Key Takeaways:
- CSI is a government grant scheme administered by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) (restructured from Create Hong Kong in June 2024).
- As of end-June 2025, roughly HK$6.4 billion has been injected into CSI since 2009; 823 projects have been approved involving around HK$3.68 billion in funding (official government fact sheet).
- From 1 April 2026, applications move to four fixed rounds per year (deadlines: last calendar day of March, June, September, December). Project start dates must fall 6–12 months after the relevant deadline.
- Only locally registered Hong Kong institutions or companies (under the Companies Ordinance Cap. 622) can apply. Projects already covered by the Film Development Fund or other dedicated schemes are excluded.
- Funding is normally a grant paid by instalments and covers the net approved project cost after deducting expected income and other sponsorship.
Hong Kong was once the Hollywood of the East. Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li turned martial arts cinema into a global export, and the city’s creative energy, from film sets in Kowloon to design studios in Wong Chuk Hang, still pulses with that same restless spirit. The government is actively rebuilding that momentum through the CreateSmart Initiative (CSI), one of the main funding engines for cultural and creative industries.
If you run (or plan to start) a Hong Kong company in advertising, architecture, design, digital entertainment, music, publishing, printing, television or related fields, CSI is worth a close look.
What is the CreateSmart initiative?
Established in June 2009, CSI provides financial support for projects that advance Hong Kong’s cultural and creative industries and reinforce its position as Asia’s creative capital. It is now administered by CCIDA under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.
Strategic foci that applications must align with (official CSI portal):
- Nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups
- Exploring markets
- Promoting cross-sectoral and cross-genre collaboration
- Promoting Hong Kong as Asia’s creative capital and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community
Successful projects have supported design awards, animation production schemes (including AI-assisted ones), comic and publishing programmes, fashion and art-toy initiatives, international pavilion participation, music incubation, and community design exhibitions.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must normally be locally registered institutions or organisations established or incorporated under Hong Kong law (including the Companies Ordinance Cap. 622). This includes:
- Local academic institutes
- Industry support organisations and trade/professional associations
- Research institutes
- Locally established companies
- CCIDA and other government departments
Important exclusions: Project elements covered by the Film Development Fund, Film Guarantee Fund, Innovation and Technology Fund, Arts Development Fund (Cultural Exchange), Hong Kong Arts Development Council grants, or any other dedicated government scheme (or projects already receiving other government funding) will not be considered.
Practical tip for founders: You need a properly registered Hong Kong company to be eligible. Get Started HK specialises in fast, remote-friendly company incorporation and ongoing compliance, the essential first step before any CSI application. Start your Hong Kong company registration here.
Application Process (Updated for 2026 & 2027)
Applications are submitted online via the computerised system on the official CSI portal (csi.ccidahk.gov.hk).
Application Rounds & Project Start Window (Effective 1 April 2026)
From 1 April 2026, CSI operates under a fixed four-round mechanism per calendar year. Project event start dates must fall at least 6 months and no more than 12 months after the relevant application deadline.
| Application Round | Submission Deadline | Eligible Project Start Date Window |
| Round 1 | March 31 | October 1 (Current Year) – March 31 (Next Year) |
| Round 2 | June 30 | January 1 – June 30 (Next Year) |
| Round 3 | September 30 | April 1 – September 30 (Next Year) |
| Round 4 | December 31 | July 1 – December 31 (Next Year) |
Key Notification Window: Results are normally notified in writing approximately 16 weeks after the round deadline (for complete applications).
Transitional Rule: Projects with event start dates on or before 31 December 2026 may still be submitted under transitional arrangements no later than 30 June 2026.
Funding Thresholds: Grants are disbursed in instalments covering net approved project costs. Requests exceeding HK$10 million generally require approval from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council.
How Applications Are Assessed
The CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee (professionals, private-sector representatives, academics and relevant public members) assesses applications and monitors approved projects. Key considerations include:
- Alignment with CSI strategic foci
- Budget feasibility
- Whether the project duplicates existing work
- Organisation and planning quality
- Capability and experience of the project team
The Committee recommends to the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism. The government has final discretion on approval and amount.
CSI vs Film Development Fund – Quick Comparison
| Aspect | CreateSmart Initiative (CSI) | Film Development Fund (incl. FPFS / FS 2.0) |
| Primary purpose | Broad cultural & creative industries projects | Film production and film-industry development |
| Who can apply | Locally registered HK companies, institutes, associations, etc. | Hong Kong-registered film production companies |
| Track record | Not strictly required (team capability assessed) | Applicant / producer / director usually need ≥2 previously released films |
| Project type | Design, animation support schemes, publishing, music, advertising, cross-sector events, etc. | Feature-length narrative or animation films (generally ≥80 mins) intended for theatrical release |
| Key restrictions | Cannot overlap with dedicated schemes such as FDF | Specific HK permanent resident requirements for director and main cast/crew; commercial viability + third-party financing |
| Administered by | CCIDA (CSI Secretariat) | Hong Kong Film Development Council / CCIDA film teams |
If your project is pure film production, the Film Development Fund is normally the correct route. Always check the latest official guides.
Why This Matters for Hong Kong Creatives
Hong Kong’s creative industries employ over 200,000 people and contribute meaningfully to GDP. Government support through CSI and related schemes is deliberately industry-oriented: nurture talent, open markets, encourage collaboration, and strengthen Hong Kong’s role as an East-meets-West cultural hub under the National 14th Five-Year Plan.
Jackie Chan’s generation proved Hong Kong storytelling could travel the world. Today’s designers, animators, publishers, musicians and digital creators have access to structured funding, mentoring programmes and international platforms that earlier generations largely built themselves. CSI is one of the clearest routes to that support, provided you have a properly registered local entity and a project that clearly advances the scheme’s goals.
Next Steps
- Confirm your project does not fall under a dedicated scheme such as the Film Development Fund.
- Ensure you have (or set up) a Hong Kong-registered company — Get Started HK handles incorporation quickly and remotely.
- Download the latest CSI Guide and templates from the official portal (csi.ccidahk.gov.hk) and review the current application rounds and project-start timing rules.
- Prepare a clear proposal that maps directly to the four strategic foci, with a realistic budget and strong team credentials.
Primary sources
- CreateSmart Initiative official portal: csi.ccidahk.gov.hk
- Hong Kong Government Creative Industries Fact Sheet (latest available figures)
- Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency: ccidahk.gov.hk
Official contacts for enquiries: createsmart@ccidahk.gov.hk or the numbers listed on the CSI site (separate lines for design vs non-design initiatives).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need a Hong Kong company to apply for CSI?
Yes. Applicants must normally be a body or company established or incorporated under Hong Kong laws (including the Companies Ordinance Cap. 622). Foreign entities without a local registration are not eligible.
2. When can I apply under the new 2026 system?
From 1 April 2026 there are four rounds per year with deadlines on the last calendar day of March, June, September and December. Your project’s event start date must fall 6–12 months after the deadline of the round you apply in.
3. Can the same project receive both CSI and Film Development Fund money?
No. Projects (or project elements) covered by the Film Development Fund or other dedicated government schemes are excluded from CSI.
4. How long does it take to get a decision?
For complete applications under the new mechanism, the Secretariat normally notifies applicants in writing about 16 weeks after the round deadline.
5. Is there a maximum grant amount?
Most applications have no published fixed ceiling, but any request exceeding HK$10 million is generally submitted to the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council for approval.
6. Where can I download the official application forms and guide?
All current documents (CSI Guide, application form template, report templates) are available on the official CreateSmart Initiative portal: csi.ccidahk.gov.hk.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial or professional advice. Funding rules, eligibility criteria, application procedures and available amounts are subject to change by the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency. Always refer to the latest official CSI Guide, application forms and announcements on csi.ccidahk.gov.hk before applying. Get Started HK is an independent company formation service provider and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the CCIDA or the CreateSmart Initiative.
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