Last updated: 21 July 2026
What a funded school actually signed up for under the AI for Empowering Learning and Teaching Funding Programme (「『智』啟學教」撥款計劃): the deadlines, the five commitments, what the HK$500,000 may buy, and how to turn it into classroom results.
Applications closed on 28 February 2026 and results were released by 31 March 2026, with funds disbursed by 30 June 2026. Funded schools may spend until 31 August 2028, across the 2025/26 to 2027/28 school years. Two checkpoints are fixed: a mid-term report due 30 September 2027 and a final report due 30 September 2028. Schools that received the funding are now in the delivery phase — the planning done this year determines what those two reports can show.
Every participating school signed five undertakings: put AI-empowered education into the School Development Plan or Annual Plan; run AI-assisted teaching in at least three subjects, each covering at least two year levels, with at least six teaching examples or resources; hold at least three open or demonstration classes across three subjects; run at least three experience-sharing sessions; and organise at least two student AI-literacy activities. The circular states the EDB may require a full refund of the grant if commitments are not fulfilled.
The circular lists five purchase categories — AI software, hardware, platforms, learning and teaching resources, and school-based AI application solutions — plus subsidies for student AI-literacy activities. The EDB's February 2026 clarification adds two useful notes: schools are not required to build their own language models, and packaged one-size solutions deserve careful professional judgement. Schools must keep a separate ledger and retain records for at least seven years, and may top up with the recurrent Composite IT Grant.
Criteva is a teacher-founded Hong Kong provider. We compare tools against your curriculum, Cantonese needs, data policy and total cost before any purchase; build the six-plus resources across your chosen subjects and levels; prepare teachers around the actual lessons they will teach; support the open and demonstration classes; and keep adoption and outcome evidence organised so the 2027 and 2028 reports write themselves.
No. The application window closed on 28 February 2026. Criteva focuses on delivery for schools that already hold the grant, through the end of the 2027/28 school year. Unused balances are clawed back to the Quality Education Fund after 31 August 2028.
Under Circular 221/2025, the EDB may require the school to refund the full grant to the Quality Education Fund. The mid-term report (September 2027) and final report (September 2028) are the checkpoints, so a realistic plan works backwards from those dates.
We will help you turn it into a practical scope for tools, lessons, teacher preparation and evidence.