. The Call for Open Research Project (hereinafter referred to as “The Project”) is open to researchers from domestic and international universities, academic institutions, enterprises, etc. The applicant must be a holder of a doctorate’s degree or have been working in a position of assistant professor or above.
  2. Applicants are encouraged to carry out the research collaboration with members of The Lab and there must have at least one full-time faculty member of The Lab as a collaborator (hereinafter referred to as “Collaborator”) for each project.
  3. The Project concerned shall conform to the research directions of The Lab. The projects leading to significant and frontier research outputs, having potential for international collaboration, or the PI being an excellent young scientist will be preferred for financial support.
  4. The application proposals shall be submitted through email. PIs shall seek endorsement from their organizations by stamping on the application form before submitting the proposals to The Lab.

III. Scope of The Project

Following key areas have been identified, including but not limited to:

  1. Intelligent sensing and network communication
  2. Urban big data and intelligent technology
  3. Smart energy
  4. Intelligent transportation
  5. Public safety and disaster prevention

IV. Application procedure

  1. Applicants download and fill out the “SKL-IoTSC Application Form for the Open Research Project” through the website (https://skliotsc.um.edu.mo/orp-application-procedures-2025-2026/) and submit the completed application proposal to The Lab after stamping on the application form.
  2. This open call will be closed on 25 August 2024.
  3. The project proposals will be reviewed and assessed by SKL-IoTSC ORP Review Committee (hereinafter referred to as “The Committee”). The list of approved projects will be announced on The Lab’s website and the notifications will be delivered to PIs via email in due course.

V. Financial support and project duration

  1. The grant released for the approved project is for the specific project within the stipulated period. The released grant should be exclusively spent on The Project in accordance with the financial guidelines of the University of Macau (UM) and the Management Methods for Open Research Project 2025-2026 (hereinafter referred to as “The Method”).
  2. The maximum grant of each project shall not exceed MOP 50,000. The PI shall be responsible for the fund utilization and management in accordance with the relevant financial regulations. PIs/Institutions receiving funds would assume financial and other administrative responsibility for The Project.
  3. The Project should be time-bound normally for a duration of 24 months and will commence on 1 January 2025.
  4. The PI will be required to furnish a progress report and a final report on all aspects of The Project including expenditure incurred on various approved items during the period.
  5. Upon completion of the project, it is crucial that all allocated funding be fully utilized. Failure to do so may result in the non-issuance of the project closure certificate. In the case of any leftover balances, IOTSC reserves the right to manage them centrally.

VI. Knowledge management and sharing

  1. During the execution of The Project, the generated intangible items include, but are not limited to, research records, relevant information, datasets, software, and evaluation reports, which would be jointly owned by both UM and PI organizations and are governed by the norms and regulations of UM.
  2. The research outputs and know-how generated from The Project would be the property owned jointly by both UM and PI organizations, utilization of know-how requires a new mutual agreement in writing.

VII. Acknowledgements

  1. The PI is encouraged to publish high-quality research papers jointly with the Collaborator of The Lab, apply for awards and patents, and accelerate knowledge transfer.
  2. The acknowledgments for publications, awards, patents, and knowledge transfer shall be: The research outputs of this Open Research Project Programme are funded by the Science and Technology Development Fund (001/2024/SKL) and the State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City (University of Macau) Open Research Project (Ref. No.: SKL-IoTSC(UM)/ORP/XX/2025)

VIII. Other provisions

  1. For matters not addressed in This Guideline, please contact The Lab at Tel: +853 8822 4200; Email: iotsc.enquiry@um.edu.mo
  2. Subject to the nature of The Project that the research must be accomplished together with the Collaborator of The Lab. Hence, the DL No.122/84/M dated 15/12/1984, subsequently amended by the Law No. 5/2021 (Regime das despesas obras e aquisicão de bens e serviços) is not applicable.
  3. This Guideline is made in English and Chinese. In case of any discrepancy or inconsistency between the two versions, the English version shall prevail.
  4. The State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City (University of Macau) reserves all rights for final explanation.

IX. Contact information

The address： State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City (University of Macau)

University of Macau, N21-5012

Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau, China

Telephone： +853 8822 4200

Email address：iotsc.enquiry@um.edu.mo

Attachment: [Guidelines for IOTSC ORP 2025-2026]