funding

research (PI) (total hk$8,829,892)

2025–2027 Hong Kong Government; Environment and Conservation Fund; HK$496,500
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Co-I: Dr. Yik-Hei SUNG (University of Suffolk), Dr. Anthony LAU, Dr. Roger LEE
Environment and Conservation Fund–An overlooked soft spot: uncovering the illegal trade of live softshell turtles and calipees

2025–2026 Research Grants Council; Germany/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme; HK$64,400
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
CO-I: Dr. Roger LEE, Dr. Christian ROOS (University of Goettingen), Dr. Liye ZHANG (German Primate Center)
Refining conservation genetics and wildlife forensic methods to combat the illegal wildlife trade

2024–2026 Lingnan University; Direct Grant; HK$100,000
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Co-I: Dr. Jack IP
Chromosome-level reference genome of the Golden Coin Turtle (Cuora trifasciata)

2023–2025 Hong Kong Government; Lantau Conservation Fund; HK$1,612,660
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Co-I: Dr. Yik-Hei SUNG, Dr. Jia Huan LIEW, Dr. Michael Wai Ning LAU (University of Hong Kong), Dr. Simon SIN (University of Hong Kong)
Conservation of Romer’s tree frogs: Assessment of population status across Lantau and impacts of emerging threats

2023–2025 Hong Kong Government; Environment and Conservation Fund; HK$499,200
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Co-I: Dr. Yik-Hei SUNG
Assessing prevalence of pathogens in endangered freshwater turtle populations

2023–2024 Hong Kong Government; Lantau Conservation Fund; HK$424,700
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Co-I: Dr. Yik-Hei SUNG
An integrative taxonomy approach to clarify the status of the short-legged toad (Boulenophrys brachykolos) population in Lantau

2022–2024 Research Grants Council; General Research Fund; HK$979,627
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
CO-I: Dr. Itzue CAVIEDES-SOLIS, Ivan P. Y. LAM
Disentangling the influence of ecology and evolution on the host-microbiome relationship in amphibians

2021–2023 Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong; Conservation Fund; HK$297,700
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Co-I: Dr. Yik-Hei SUNG, Dr. Duc Minh LE (Vietnam National University), Dr. Robert THOMSON (University of Hawaii)
Assessing the genetic diversity and ecological role of the endangered wattle-necked softshell turtle (Palea steindachneri) through the study of remnant populations

2020–2023 Research Grants Council; General Research Fund; HK$1,032,078
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Co-I: Dr. Yik-Hei SUNG (University of Hong Kong), Dr. Matthew FUJITA (University of Texas at Arlington)
Conservation genomics of two endangered Hong Kong turtles—the big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) and Beal’s eyed turtle (Sacalia bealei)

2019–2021 Hong Kong Government; Environment and Conservation Fund; HK$1,094,304
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Co-I: Dr. Yik-Hei SUNG (University of Hong Kong)
Building a natural history collection of Hong Kong’s amphibians for conservation and education, with a genetic case-study on the endangered Romer’s tree frog (Liuixalus romeri)

2019–2020 Lingnan University; Faculty Research Grant; HK$50,000
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Microbial differences between conventional and organic agriculture in Hong Kong

2019–2020 Croucher Foundation; Chinese Visitorship; HK$144,000
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Co-I: Dr. ZHOU Jing (Qufu Normal University)

2019–2020 Lingnan University; Faculty Research Grant; HK$48,100
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Insights into turtle physiology, ecology, and evolution through comparing the gut microbiome of wild and captive individuals

2019 Lingnan University; Direct Grant; HK$77,718
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Proof of concept–demonstrating the ability to import CITES-protected species to Hong Kong

2019 Croucher Foundation; Chinese Visitorship; HK$144,000
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Co-I: Dr. DING Li (Hainan Normal University)

2018–2020 Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong; Conservation Fund; HK$599,722
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Co-I: Dr. Yik-Hei SUNG (Hong Kong Baptist University)
Conservation genomics of the critically endangered golden coin turtle (Cuora trifasciata) and application to ex-situ breeding and wildlife DNA forensics

2018–2019 Lingnan University; Faculty Research Grant; HK$49,950
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Systematic study on the freshwater snail genus Sinotaia (family Viviparidae, Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda) from China using morphological and molecular methods

2017–2018 Croucher Foundation; Chinese Visitorship; HK$144,000
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Co-I: Dr. SHU Fengyue (Qufu Normal University)

2017 Croucher Foundation; Chinese Visitorship; HK$144,000
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Co-I: Dr. LIN Liu (Hainan Normal University)

2016–2020 Research Grants Council; Early Career Scheme; HK$827,773
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Developing environmental DNA approaches to study the ecology and conservation of endangered Hong Kong turtles

research (co-I) (total hk$16,935,047)

2025–2026 Hong Kong Government; Environment and Conservation Fund; HK$500,000
PI: Dr. Anthony LAU
Co-I: Dr. Jack Chi Ho IP, Dr. Hin Fat Alphonse TSANG, Dr. Jonathan FONG
Environment and Conservation Fund–Integration of eDNA techniques into wildlife monitoring and management of Mai Po Nature Reserve

2025–2028 Research Grants Council; Research Impact Fund; HK$7,900,000
PI: Dr. HUI Jerome Ho-lam (CUHK)
Co-I: Dr. CHAN Ting Fung (CUHK), Dr. Cheung Siu-gin (HKU), Dr. FANG James Kar-Hei (PolyU), Dr. Jonathan FONG, Dr. Juan Diego GAITAN-ESPITIA (HKU), Dr. Stanley CK LAU (HKUST), Dr. MAN Yu Bon (EdUHK), Dr. WEI Yingying (CUHK), Dr. WONG Chris Kong Chu (HKBU)
EarthBioGenome Project Hong Kong: Butterflies and Next generation of scientists

2024–2026 Hong Kong Government; Environment and Conservation Fund; HK$900,000
PI: Dr. Anthony LAU
Co-I: Dr. Jonathan FONG, Dr. Ken SO Ying Kin
Monitoring and Eradication of Invasive Crayfish Using Mark-Recapture and eDNA Methods

2024–2026 Hong Kong Government; Environment and Conservation Fund; HK$1,198,994
PI: Dr. HUI Tin Yan
Co-I: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Forgotten Habitat: Physical Environments and Biodiversity Patterns of Hong Kong Intertidal Boulder Fields

2024–2026 Hong Kong Government; Lantau Conservation Fund; HK$2,314,669
PI: Dr. Roger Ho LEE
Co-I: Tsz Wi LOONG, Dr. Jonathan FONG, Dr. Benoit Guenard (University of Hong Kong)
Revitalising farmland ecology to conserve insect pollinators and ecosystem services in Mui Wo

2023–2026 Hong Kong Government; Environment and Conservation Fund; HK$889,000
PI: Dr. Roger Ho LEE
Co-I: Dr. Benoit GUENARD (University of Hong Kong), Dr. Jonathan FONG
Nature-based greening solutions for insect pollinator conservation and sustainable agriculture development

2022–2024 Hong Kong Government; Environment and Conservation Fund; HK$794,080
PI: Dr. Simon SIN (University of Hong Kong)
Co-I: Dr. Yik-Hei SUNG, Dr. Jonathan FONG
Assessment of the population status of the endangered Hong Kong cascade frog (Amolops hongkongensis)

2021–2023 Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong; Conservation Fund; HK$392,680
PI: Dr. Yik-Hei SUNG
Co-I: Brian KATONA, Dr. Jonathan FONG, Anthony YEUNG (Hong Kong Society of Herpetology)
New technological and traditional behavioral approaches for freshwater turtle conservation

2021–2022 Hong Kong Government; Environment and Conservation Fund; HK$500,000
PI: Dr. Anthony LAU
Co-I: Dr. Yik-Hei SUNG, Dr. Jonathan FONG
Territory-wide environmental DNA (eDNA) survey on distribution and status of invasive fish and crayfish

2020–2022 Hong Kong Government; Environment and Conservation Fund; HK$482,400
PI: Dr. Yik-Hei SUNG
Co-I: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Uncover the underground–distribution and population status of endemic blind snakes and Bogadek’s burrowing lizard

2019–2021 Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong; Conservation Fund; HK$488,544
PI: Dr. Yik-Hei SUNG (University of Hong Kong)
Co-I: Dr. Jonathan FONG
A data-driven approach to strengthening trade enforcement of turtles

2018–2020 Hong Kong Government; Environment and Conservation Fund; HK$497,720
PI: Dr. Yik-Hei SUNG (Hong Kong Baptist University)
Co-I: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Filling the knowledge gap–current status of endangered freshwater turtles

2017–2019 Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong; Conservation Fund; HK$576,960
PI: Dr. Yik-Hei SUNG (Hong Kong Baptist University)
Co-I: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Safeguarding freshwater turtle populations in Hong Kong

teaching & knowledge transfer (total hk$4,516,827)

2022–2024 Lingnan University; Teaching Development Grant; HK$196,900
PI: Dr. Helen GENG
Co-I: Dr. Jonathan FONG, Dr. Paulina WONG, Dr. Helen HAN
Implementing carbon footprint in four cluster courses: shaping a path to cross-disciplinary collaboration to achieve SDGs

2022–2024 Environment and Ecology Bureau; Sustainable Development Fund; HK$1,329,520
PI: Science Unit and Office of Service Learning, Lingnan University
Carbon neutral action

2021 Lingnan University; Teaching Development Grant; HK$198,187
PI: Dr. Albert KO Wing Yin
Co-I: Dr. Jonathan FONG, Dr. Jasper VAN HOLSTEIJN, Dr. Zoe XIAO
Mini-MOOC for engaging students through self-directed skills-based learning in an uncertain educational environment

2020–2021 Lingnan University; Innovation and Impact Fund, Entrepreneuership Programme; HK$80,000
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Co-I: Dr. Albert KO Wing Yin, Dr. Aloysius AROKIARAJ (Office of Service Learning) 
Establishing an affordable, accessible solution to the water challenges in developing countries

2019–2020 Environmental Campaign Committee; Environmental Education and Community Action Projects; HK$1,887,906
PI: Outdoor Wildlife Learning Hong Kong (OWLHK)
Co-I: Dr. Jonathan FONG
ECF Exploring WILD Lantau

2019–2020 Cross-Institutional Capacity Building for Service Learning in Hong Kong Higher Education Institutions; Support Programme for Service-Learning Action Research; HK$10,000
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Investigating the impacts of intergenerational collaboration on service-learning projects

2017–2019 Environmental Campaign Committee; Environmental Education and Community Action Projects; HK$736,616
PI: Outdoor Wildlife Learning Hong Kong (OWLHK)
Co-I: Dr. Jonathan FONG
ECF joyful learning in forest ecology–board game-outdoor-environmental education

2017 Lingnan University; Knowledge Transfer Project Fund; HK$69,850
PI: Dr. Mark MCGINLEY
Co-I: Dr. Jonathan FONG, Outdoor Wildlife Learning Hong Kong (OWLHK)
Developing intergenerational education and partnerships to encourage conservation of reptiles and amphibians in Hong Kong 

2015–2016 Lingnan University; Centre for the Advancement of Outcomes Based Education; HK$7,848
PI: Dr. Mark MCGINLEY
Co-I: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Testing instruments to assess learning outcomes of the Science, Technology, and Society Core Curriculum Cluster

government tenders (total hk$1,562,612)

2024 Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; HK$1,344,000
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Camera surveillance and trap search for freshwater turtle population key sites

2023 Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; HK$119,700
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
DNA analysis, stable isotope, fecal, and age estimation analysis on seized freshwater turtles (3 projects)

2022 Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; HK$49,900
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
DNA analysis on seized freshwater turtles

2020–2021 Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; HK$49,012
PI: Dr. Jonathan FONG
Detection of European Eel (Anguilla anguilla) from water samples by DNA metabarcoding method