The Innovation & Technology Commission has added two more schemes under the DesignSmart Initiative, making it more user-friendly.

Applications for the General Support and the Professional Continuing Education Schemes will be welcome throughout the year, including those for the standing Design-Business Collaboration Scheme.

Previously applications were invited on a quarterly basis for the General Support Scheme and twice a year for the Professional Continuing Education Scheme.

Funding support

The three schemes, together with the Design Research Scheme which invites applications from time to time under specified themes, provide funding support to design projects under the $250 million DesignSmart Initiative's Design Support Programme.

An InnoCentre will be set up for design clustering. Other new measures include simplified application forms, a pledge to notify application results within 50 working days, and a help-desk (2737 2462) to answer enquiries.

The commission said the measures take into account the industry and design community's need for more flexible arrangements. An assessment panel, chaired by the Commissioner for Innovation & Technology, has been launched to assess applications.