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Innovation and Technology CommissionActive

STEM Internship Scheme

A university-administered allowance for eligible STEM student internships; it is not unrestricted cash paid to the startup.

Visit official websiteLast verified: 2026-08-25

Official facts

Quick Facts

Provider
Innovation and Technology Commission
Programme type
Internship / Subsidy / rebate
Target stage
MVP / Pre-seed / Seed / Early growth
Maximum support
HK$11,790 per month from 1 April 2026, for up to 90 days per academic year subject to institution arrangements
Duration
Up to 90 days per academic year
Matching required
No
Equity required
No
Hong Kong company required
Not publicly specified
Company age limit
Not publicly specified
Team requirement
Internship and student eligibility are administered by participating institutions
Application status
Active
Application model
Rolling

Editorial analysis

Who is it for?

This fit analysis is based on published eligibility and programme positioning. It is not an admission guarantee.

Employers able to provide substantive, supervised STEM internships.

Founder profile
StudentFounder teamExisting business owner
Stage fit
MVPPre-seedSeedEarly growth
Sector fit
AI / Machine LearningSaaSSoftwareDeep TechRoboticsHardwareFinTechGreenTechSemiconductorsNew MaterialsManufacturingLogisticsSupply ChainBiotechnologyHealthTech
These fit tags are our interpretation of published eligibility, not an official commitment.

Who is probably not a good fit?

Teams outside the published applicant, sector, stage or company conditions should not apply solely because of the headline support. Check the current guide and weigh administration, cash-flow and reporting costs.

Financial and operating support

Maximum support
HK$11,790 per month from 1 April 2026, for up to 90 days per academic year subject to institution arrangements
Payment model
Not reimbursement-based
Stackability
An employer may combine interns with other team members, but cannot claim the same wage cost under another public scheme.
Double funding and cash flow
ITC reimburses participating institutions; allowance delivery to the student follows the institution's arrangements, not a direct startup cash grant.

Eligibility

Published requirements

  • employer offering eligible Hong Kong STEM internship
  • Internship and student eligibility are administered by participating institutions
Practical recommendation

Before investing in an application, verify applicant entity, company age, team, IP, budget, matching cash and eligible costs. Ask the programme directly about anything not published.

Editorial analysis

Application process

Unless an official guide says otherwise, this is an application-preparation framework, not an official assessment sequence or timing promise.

  1. 1

    Read the latest programme page and guide

  2. 2

    Confirm applicant, stage and sector eligibility

  3. 3

    Prepare project, team, budget and supporting evidence

  4. 4

    Apply through the official channel and answer assessment requests

  5. 5

    After admission, follow the agreement for milestones, reporting and claims

Sources

Official Resource Library

We provide official links, versions and structured explanations only. Original documents are not rehosted.

This page provides a plain-language interpretation of official materials. The official source remains authoritative.

Official webpage

STEM Internship Scheme official programme source

The provider's official programme page for checking current purpose, eligibility, support and application access.

Original language
English
Version
Not publicly specified
Published
2026-04-01
Last verified
2026-08-25
View official document

Related programmes

Pilot Innovation and Technology Accelerator Scheme (PITAS)Funds experienced accelerator operators to establish Hong Kong bases. The 2026 call is closed, and ordinary startups are not the direct funding applicants.Enterprise Support Scheme (ESS)Dollar-for-dollar support for in-house R&D by Hong Kong companies; it is not general operating capital.Research Talent Hub for Technology Companies (RTH-TC)Reimburses eligible full-time R&D talent remuneration. Founders, shareholders and management cannot be the subsidised talent.Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU)University-channelled funding for teams commercialising technology and R&D outcomes at six participating universities.

Relevant strategies

AI / Software / SaaSValidate demand cheaply and use cloud credits before choosing HKSTP, Cyberport or institutional capital.

Related official updates

Government launches Pilot Innovation and Technology Accelerator Scheme2026-01-29 · Innovation and Technology CommissionHYAB launches Youth Start-up Internship Programme 20262026-01-15 · Home and Youth Affairs Bureau

Related visa and status guides

Starting a company or receiving support does not automatically create visa, extension or permanent-residence eligibility. Immigration decisions remain case-specific.

Immigration Arrangements for Non-local GraduatesA work and stay route for non-local graduates of Hong Kong institutions.General Employment PolicyAn employment route generally based on a genuine professional role with a Hong Kong employer.Quality Migrant Admission SchemeAn admission route for highly skilled or talented applicants.Hong Kong permanent residence and right of abodeUnderstand ordinary residence, the seven-year requirement and long-term status planning.

Sources and maintenance

Each programme links to a primary source and records the current page or guide version. Editorial strategy is maintained separately from official facts.

This knowledge base provides general business information, not legal, tax, accounting, investment or immigration advice. Obtain professional advice before signing shareholder, investment, IP, employment or funding documents.