The AI for Empowering Learning and Teaching Funding Programme, Explained
A plain-language guide to the EDB's HK$500,000-per-school AI funding: who qualifies, what the money can buy, the five commitments every participating school signs up to, and the deadlines that matter between now and 2028.
Based on EDB Circular Memorandum No. 221/2025 · Updated July 2026
What Is the Programme?
Announced in the 2025 Policy Address and launched by the Education Bureau in December 2025, the AI for Empowering Learning and Teaching Funding Programme gives publicly-funded primary and secondary schools a one-off HK$500,000 grant to start or accelerate school-based AI-empowered education. It is supported by the Quality Education Fund, which has earmarked HK$2 billion for digital education, with around HK$500 million going to this three-year programme.
The goal is what the EDB calls "AI for ALL subjects": teachers across every subject, not just ICT, using AI effectively to support teaching. Schools choose their own mix of software, hardware, platforms and student activities, and account for the spending through their normal school governance.
Schools received their grants by 30 June 2026 and can spend them until 31 August 2028. The question now is how to use the money well.
Which Schools Are Covered?
The programme is open to publicly-funded primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong. One application per school, signed by the principal with an undertaking to meet the programme's commitments.
- Government schools
- Aided schools, including special schools
- Caput schools
- Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) schools
Kindergartens, private schools and international schools fall outside the programme's scope. Applications closed on 28 February 2026, with results issued by 31 March 2026 and funds disbursed by 30 June 2026.
What the Funding Can Buy
The circular sets out two broad areas: purchasing, subscribing to or leasing AI devices and services that support AI-assisted teaching, and subsidising student AI-literacy activities. In practice, six categories:
Software
AI applications such as AI drawing software
Hardware
AI robot kits, single-board computer AI kits, AI computers
Platforms
AI-empowered learning platforms, whether developed under the QEF e-Learning Ancillary Facilities Programme or by other providers
Learning and teaching resources
AI-related materials that support classroom learning
School-based AI solutions
For example, engaging an external organisation to build a school-based language model. Optional, not required.
Student AI activities
School-organised or school-recognised activities that build students' AI literacy, on or off campus
What it can't pay for
- Resources unrelated to learning and teaching
- Renovation works
- Subsidising teachers or parents to enrol in AI courses, seminars or workshops
- Banquets, courtesy expenses, food and drinks
- Promotional and publicity expenses
- Activities that don't fit learning goals or students' developmental stages
The Five Commitments
Every participating school signed an undertaking to complete these within the programme period. Progress is reported to the EDB in the interim and final reports.
Incorporate "Development of AI-empowered Education" into the School Development Plan and/or Annual School Plan
Implement AI-assisted teaching in at least three subjects or curriculum areas, each covering at least two levels, and develop at least six teaching examples or sets of learning and teaching resources using AI
Conduct at least three open classes or classroom demonstrations on AI-assisted teaching, across at least three subjects, within or outside the school
Organise at least three experience-sharing sessions on AI-assisted teaching, within or outside the school
Host or arrange at least two student activities focused on enhancing AI literacy and skills
Schools that miss reporting deadlines or fail to complete the undertaking may be required to return the full grant to the Quality Education Fund.
Key Dates
From circular to final report, the full programme calendar.
Programme announced
The EDB issues Circular Memorandum No. 221/2025 with the application form and guidelines.
Briefing sessions
EDB briefings for primary and secondary schools at the Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre.
Application deadline
Schools returned a one-page application and signed undertaking by fax or post.
Results issued
Schools were normally notified of the outcome by this date.
Funds disbursed
Successful schools received the one-off HK$500,000 grant.
Implementation
Schools deploy the funding across school years, deliver the five commitments and keep a separate ledger.
Interim report due
Spending breakdown and progress on each commitment, covering 2025/26 to 2026/27.
Funding period ends
Unspent balances lapse and are returned to the Quality Education Fund.
Final report due
Final accounting of spending and completion of all commitments.
Running the Programme Well
The guidelines are principle-based rather than prescriptive. Five habits keep a school comfortably on track:
Plan through normal school governance
Write the spending plan into the Annual School Plan, get SMC/IMC endorsement, and publish the plan and reports on the school website as usual.
Spread the benefit
Don't concentrate the grant on a single item, one department or a small group of students. Higher-cost purchases need prior SMC/IMC approval.
Follow standard procurement
The usual school procurement rules apply, including EDB Circular 4/2013 on procurement procedures and Circular 3/2022 on acceptance of advantages. Compare options and keep the process transparent.
Keep clean books
Maintain a separate ledger for the programme, file invoices and receipts for at least seven years, and avoid double funding for any single item.
Work back from the reports
The interim and final reports ask for spending by category and progress on each commitment. Planning against those forms from day one makes reporting painless.
Where thinka Fits In
thinka is an AI learning platform used by Hong Kong schools for AI-assisted teaching across subjects, so a school subscription sits within the programme's Platforms category. More usefully, our school service is built around the same commitments the programme asks for.
- A platform subscription is an eligible use of the grant under the programme's published scope
- Teacher workshops, open-class support and sharing-session help come bundled with our school service, aimed squarely at the five commitments
- Student AI-literacy activities can be run with our team as school-organised events
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers on the programme's rules, drawn from the official circular.
Last updated July 2026
Can schools still apply?
The application window closed on 28 February 2026 and results went out by 31 March 2026. The EDB has not announced a further application round; schools with questions can call the Information Technology in Education Section on 3698 3606. Schools that already hold the grant have until 31 August 2028 to use it.
What can the funding be spent on?
Purchasing, subscribing to or leasing AI software, hardware, platforms, learning and teaching resources and school-based AI solutions, plus subsidising student AI-literacy activities organised or recognised by the school.
What counts as improper use?
The guidelines name renovations, food and beverages, banquets, publicity expenses, resources unrelated to learning and teaching, and subsidising teachers or parents to attend AI courses. Concentrating the whole grant on one item or a handful of students also goes against the principles.
What happens to unspent money?
Any balance left after 31 August 2028 is returned to the Quality Education Fund. The grant cannot be moved into other school accounts, and a school that misses reports or commitments can be asked to return the full amount.
What reporting is required?
An interim report by 30 September 2027 and a final report by 30 September 2028, each showing spending by category and progress on the five commitments. Schools also keep a separate ledger, file receipts for at least seven years, and include the plan and reports in the Annual School Plan and School Report published on their website.
Do schools have to build their own AI model?
No. School-based AI solutions such as a school language model are one optional category. The EDB has clarified that schools are not required to develop large language models; most schools combine ready-made platforms, devices and student activities.
Is a thinka subscription an eligible expense?
Yes. The programme explicitly covers subscriptions to AI-empowered learning platforms developed by institutions beyond the QEF e-Learning Ancillary Facilities Programme, which is what a thinka school subscription is. If it helps, we're happy to walk through how schools typically structure the spending plan.
Planning How to Use the Grant?
We'll show you what an AI-assisted teaching rollout looks like on thinka, and how schools line it up with the programme's commitments and reports.